Heavy Seas Loose Cannon - American Hop3 Ale - Heavy Seas Beer

Zraly

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I've had Loose Cannon several times, both in bottles and on tap. It is a consistently good American-style IPA that delivers high marks in terms of interpretation and in taste.

Bottle being reviewed has a consume by date, with notches for June 2008.

Appearance is a nice copper-color, with a pocky head that laces nicely. Carbonation is appropriate and lends to a crisp mouthfeel. Solid show on that front.

What is totally exceptional about Loose Cannon is its wonderful smell. Big, piney-floral hop heaven. I'm half-tempted to dab this at my pulse points and become a marketing ploy for Clipper City. I can't emphasize how good this smells and how it sets up one's palette to enjoy the other components of this ale.

The overall taste is a nice sweet, toasty malt backbone paired with huge citrusy, earthy, "alpine" hops. I say alpine because it seems to cross a huge piney note with a floral note; a wonderful mix of tree and flower notes; a compliment to the Pacific NW hop scene. Medium to medium-heavy body with a smooth, dry finish.

In my mind, this is perfect for someone who enjoys hops, but isn't necessarily a hop head. Balanced and approachable. If you can find it on tap, the experience is even better in terms of smell and mouthfeel. I can, however, recommend that if you purchase in bottles, you will not be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2008 23:40:51 | More by Zraly

mcewesr

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-24-2013 17:01:25 | More by mcewesr

davidsumner

Virginia

3.74/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

aggressive poor - 1-1/2 finger head. Decent lace.

Color- dark golden.

As I live in Chesapeake, Va; I can pick up Heavy Sea's in Walmart, it's on every shelf all the time and I see the delivery truck all the time.

Heavy Sea's also makes an Uber Pilsner ( Small Craft ). This Expression, "Loose Cannon" is very "Pilsner" tasting. They use Munich Malt in it and it definitely has a Pilsner like after taste. So.. with saying that, this isn't a very typical IPA in my opinion. But.... I love good Pilsner and this beer is pretty darn good imho.

I'm a huge fan of Centennial Hops and this has a good Centennial note to it. A little grapefruit/lemon; some floral.... but... it also has the malt sweetness.

Tobacco, walnut, apricot.

This is a decent poor. The finish is dry and short. Again very Pilsner like. This in my opinion is a great light summer, outside, quaffing beer. Would go well with cold sausage, cheese, fruit and crackers.

But if your looking for a more traditional IPA, something warmer, something "Hoppy" then I would skip this.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 17:01:10 | More by davidsumner

brandon911

Texas

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-24-2013 02:56:32 | More by brandon911

jspaner

Maryland

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-24-2013 02:18:18 | More by jspaner

Greenster

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-23-2013 04:25:55 | More by Greenster

memphischas

Tennessee

3.25/5  rDev -20%

05-22-2013 18:34:17 | More by memphischas

puuj

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-22-2013 17:47:10 | More by puuj

DStoked

Ohio

2.5/5  rDev -38.4%

05-22-2013 13:48:28 | More by DStoked

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-22-2013 03:17:19 | More by SmellsofMahagony

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-21-2013 20:29:30 | More by InspectorBob

jakecattleco

California

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-21-2013 19:28:02 | More by jakecattleco

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-20-2013 22:38:22 | More by Slatetank

Stonehill64

2.25/5  rDev -44.6%

05-19-2013 12:44:54 | More by Stonehill64

ChefBenhase

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 18:13:05 | More by ChefBenhase

donovado

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-16-2013 23:04:07 | More by donovado

pheelingIt

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-16-2013 01:52:02 | More by pheelingIt

ajtorres311

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-15-2013 16:30:21 | More by ajtorres311

Bustersuess

New York

3.25/5  rDev -20%

05-14-2013 17:39:47 | More by Bustersuess

harpus

Alabama

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%

05-14-2013 16:09:59 | More by harpus

earlholman

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-14-2013 13:41:31 | More by earlholman

mralbertson

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -7.6%

05-14-2013 03:51:11 | More by mralbertson

buzzy

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%

05-14-2013 02:02:21 | More by buzzy

Loveyourbeer

Virginia

3.25/5  rDev -20%

05-14-2013 01:37:10 | More by Loveyourbeer

Tshack

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%

05-13-2013 12:39:11 | More by Tshack