Clipper City Heavy Seas Red Sky At Night

Brewed by Clipper City Brewing Co.
Style: Saison
Baltimore, Maryland USA

Preview of the as-yet unreleased 2008 Red Sky at the brewery tour. I enjoyed this a lot. It is a little bitter, wheaty, a bit sweet but not too sweet, and very smooth, with a crisp finish. This is the second saison I have had, and I am liking them more and more. There is an excellent blend of flavors that complement each other well.

Pours a five-finger white head that fades quickly leaving some lace. Clear pale amber color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Barnyard funky nose. Flavor is sour apple and lemon, lingering sour finish. Mellows as it warms. The higher ABV is not noticeable. $1.75 for a 12 oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Pours a daytime sunny yellow with tons of carbonation and decent head and limited lacing. The smell is Belgium sweet, some citrus some spice, but noting overpowering or noticeable. The taste is good for a saison, which makes it much easier to drink. A sweet malt that has medium complexity and sweet candy and a slight peppery aftertaste. The yeast brings a tanginess and a citrus like taste to it. Some cardoard flavors. Overall I think this is a good beer for those starting Saisons. Although I think there could be more taste, more fruitiness, to bring out more of the style.

Pours a cloudy orange with a small white head. I swear this stuff smells like green olives. Flavor was a little sweet with little aftertaste. Not a fan.

Crystal clear, with a small but dense head, which lingers, leaving scant lacing on the glass. Aroma is spicy, fruity with notes of pepper. Fruit is mostly candied citrus, followed closely by some soft clove and white pepper. Flavor is sweet and spicy, with notes of cardamom backed by some phenols. Finish is spicy and peppery. Body is on the low side of medium.

Light body . Fruity kind of like apple juice. Frothy and creamy strong but light at the same time. Butter and some apple butter to round it out.

Very metallic and overbearing. The alcohol seems to turn the spicing into an egg and curry flavour. Not a fan at all. Transparent red.

Bottle, shared by papsoe. Orange-yellow pour, with a white head. There’s sediments in the bottle. Pale malt, citrus and a sweetish note in the aroma. The flavor is sour and sweet, quite malty, with some spice notes and hints of orange. Medium to thin body, and a fruity finish with a little acidic touch. Drinkable and refreshing, but the beer didn’t convince me it was worthy. (071006)