Heavy Seas - Winter Storm ("Category 5" Ale) - Heavy Seas Beer

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BA SCORE
87
good
-
671 Ratings

THE BROS
90
exceptional
-
read more »

rAvg: 3.85
pDev: 11.69%
Reviews: 478
Hads: 193

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Heavy Seas Beer

Maryland, United States

Style | ABV
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB) | 7.50% ABV

Availability: Winter. bottle (443), on-tap (25), cask (8), growler (2).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

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Reviews

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Reviews by the Alström Bros:

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer review from BA Mag Nov 2007.

Arrrr! You may have missed "Talk Like A Pirate Day" on September 16th, but at least you can drink like one. Yes, this is part of the "Heavy Seas" brand from Clipper City, pirate theme and all--eye patch not included.

Rusty red color, clarity is good. Solid foaming action from medium pour, head retention is stable. Big flamboyant aroma, fruity with expressive alcoholic esters, hops are not shy with thick herbal and citric notes, and the malt draws in caramel, bread crust and cake batter. Fluffy full body, smooth with a light snappy crispness that says "refreshing." Complex flavors flail around, hops and malt battle for domination. The malt is dense with clean toasted grain and sweet caramel flavors while the hops bring a duo of balanced bitterness and an herbal, bitter citric-peel flavor. Middle to end the alcohol comes in with a spicy start and warming finish with suggestions of melon, peaches and raisins. Finishes a little bittersweet.

So this is what an Imperial ESB tastes like--American brewing at its best here even with excessively creative made-up styles. Impressive, yet another seasonal we wish was year-round. Give this one a go especially if you are already sick of the spiced winter warmers that taste like organic toothpaste.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2010 01:20:46 | More by BeerAdvocate

More User Reviews:

BeastLU

Virginia

2.75/5 rDev -28.6%

05-18-2013 15:42:48 | More by BeastLU

wgfxkmf

North Carolina

3.75/5 rDev -2.6%

05-18-2013 03:06:16 | More by wgfxkmf

RicheeD

Pennsylvania

4.5/5 rDev +16.9%

05-17-2013 01:30:10 | More by RicheeD

dalepryor

Kentucky

3.5/5 rDev -9.1%

05-08-2013 04:48:42 | More by dalepryor

schaffer9252

New York

3.75/5 rDev -2.6%

05-04-2013 17:33:52 | More by schaffer9252

superspak

Michigan

3.9/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, best before April 2013. Pours slightly hazy ruby red color with a 1 finger fairly dense cream colored head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of raisin, pear, caramel, toast, brown bread, floral, light pepper, light toffee, and toasted earthiness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of malt notes; with solid strength. Taste of raisin, pear, caramel, toffee, toast, brown bread, floral, pepper, pine, light nuttiness, and earthy spiciness. Good amount of spicy pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of light fruits, caramel, toffee, toast, brown bread, floral, pepper, pine, and earthy spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice balance and complexity of malt and fruity ester flavors; with a good hop balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a creamy and lightly sticky mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a very nice imperial ESB style. Nice complexity of malt/fruity notes with hop balance; and quite smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 03:49:02 | More by superspak