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

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

An unclear amber beer with a small disappearing orange head. The aroma is lovely sweet with nice notes of hops. The flavor is very sweet with notes of hops, oil, grass, and alcohol.

(12/7/04) Clear light copper body topped by off-white head. Aroma is medium sweet, grapefruit, some caramel, light pepper, spice. Taste is moderately sweet, grapefruit, caramel, light alcohol. Creamy medium-full body, some stickiness. I think I would like it better if it had a bit less sweetness. (7/4/7/4/14). (12/8/03) Crystal clear copper body with creamy medium beige head. Aroma is pink grapefruit. Taste is the same, with light caramel. Creamy medium-full body with light acidity. (7/4/7/4/14)

Clear orange-amber body shows a shy carbonation that still manages to raise a satisfying white head that mostly lasts as a cover. Fading hop character still shows a strong affinity with citrus fruit, over a woody, earthy bed of bittering hops that may have lost some of their power. The malts have lost none of their lust on the other hand. A pointy toastiness peaks left and right, feeling adding some lager character to the sweeter crystals. Biscuity nature could use a heftier carbonation to distribute the flavors more evenly, it feels a little underattenuated at this late age, with heavy bitterness, but still a fair bit of residual sugars. Medium bodied, slightly oily feel. No oxidation trace. Good, but barely in the shadow of the most aromatics and cohesive examples.

Hazy, copper ale with a medium-sized, creamy, off-white head. Decent retention and good, creamy lacework. The nose is of sherry, black pepper, grapefruit, light caramel and cologne. Bitter from beginning to end. Generous malt as well. Full-bodied with a very dry mouthfeel and lively carbonation. Lengthy, mojave-dry finish. Great stuff!

Pours a clear copper amber with a thick, well-lacing off-white head. Wonderful boisterous western hop aroma smacks you around before you take a sip and reveals the thick caramel malt beneath. Body has a nice toffee sugary sweetness before the hops take over. Light hints of fruit and a clean crisp hoppy finish. A very nice american strong ale, that borders on the line of a double IPA. Thanks urbnhautebourg!

I am surprised to see this listed as an imperial/double IPA. It is more fruity and malty than hoppy. Quite sweet.

Pours red with a foamy head and a nice hoppy aroma. Tastes slightly bitter and hoppy with floral undertones. Very nice.

Bottled: Light amber coloured. Unclear. Light beige medium sized head. Fruit, malt and loads of hops in the aroma. Very fresh. Flavour is fruity as well and wiht loads of hops notes. Some spice notes present. Ends in a nice bitterness with long lasting.