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

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Extra malted and hopped ESB that has aroma of alcohol along with a bit of hop and malt aroma, is a bit on thin of mouthfeel and has cloudy orangey colour, but taste pretty good. Very dry finish and aftertaste. Could pass as a bit of a strong ale,more so than an IPA. thanks Dr.Jay.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2007 04:39:35 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Transparent ochre with bright orange edges. The fantastic looking head is currently filling as much of the glass as the beer. It's orangish ecru in color, velvety firm and melts in intriguing fashion. Interlocking, abstract squiggles of lace adhere to the glass.

The nose is pungently hoppy, but isn't quite explosive enough to compete with the big boys. Caramel-covered grapefruit rind and evergreen boughs emanate from the glass. The hop bill includes some of my favorites: Magnum, Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial and Chinook. None of them really outshines the others.

There's a little less flavor than I would like. CCB Winter Storm is firmly malted, with an upfront sweetness and a slick mouthfeel. It fits the DIPA style like hand in glove (note: so why was it recently changed to an ESB?). Given the five incredible hop varieties in this bottle, the overall amount of hoppiness leaves a little something to be desired. It's definitely good, but I've had IPAs that were hoppier. White grapefruit is still the standout, followed by pine sap and bitter orange.

Although the flavor is increasing a tad with warming, this still isn't a bud buster. The mellowly hoppy finish is prolonged thanks to a mouthfeel that fits squarely between medium and full. A laid back amount of carbonation is perfect for the task at hand.

Winter Storm is sub-titled "Category 5" Ale. I'm going to have to downgrade it to a much less dangerous "Category 4". There's a lot to like, but when judged against its peers, it doesn't have enough of what makes the DIPA style hum. Namely hops. It's still mighty tasty beer. Thanks to meathookjones for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2005 18:59:02 | More by BuckeyeNation

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a tulip. Pours a moderate copper color with a white head and a dose of lacing. The nose is fairly hoppy with some floral and earthy notes. Nice caramel notes. The taste is pretty good with a mild hoppiness. Feel is light and a tad bit harsh. Drinks fairly well and is a nice concept.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 02:50:19 | More by Thorpe429

brentk56

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2006 version

Appearance: Pours a hazy dark caramel color with a frothy head that leaves many shards of lacing

Smell: Malty aroma with a considerable earthy, piney element

Taste: Starts with an piney malty balanced flavor that becomes considerably bitter right before the swallow; the finish is a long, balanced melding of the two flavors that is earthy and complex; slightly metallic finish which is a demerit

Mouthfeel: Medium body (a touch too thin for an Imperial) with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: I like this version much better than last year's; the style has departed from the norm and this Imperial ESB concept is intriguing and enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2006 02:38:38 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle - $1.79 at Hop City in Atlanta, Georgia. Purchase Before: February 2010.

Appearance: Pours out a translucent, darkened amber body with a finger-high, off-white head. Very thin, very sheer lacing on the way down.

Smell: Well-toasted malts seasoned with sugar and spice and a small dash of dried citrus peels, with just hint of alcohol in the background.

Taste: Malt profile tasting of deeply toasted and subsequently crushed bread crusts sweetened with a generous mixture of both brown sugar and common, ordinary, everyday table sugar. Slight fruitiness. Earthy, zesty, citrusy hop profile with a medium-high bitterness. The initial sweet, sugary quality comes straight back into the taste alongside the persistent bitterness for a bittersweet, lightly crisp finish at the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Drinkability: It's alright, I suppose. It's sweet, it's got ample bitterness, and alcohol (though thankfully not anymore than it does). Personally, I've never been overly enamored with the Heavy Seas line-up, but you could certainly do alot worse than this.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2009 20:36:28 | More by ChainGangGuy

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is a big ESB; nearly approaching strong ale strength and flavors. Begins with a piney-sweet, malty-spice aroma that captured clean fermentations aromas, citrus, and pecans. Flavors begin and remain with a strong balance of barley malt and assertive hops (I think they may have sneaked in an American hop or two). Remains strong well into the finish. Body is heavy for the style which hurts the drinkability, but the access flavors I find pleasant and bold. Almost minty fresh in the finish with a mild drying, partly from alcohol, partly from hops. You'll likely find this brew in my fridge until they disappear from the shelves.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2006 13:51:30 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

My first St. Patty's day beer of the day.Poured a rich deep copper with a tight 1/2 finger head that left a light sheet of lace behind as it settled,big dose of herbal hop in the nose somewhat grassy with a noticable caramel malt note underneath.Not a bitter double IPA by any means and well balanced piney and herbal hop notes over top a big sweet caramel malt base the alcohol seems to really come in play as it warms in the finish.This is not an in your face hopped up double IPA just a well balanced big hopped brew,I liked it.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2006 22:33:59 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Winter Storm delivers a dark orange body beneath a frothy head of ivory foam that holds very well and leaves short walls of lace on the side of the glass. The nose displays clear, grapefruity and piney hops, but it's not overtly bold, and the flavor is very much the same way. Its lightly caramelish malt works in unison with its firm bitterness and floral/citrus/pine hop flavors to deliver a solid, well-rounded and well-balanced beer... but it doesn't hit you on the head. It does leave it quite drinkable, however, and the only thing lacking is enough complexity to keep you coming back again and again. Still, this is a solid IPA that probably deserves more attention than it gets.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2005 21:53:06 | More by NeroFiddled

metter98

New York

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear dark reddish amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high beige head that hardly died down and left a coating of bubbles down the side of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of citrusy hops in the nose along with some hints of fruity yeast. Malts become apparent as the beer warms up.
T: The taste has some flavors of citrus hops like the smell but is maltier with flavors of nuts, toast and sulfur along with a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a pretty good ESB on its own but the use of citrus hops makes it unique compared to other beers in the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 03:53:05 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Clear, crimson coloring, a thick, puffy, creamy head, as poured into the Belgian tulip glass I chose to employ for this tasting. Looks nice.

Aroma is fruity, rosy, vibrant. Hoppy, yes, but none too bitter. Mainly fruity, though there's dull thud at the end. Doesn't give quite enough projection in this nose.

Taste: again, fruity, hoppy, but too short in that regard. Apples, melons, cherries, and a bit of citrus. Pleasant, but rather simple and shy of the bombast we'd espect from a 7.5% Double IPA. The hops, what there are, are treating the palate with kid gloves, when we really would rather get it rough.

Medium bodied, light, fruity finish. Alcohol burn starts to show further in, but doesn't flare. Too simplistic for the style, but, beyond that, not a bad IPA at all. Very warming, inside the mouth and out.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2005 09:50:57 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

The beer pours an amber color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a nice malty scent that boasts of pale and roasted malts along with a bitter hop aroma. There seems to be good balance in the aroma. The hops compliment a darker malt bill, but lose some of their aromatic character. The taste is decent also. It has a very bitter hop flavor that comes at you hard and stays with you through the finish. The malt bill warms you, but it loses the balance and finishes empty. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a medium bodied beer with good carbonation. This seems better suited as a full bodied beer. This is a pretty good beer, but it could use some tweeking. The hops roar, but it needs more body. Still, a decent drinker.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2006 00:38:49 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer on tap at a local beer bar in a snifter. Beer is dark amber and clear with a huge tan head of small bubbles, some lacing but low retention and low lacing.

Aroma is a little sulfury and a little malty, overall fine.

Beer is a little rough to drink though. Harsh sulfur midpalate flavor. The finish is a little dry but overall it is a decent little beer. Not my favorite but I might have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 23:44:25 | More by drabmuh

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

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

On-tap 2/27/09 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of caramelized malts, a good amount of hops and some citrus.

T: The taste is well-balanced with a hearty malt character, a strong hops bitterness and background flavors of caramel and citrus. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, it's a good beer to drink for a long time if you're in the mood for a slightly stronger beer in this style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2009 21:40:17 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out with a nice looking amber color with a light cream colored head on top. The smell of the beer was malty, it didn't have much of a bitter aroma at all. The taste of the beer was interesting, I felt like I was getting hints of Pine in there. The mouthfeel of the beer was basically normal, not anything that really impressed me on that level. Overall this beer wasn't bad, I think it's one that I'd try again just to give it another go.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 02:26:48 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Got this one from Sebletije, cheers Seb!

Pours copper with a finger of sand colored head. Very good head retention

S: Slight brown bread notes

T: Caramel, a touch of leafy hops, some dryness & brown sugar up front. Herbal hops, more caramel, a touch of toffee & dryness as this warms. Finishes with slight grapefruit hoppyness, plus leafy hops more caramel & a kiss of vanilla???

MF: Medium bodied, semi-sticky, fairly low carbonation, great balance

Drinks pretty easy for the ABV, a nice heavy hitting example of the style. One of the better beers from this brewery IMO

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 03:45:48 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

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

Pours brilliantly clear, with no sediment at all (despite claims to the contrary on the label). The beer is topped by a frothy, initially three-finger thick, creamy-tan colored head. The aroma is nice and hoppy with a berry like hop note as well as a herbaceaus, sometimes grassy note to it. Behind this is a dry, biscuit-like malt character that at times smells like fresh from the oven bread crust. The hop character is definitely the dominant note in the aroma though.

Quite sweet, this really amplifies that berry note from the aroma. Flavors of sweet citrus are also found here. The beer is not quite as thick as the sweetness might suggest; it is certainly chewy, with lots of caramelized malt sugars. It seems to lean towards simpler malt sugars that are more directly sweet, but alot of the percieved sweetness could be an amplification of the fruity hop notes. There are some nice sharp notes here as well and these provide some balance to the hop fruit notes and the sweet malt. Green, herbal hop notes and a solid bitterness add notes of astringecy to the flavor profile that is quite nice.

A touch of hot alcohol is noticeable at times, but it is fairly hidden and seems to be brought out a bit by the sharp, herbal hop notes. This is quite an impressive hop focussed beer. I am really quite pleased by the quality of the two hop monster's I have had from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2007 04:26:59 | More by Gueuzedude

Gavage

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a dark amber color with a nice 2" fluffy head with a few big bubbles. Mild lacing develops through the drink.

Smell: easily detectable floral hops and citrus.

Taste: the malt level is quite up front, as caramel and roasted tones are strong but nicely balanced with grapefruits and an average bitterness which does not overwhelm. Alcohol is barely noticeable.

Mouthfeel: mainly smooth with a light crispness and finishes dry. Medium bodied.

Drinkabilty: this does not overwhelm the tastebuds, and several of these can be quaffed in a session. Not great, but enjoyable and worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2006 12:45:03 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Best by May '08 (barely) notched on label (though another bottle I have doesn't have anything notched):

Pours copperish amber with a thin head that becomes a patch.

The smell is citric and earthy with caramel coming through.

The taste is citric and earthy with an herb-like, almost tannic, bitterness that interferes with a maltiness that is caramelish/toffeeish/almost chocolatey. Alcohol a bit raw and somewhat too noticeable (even for higher abv). Bitterish finish.
Near full-bodied, but more medium.

Nice smell, but the hops (which I normally would welcome - as I did on the smell) seem out -of -whack here. The noticeable alcohol and tannic finish slow this one down. Not bad, but wouldn't be among my top choices for a winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 14:28:23 | More by jwc215

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Caramel amber hue big velvety cream tan colored head leaves fine intricate lacing. Aroma: Sharp grassy citrus notes very aromatic big caramel malt base wow, yep I could sit around and smell this one for awhile nice. Taste: Strong bitterness lies in the middle of a fluid balance of flavors, somewhat mild for a double IPA nowadays but very good nonetheless. Big herbal juicy hop bursts with slightly burnt citrus peel notes puckering the lips mellowed by sugary sweet caramel malts nice brew. Mouthfeel: Medium bodied evenly carbonated sugary slightly sticky texture nice. Drinkability: Excellent really drinkable DIPA so flavorful but not overbearing in anyway very nice version, probably the best beer I've had from Clipper City.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2004 21:55:07 | More by WVbeergeek

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Good starting head but it dies a little too quickly; very little lace. Light brown color, reasonably clear.

Dark crystal malt aroma--slightly sweet. Great hop kick at the end.

On the dry side (surprising, considering the smell). Full bodied, but not quite creamy. Peppery hop swallow and aftertaste. There's a dry darker malt flavor that comes out in the aftertaste. Great complexity and blend of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 18:59:01 | More by smcolw

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a dark aged copper body that is crystal clear with a thick creamy head that is light tan but last and last , sticking to the sides when it settles. This beer has a gentle carbonation with no sign of yeast.

S- This beer has a deep green dark hops note with a fresh malt note with some light toasted qualities. The aroma is big with the hop blending nicely with the malt complexity.

T- This beer has a big hops flavor on the first few sips that dominate the flavor. Then the softer sweet pale malt and caramel malt flavors come through with a hint of dry toasted malt in the background. The hops flavors continues dominates the finish nicely.

M- This beer has a medium-full mouthfeel with a creamy texture and a faint alcohol presents that is not really a head but smoothes out the sweetness very nicely.

D- This beer has a big hops that overpower the malts a bit but both are big fresh flavors. This is a strong ESB and the best, and only, Imperial ESB, I have had.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2007 02:31:23 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to shaebs99 and ThorsHammer for this brew.

Pours a nice clean/clear dark golden amber/orange color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tan head, which leaves some nice sticky lacing. The nose is malty, hoppy, slight citrus/pines, and lots of caramel. The taste is bitter, malty, hoppy, tones of citrus/pines, and caramel. The finish is bitter and dry. Medium body. Very drinkable, one of the best I've had from CC, recommended, Thanks Steve and Eric.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2008 00:03:34 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a decent fizzy 1/2 finger head that fades slowly, some lacing sticking to it, mostly clear ruby mahogany color.

Nose has some earthy slightly herbal hops, light fruitiness, sweet caramel reddish malts, little candy like malts, hint grassy hops.

Taste starts with sweetness, sweet malts, candy like slightly syrupy rich caramel reddish malts, little nutty even, although that quickly turns to bitterness, quite bitter with earth chewy hops, slightly herbal and very little grassy, hint of pine even, but mostly a chewy hop flavor with a light spiciness. Finish is a bit drier which helps since it was so sweet, long lingering earthy spicy chewy slightly herbal hop profile, hint of candied orange peel as well, and touch of candy malts.

Mouth is med to fuller bodied, decent carb.

Overall OK, but not great. Not my fav style, although this shies away from the over herbal vegetal grassy hops I really don't like in most ESBs. It's quite bitter and a nice malty balance though, although it does get a bit too sweet. But overall done pretty well.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 20:36:06 | More by jlindros

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a three finger cream head that fades slowly to a thin layer leaving a good lace. Nice clear amber color. Mix of hops and malt nose. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Flavor is almost sweet caramel with the hops balancing. Better than an ESB - brewer calls this an imperial ESB which fits. $2.00 for a 12oz bottle from Tullys Beer & Wine Wells, Me. Best before Mar 2009.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2008 23:39:19 | More by jdhilt

Billolick

New York

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ouncer sampled, label has area for freshness dating, but no matter how close I look, nothing has been notched/marked, oh well. This one pours a nice glowing orangy amber, white tiny bubble head/film and respectable lacing. Nose is a citrusy/resiny blend. Barely respectable DIPA. Ratings seem high to me, as this one is sort of mushy body wise. This is a decent IPA ,but Double? C'mon get real. Could be more firm and crisp to get a higher rating from me. Does have a nice hoppy finish (not the crunch to be expected from a top DIPA however) and lots of caramel malts. This is the best offering I can recall trying from Clipper City

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2005 02:30:54 | More by Billolick