Clipper City Heavy Seas Winter Storm (2005+ -- Imperial ESB)

Pours a dark, slightly hazy golden amber/chestnut brown color with a thin fizzy yellow head that quickly fades. Not much in the way of lacing. Bland aroma with some slightly roasted malt notes, subtle hops and sweet alcohol. Nicely balanced medium body with some caramel malt and hazelnut countering a bitter earthy hop presence. The hop bitterness is pretty tame and not too overpowering but lasts throughout. The ABV is pretty well masked with only some slight alcohol warmth.

This beer was dark orange, and decent looking. Smelled like nothing and tasted weird. I guess I don’t understand the point of an imperial ESB, why not just make a good ESB? Why does everything have to be "Imperial"? It tasted alcoholic and sweet. This beer was not my bag. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 09-05-2007 16:09:00

A pale blush red. Large foamy head. Hazy with visible specks of sediment. Thick creamy lace. Great. Malts sweetly toasted caramel, with hints of sweet berries. Light mocha. Grassy, flowery hop presence. A little sweeter than expected but nice. Sweet cherry liqueur in the taste. The malts come in more sweet in the taste. Caramel and mocha give a balance. Sharp spicy hop, earthy and rustic. Leafy. Creamy and rather thick feel. A tiny burn at the swallow. A good, slightly unbalanced drink. Very drinkable but sweeter than it could be.

Gazing at my Winter Storm from Clipper City Brewing’s Heavy Seas line reminds me that the next season of Deadliest Catch should be starting soon. Every episode I watch almost makes me want to brave those very seas. Almost. I am far flung from the wintry perils of the Bering Seas, but over the years I have seen my fair share of rough and tumble seas. Being at the mercy of Mother Nature’s majestic and deadly beauty is a very sobering reminder of our place in the world.

Glistening mahogany, as if someone had just taken a fresh shine to it, shimmers in the light while dark ruby highlights are reflected in her depths. A small puffy head fades quickly into a ringlet, but some stirring of her seas tosses about scattered clumps of frothy lace while her nose is carried upward for my enjoyment. Warm, sweet, and moist cinnamon apples fresh from the oven seduce while plums, prunes, and raisins add a bit of meat to her body. Lemon and pink grapefruit gives her a playful bite while rum-soaked breads, licorice, vanilla, and wood receive a small helping of maple syrup. A plethora of wintery delights indeed. The rich bready notes soaked in rum and spices is ready and waiting for me as I dive into her inviting depths. Dry winter spices abound, almost like a dry rub on top of my tongue, a generous helping to truly soak in all those flavors. Sweet maple syrup and brown sugar provides a bit of a sweeter undercurrent while rummy warmth lingers long into her finish and my breath. The lemon and pink grapefruit zest nips at the back of my throat after each quaff, and then retreats to let moist dessert breads, rum, and moist plums, prunes, and raisins bring out more maple and brown sugar. This all may sound a bit heavy and cloying, but her mouthfeel and palate is rather bright and refreshingly brisk. Everything is tied together perfectly and as my Winter Storm subsides, I am left pleasantly soaked, but the better for it.

I am reminded a bit of Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale because it too is clean, crisp, and refreshing, just like the Winter Storm from Clipper City Brewing. Weight, body, and mouthfeel aside, she is every bit as wintry as her name suggests, with all the spices, sugars, fruits, breads and rum a person requires to keep their spirits afloat and warm during those chilly months. A brew well-done; not great, but good.

Pours a lacing beige head and a ruby-amber body with particulates. Smells of mellow hops, caramel, and a little metallic. Flavor is caramel, biscuit, mellow citrus hops. Finish has a nice bitterness and is somewhat floral.

Bottle split with curly and barrios at woodys. Pours a near clear burnt orange with thin wispy light tan head. Nose is sweetly floral, with an old mustiness to it, and some caramel. Tastes like old celery hops with some faded spiciness and a distinct metallic penny finish. At least 6 months past the expiration date, this still isn’t all that bad. Would love to try this again fresh.

Pours a nearly clear mahogany with a long lasting head. Nose is Nutty and caramel laden with some citrus flavors peaking through, intriguing. Flavor is malty up front with nice lingering toasted nut and deep caramel quite a hoppy finish with decent bitterness. Though they claim to have used English hops they seem more like american hops. I got some definite citrus flavors not typical of many english hops. Still a very very solid ESB.

Source: 2006, 12 oz bottle. Don’t remember where I purchased it.
Glass: North Coast Snifter.
Appearance: Ruddy brown/orange color with no noticeable head.
Aroma: At this point no hops exist. Sweet malt, caramel and toffee are the dominant notes.
Flavor: Solid malty background with a decent bitter finish. Not much complexity, but generally enjoyable to drink.
Palate: Medium/full body with soft/no carbonation.
Overall: Good beer. Has held up to the years well. Would like to try some fresh though.