Clipper City Heavy Seas Winter Storm (2003-2004 -- IIPA)

Formerly brewed at Clipper City Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Baltimore, Maryland USA

Ever get one of those WTF? moments where you think maybe gremlins have played with your ratings? I just saw this one pop up and went to see what I had written and - NOTHING! Actually I am well aware that I need no other gremlin than myself. I am so inept at jotting down notes on a scrap of paper and either finding it a month or a year later - or not. I do thank Argo0 for getting me this and can just look at TAR’s rating to see that his fairly coincides with my memory of said beer. I thank him for saying it much more eloquently than I would have.

Coppery peach. Clingy and fluffy, dusty-white foam. Bushy, piney hop aroma underlain with rounded citrus notes and sweet, toasted malts. Tolerable amount of phenols releases the malts. Fluffy, loose carbonation. Some hop acidity gently tingles the cheeks, but the airiness arrives in time to curtail it. Sharp, piney hop bitterness rescues the mushy, undefined hop flavors at the center followed by jellied malts and more pine. Although somewhat mild, the tangy and earthy Fuggles come off fairly medicinal when the alcohol kicks in. Finishes well-hopped, yet with a strong malt anchor, leafy hops and a nutty yeast whisper. The moderate dry-hopping does yield some tasty hop belches. Mostly citrus and toast remain after the swallow. Nice balance overall, but lacks style and character to make it memorable.

Slightly hazy copper hue with very good frothy head and excellent lace. The aroma hints of pine and floral hops, grapfruit and orange zest, toasted buttered biscuit and earthy yeast esters. The taste is very IPA like, hoppy and aggressive with a good balance of toasted pale malts and some sublime spicy tones towards the finish. The mouthfeel is lively, twangy, and crisp. The alcohol is very well hidden. A good brew indeed that I wasn’t shocked to see listed as an IIPA, this is no holiday brew. Recommended.

Pours a dark amber brown with a large, tight bubbled, foamy head. Long lasting with beautiful lace. Aroma is powerful sweet citrusy notes with a mild earthyness. Flavor is hop heavy. Nice bitterness on a decent malt body. Great brew.

Copper colored, big bubbly head. Grassy, citric nose. Intense citrus hop bitterness, but otherwise rather thin.

Golden color, thick white head, heavy lacing. Crisp and mildly bubbly on the palate. Little hop presence with a drying finish.

SpringsLicker… Yep, he was the rater that sent me this beer, Thanks!!
Wow! A stunning image in a snifter glass! Gleaming mahogany body and a MASSIVE rocky head that swallows up any extra space in the glass!
The aroma is GIGANTIC!! Big notes of grapefruit and caramelized brownsugar… this East coast brew has West Coast written all over it… and I Likey!! Gimmy some love… The flavor is lighter and airier than I was expecting? Large doses of caramel malt, big notes of grapefruit and guava, even some papaya and mango.. it’s pretty Tropical & citrusy but the caramel suggestions are still abundant. The palate is almost bruit champagne like, airy with and dry finishing.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with this brew!

Pours a reddish amber/orange color with a medium sized off-white head. Lacing is average. Aroma is citrus with some burnt carmel notes. Flavor is decently balanced with some interesting smoke flavors coming through. Body is pretty nice and it finishes dry.