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

rev3rb

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottom Line Up Front: This is a nice medium body IPA that goes down smoothly. A great IPA offering from Heavy Seas.

Poured a 12oz bottle into a snifter.

Appearance: Has a average slightly dark golden color with a fairly good head and no real lacing around the glass.

Smell: Very mild hop smell that might be quite easy to overlook. Nothing really appealing nor detracting about the smell.

Taste: For an IPA I consider this having a mild/medium body yet quite drinkable. Has a slight hoppy aftertaste that is not unpleasant.

Mouthfeel: Has an average amount of carbonation that contributes to a medium body mouthfeel.

Overall: I like this IPA from Heavy Seas and consider this one in my top 10 for IPAs. I consider this IPA another good introduction to IPAs since it's not too astringent yet has a great ABV of 7.25% that adds to it's body. If you haven't tried it and you're a fan of IPAs give this one a go.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 17:47:25 | More by rev3rb

sardonicone

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

So I'm admittedly a late comer to IPA's. It took me a while to get my pallet adjusted to the hoppieness that tends to follow. Floral and or Piney tones did not sound delicious. But as with everything it's an acquired taste, one that over the last year or so, I have definitely acquired.

That being said, this little number was for sale at my local carry-out/smoke shop. They do a pretty good job as far as carrying craft choices, and the entire family is rather friendly, and I have to admit, the daughter is easy on the eyes. But this isn't about THEM it's about this beer.

Poured yet again into a 16 oz tumbler, I know, I know. I need more glasses. Next Friday.

A: Vigorous pour produced a three finger, cream colored frothy head. Beer itself is a deep amber. Head retention itself was impressive, as while the first finger dissipated rather quickly, the other two remained throughout the beer itself.

S: Sweet floral tones, reminiscent of Honey Suckle and a warm spring day. A slight, potpourri like burn on the very end, perhaps the alcohol mixing with the added hops to say "hello, drink meI"

T: Smooth, flowery upfront with the familiar backbite from a hoppy, alcohol finish. To be honest while this was a pleasant tasting beer, it wasn't as complex as I imagined it would be.

M: Medium bodied with light carbonation. Again smooth, but nothing that jumps off the charts or is readily eye opening.

O: Definitely a decent fairing beer, and while the taste and mouthfeel were fine, I feel they were overshadowed by the appearance and smell. It lead to a lot of hype that I felt the rest of the sampling couldn't live up to. I would buy again, though I feel there are other IPA's out there that would come first. Still a solid member to have in your rotation if these are your cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 22:05:51 | More by sardonicone

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.4/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a slightly hazy orange color with a 1 finger head and very little lacing.

S: Mostly floral hops, some malt, bread, and alcohol. Not enough alcohol to warrant the smell.

T: Floral and citrus hop flavors, sweet malts, and alcohol. Balances pretty well actually.

M: Light to medium bodied with good carbonation.

O: I'm not too fond of the smell, but other than that it's a pretty good beer. It doesn't hide the alcohol as well as most IPA's with similar ABV's, but it's still easy to drink. I probably won't buy it again considering all of the superior options available, but I'm glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 02:52:39 | More by nUgZ

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes.

I poured this bottle into a hotel cup. That is the height of beer tasting.

The coloring is vibrant orange with a minimal head on top.

Off the top I get citrus and flowery hops.

The flavor is more citrus and some pineyness. At the end of each drink I get some herbal presence.

Overall a pretty good IPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 00:25:24 | More by ummswimmin

DarkBeer

4.83/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a good IPA that is not too bitter. The IBU rating is only 45, which makes it easy to drink a good number of them in one sitting because they go down easy. There is a pleasant smell to the beer, a floral and hoppy scent. The taste is similar to the smell and has well blended rich flavors of hops with hints of floral. There are four different strains of hops and three types of malt, and these flavors are really well blended. The carbonation is good quality and gives it a good feel. It's a very good beer, something I can drink regularly.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 21:29:31 | More by DarkBeer

jtd1969

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Golden with an orange tint, well carbonated with good lacing

S - Floral, piney some bread

T - Malt + Hops = delicious, Well balanced with lots of citrusy/tropical hops(Mango) that are work well with the malt. Malt blends perfectly

M - Medium bodied, good carbonation, smooth as butter

O - Very good IPA, A friend and I go back and forth on how good it is compared to others (Racer 5, Sculpin,) It might not reach those levels, but it's pretty darn close!!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 21:47:36 | More by jtd1969

AmitC

Indiana

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Hazy, particles suspended in the beer. comparatively Light amber color. Very few bubbles and decent carbonation.

Smell : 3 times hopped with aroma and bitterness hops. Well not so much. A decent smell. Nothing awe inspiring. Citrusy piney and malty notes in smell.

Taste : Taste is bitter but is more complex than just that. Bitterness is felt but only when it enters. I would assume mild hops.

Mouth feel : Medium to light bodied. Not very oily despite being 3 times hopped.

Overall decent ipa with a good alcohol strength.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 22:40:38 | More by AmitC

flagmantho

Washington

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

Poured from 12oz bottle into a dimpled mug.

Appearance: pale orange hue with a moderate haze and a moderate effervescence. Head is a finger of frothy ivory foam with a decent lace on the glass. Not bad.

Smell: strong malt aroma with a big dose of dank, citrusy hops. There's also a bready quality to the malt. Not bad, but I feel like it's all very muddled and I don't love it.

Taste: citrusy hops come out much more to the forefront and the breadiness of the malt is more subsided. The flavor is much more enticing than the aroma. I rather like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a big carbonation and a satisfying, mouth-filling creaminess. I like it.

Overall: actually a pretty decent IPA. The aroma leaves something to be desired, but otherwise it's quite good.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 02:57:21 | More by flagmantho

thegodfather1076

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: Very cool label with some interesting and unique artwork. Has a comedic twist to the artwork.

Appearance: Poured out of a 12oz bottle into a 20oz dimpled mug. Pours a clear golden-yellow/orange with a 1½ finger off white slightly thick foam head. Head retention was 2min before finally fading to a frothy foam coating.

Smell/Aroma: Smells of sweet grapefruit and citrus with a great floral hop presence. A bit of pine can be detected as well.

Flavor/Taste: Huge citrus presence on the front end. Grapefruit and mango are detectable. Only slightly bitter considering a very hoppy presence throughout. Some sweet toasty malt come through on the back end to finish out. Excellent.

MouthFeel: Medium-bodied feel but definitely bordered on the lighter side of medium bodied. Average carbonation.

Drinkability: Very smooth and drinkable.

Overall/Comments: An excellent example of the American IPA. I always compare my IPAs to Stone IPA and this is not quite as good but can surely hold its own with most IPAs out there. Highly recommend trying this. Classified as an American IPA at 7.25% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 06:30:50 | More by thegodfather1076

jellikit

Washington

3.13/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: golden orange. Small bubbles, thin head.

Smell: candy sugar-faint. Orange blossom.

Taste: grain with a tarry bitterness. Alcohol backer.

Mouthfeel: medium-high carbonation for an IPA. Medium body. Think Barbara Walters (I'm sure her body is just fine for an 80 yr old, but it's weird).

Overall: this beer is ok. It has a pleasant smell. But the taste is lackluster. Followed by a bitterness that over powers the palate. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 04:16:51 | More by jellikit

Mojo

Alabama

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours up a hazy deep straw color (not quite deep enough to call it amber) with a one finger off white head and plenty of lacing. The smell is very fruity, apples, oranges, lemon, and some caramel, and floral accents. Mouthfeel is a little thin, but not watery. Taste is excellent with a strong grapefruitiness well balanced by strong hops on the finish. A nice offering that I would recommend if you love the hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 03:07:05 | More by Mojo

croixian1

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank straight from the bottle (yea I know, how uncivilized!) so no comments on color or head. But the flavor and mouthfeel were both superb. Deep-roasty hops aroma. very soft in the mouth with hints of pine, chocolate, toasted breads and bold citrus - perhaps grapefruit. Sweet aftertaste with lots of hops left on the tongue. A delicious beer!

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 19:38:34 | More by croixian1

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a clear golden color with a big billowy white head. The head fades over a moderate amount of time to give a fair level of lacing.

Smell – The aroma is a mix of sweet and hoppy. The sweet is largely of a caramel smell with a light bready aroma mixed within. The hop smell is almost entirely of a grapefruit and lemon citrus, although some light notes of a grassy smell are present as well.

Taste – The taste begins with the sweet caramel and bread, as was detected in the nose. The hops start coming in quickly with a good dose of grapefruit hop tastes which bitter the flavor some. Soon some pine and herbal hops then enter the taste profile. These mingle rather well with the citrus and sweet malt flavors and in the end, level a nice hop flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the slightly creamier side with the carbonation level being rather average. The creaminess is good for the hop flavors, while the carbonation level makes it more refreshing.

Overall – Even at 7.25 % abv it is very easy to drink with rather smooth flavor transitions. A easy drinking stronger IPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 00:35:41 | More by Darkmagus82

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

2.85/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured a half inch custard head of medium life. The body is a hazy sienna yellow color. It smells of piney hops and caramel. Taste is actually milder than the smell and comes across a little soapy to me. Plus the body seems much thinner than other IPAs. Either I got a lame bottle or this beer doesn't live up to the hype.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 08:51:14 | More by MoreThanWine

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on cask at Stoddards in Boston.

Appearance: it poured a one finger head that has retained to a puffy level. It is a copper amber color with great clarity and random signs of bubbles.

Smell: very citrusy up front and followed by a nice malty back bone. Pineapples, mangos, and grapefruit are most noticeable.

Taste: Delicious!!! This is very tropical tasting from the super dose of hops at all levels. This beer is very tasty and Tass slight hint of booze too.

Mouthfeel: smooth, low to medium bodied, low carbonation, and easy to drink too.

Overall: bottle, draft, and now cask. Love them all. Cask to me was the best out of all three.

Serving type: cask

08-16-2012 02:07:23 | More by Flounder57

HarrySTruman

Michigan

2.88/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Nice, big, fluffy white head that maintained for quite a while. Heavy lacing.

Smells of caramel malts, yeast and resin.

I've read a few reviews that said this tasted more of a APA than an IPA and I disagree. The flavor profile leaned more towards malts than hops, and the sweetness of the malts were a bit over powering. This beer was a curve ball for most IPA's. I wouldn't even call it balanced, I would say it was more malt than hops. Not much bitterness or citrus flavors at all, more sweet and grassy, with a bit of resin than anything.

Easy to drink with the ABV.

I'd say this is a good beer if you aren't expecting the normal IPA. Sweeter than normal, but still good tasting and easy to drink, I just don't think it does much for the style, which is why some of the scores I gave it were a bit low. I would drink it again, but I won't be in any rush to get more of it.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 05:38:24 | More by HarrySTruman

Titans77

Maryland

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

Had FRESH in a bottle. Dated to expire in Nov. 2012 with 4 months to spare in July.

A - Standard golden IPA look. A half finger of head with no alcohol legs. Looks solid.

S - Citrus hops with a bit of a grassy smell. Different, but intriguing...

T - Citrus hops with a good bit of grassy taste to it. It seems to be a background flavor.

M - Very crisp and refreshing. Light carbonation and smooth.

O - A very good IPA. An IPA to try if you aren't into the "hop bomb" style yet. It is subtle enough to please most people. I recommend to pick this up if you haven't.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 04:00:57 | More by Titans77

kylehay2004

Florida

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: thin head on a slightly hazy copper body.

S: Caramel malts, earthy hops with slight bitterness to the aroma.

T: malt forwards IPA with muted citrus, floral and earthy hop notes. They say this one is "hop cubed" but they must be using a third of the hops each time compared to your typical IPA!

M: medium body and moderate to high carbonation.

Overall: this beer seems a little overhyped. It is good and very drinkable but when I think of beers falling in the 4.5 or exceptional category IPA style, this one is comparably weak. Not a bad beer though overall.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2012 22:05:22 | More by kylehay2004

dexterk1

Illinois

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

Poured into pint glass with a light amber or even dark orange color. Head is nice and lingers for a while.
Odor is characteristic of hops. With citrus as well as some pine.
Taste is not as typical of american IPAs. It has a little less hoppy bitterness and has more malt than most IPAs I have tried. Well balanced and a nice hop finish. Mouth feel is steady and holds well( it doesn't just evaporate after taking a sip).
Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 13:17:11 | More by dexterk1

chinchill

South Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle served in a Sam Adams lager glass. Feb. 2012 date.

This pours a light orange-amber, with a moderate but durable bone head. The head leaves a good bit of sticky lacing.
The beer is slightly hazy, and there was some sediment left in the bottom of the 'emptied' bottle. Visible carbonation all the way to the end.

The sweet citrus and herbal nose is very pleasant and very consistent with the flavor. The flavor is, of course, not sweet, but it is not very bitter either. There is a big, balancing malt component in this IPA.

M: good medium+ carbonation; near medium body.

O: a very drinkable IPA with a substantial sweet malt balance making this drink more like a pale ale. In fact, I've had pale ales that were more hoppy.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 23:27:58 | More by chinchill

Kisejohn

3/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aroma:  Subdued woody, with some pine aroma.

Appearance:  Amber color.  One finger of head with good lacing. 

Taste:  Some caramel malt character.  Little to no hop flavor.  Some bitterness in the finish.  Does not appear to be brewed to style.

Mouthfeel:  Medium body, light oily sensation.  Carbonation good.

Overall:  Sadly this beer does not compare well to other IPAs.  It drinks like a pale ale, with little hop flavor and more alcohol.  In comparison to leading west coast IPAs, this beer is a definite pass for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 22:03:06 | More by Kisejohn

Apellonious

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 0z bottle from six at CM. Best by 11 /26/12..Normally it would outlast the turkeys. My sixes don't last more than week or a few days if they are tasty when they hit the fridge.

A- Golden, clear, two finger head that quickly dissipates and melds into a thin lace.

S - Grass, pine, hops... and something my nostrils are unable to coalesce into words

T - Hop head delight. Very dry, with some bread and biscuit notes.

M - Carbonation and mouthfeel are on (trending towards sharp on the finish in the nostril cavity), but there is a slight watery emptiness in the balance.

O -Still getting familiar with the Heavy Seas ( a dark beer I had on tap a few weeks ago was absolutely fantastic), this one is worth trying, especially if you like a grassy floral hop taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 04:14:54 | More by Apellonious

Cannon_Loose

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Giving Loose Cannon an overall 5 is not an overstatement. Rare, indeed, when an American IPA goes down smooth, just the right combination of hops and spice, yet at 7.25% this is one outstanding, drinkable beer. By far this is my favorite American IPA. Heavy Seas nailed this one.. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2012 16:12:29 | More by Cannon_Loose

mscudder

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A pale hazy straw yellow which looks slightly empty. Covered by a nice pale head with excellent lacing.

S - Hops and some subtle grapefruit and fine. I also get a bit of caramel malt holding it together. Nothing extreme here, yet it certainly is not absent.

T - Lots of hops up front followed by some nice citrus and floral notes. Concludes with a nice crisp sweet caramel malts. This is balanced very well and is not overpowering in any sense.

M - Medium body which is slightly syrupy and simultaneously light. Unique, something that could be a bit more robust but alongside ample carbonation, leaves little to desire.

O - This is a fantastic IPA that I enjoy multiple times a year when I am mixing it up. I would give a thumbs up to anyone looking for a recommendation.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 05:28:32 | More by mscudder

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a tumbler pint glass.

A: Pours a golden copper color with only moderate clarity. The head is a nicely thick, three finger light cream color that recedes moderately fast, leaving streaks of lacing as it goes away.

S: Malty. The most distinct smell are of caramel and toffee, with only a light herbal note hiding beneath the maltiness.

T: There are the hops! Well, sort of - this is a textbook 'balanced' IPA. Light evergreen and herbal flavors ride - and never overpower - a faintly sweet caramel/toffee backbone. Granted, I'd like a little more in the way of (citric) hops, but this is balanced nicely.

M: Creamy, but the finish is a bit astringent. It's a little heavy with lower carbonation, which might have hurt drinkability, but the balance keeps it relatively easy to down.

O: Quite solid, but it may be too balanced for its own good. On the other hand, Heavy Seas pulled off the malt profile of this quite deftly enough to satisfy those who may not be IPA fans. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 21:27:12 | More by ThisWangsChung