Heavy Seas - Below Decks (Barley Wine Style Ale) - Heavy Seas Beer

Duhast500

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 1pt. 6oz. into a Christmas wine glass

The color is a dark amber to brown with two fingers of foamy brownish head and some nice lacing left on the glass.

The smell is pretty malty with some nice caramel and toffee like flavor. Some dark fruits making the aroma juicy but not too sweet.

The taste is sweet at first, some fruit flavor hits and is almost at bit too sweet but after a bit it calms and seems to level out with a a nice bitterness that stays for a time with you but then is gone before it becomes to built up.

The feel of this beer is big but not overbearing. There is not too much to this beer where is claims control and tosses you aside. It goes down pretty easy for a beer with this high and ABV and was pretty smooth going down.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 03:56:17 | More by Duhast500

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

appearance: Brown with a nice lacey head.
smell: Not over the top complex but a nice pleasant maltiness.
taste: Very smooth for a barleywine. A gentle giant.
drinkability: Very nice, an easy sipper. Got 2 of these. Let's see what some time does to this.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 23:30:11 | More by cindyjeffsmith

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 22 oz. bottle. Has a dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is rather mild, some sweetness. Taste is good, malts, dark fruits, some alcohol and a touch sweet, good complexity. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and has good drinkability. Overall a fine quality brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 20:14:14 | More by tone77

nugget

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

2009 bottle poured from a 12 oz. bottle and served in a tulip glass.

Appearance - Dark reddish amber, minimal carbonation with very fine bubbles

Smell - prunes, toffee, molasses, caramel candy

Taste - malt and sweet, evolves into an alcoholic warmth

Mouthfeel - low carbonation, nice body, backed by dark specialty malts

Drinkability - enjoyable, great for after dinner

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 22:49:35 | More by nugget

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma is fairly strong and malty with a tasty woody overtone and a bit of spice. It pours a dark, coppery amber with a thin off-white head. Flavor is woody and a little malty, with quite the alcohol bite. Texture is fairly smooth, but has a good alcohol nip - which should be fine for a barleywine! Definitely for barleywine nuts - I hope they give it a good high rating!

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 02:35:12 | More by Cyberkedi

alkemy

Ohio

2.17/5  rDev -40.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Pours a deep mahogany with minimal off-white head, yet leaves behind generous amounts of lacing. As far as taste and aroma, I can only compare this to soy sauce. Smelled of salty burnt toffee. Taste was overtly salty. I really don't have much good to say about this one. Not at all barleywine-esque. I don't want to degrade the brewery as I've had many other good beers from Clipper City, but this one just didn't do it for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 20:24:17 | More by alkemy

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured a slow to emerge 2" head which slowly dissipated to 1/8". Very dark and clear, kind of like a cola, and with lots of slow tiny bubble action characteristic of a thick barleywine. Yet this sample is lighter in body than others I tried. Smells of barley and malt, and has some caramel, burnt sugar, and sourdough tastes. Goes down easy and I had a lot of fun with it. I'd made a note to myself that it feels like a B but tastes like an A so I'm shooting for a happy median of a B+.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 12:40:46 | More by MoreThanWine

thedoubler55

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A - the look of this beer is darker for a barley-wine, it almost reminds me of the '10 Nemesis in color but I feel like it doesn't deserve to be compared to that behemoth beer.

S - I'm not getting much off the nose of this beer, I smell some slight grape presence as well as some barley malts. It all seems very covered up.

T - Very boozy is the immediate thought, it follows into a mid-palate that has subtle orange peel and some spicyness. Not bad, just nothing that is overwhelmingly out of the ordinary.

M - Good amount of carbonation and not very rich in malt, pretty ordinary again.

D - pretty drinkable for a barley-wine, i just don't think it would be worth going out of my way to purchase another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 18:02:44 | More by thedoubler55

buschbeer

Ohio

3.58/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle

A - Served in snifter. Brown body with some dark amber highlights. One finger of tan head.

S - Bread. Lots of earthy notes. Also a sweet alcohol smell.

T - Bread, toast, toffee, and very earthy. Surprisingly no alcohol.

M - Nice and thick, but not overly viscous.

D - Even though the alcohol is well hidden it is still a sipper. It is a filling and substantial beer. One of the earthiest beers I have tasted.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2010 01:54:31 | More by buschbeer

JayS2629

Alabama

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Deep mahogany with a thin white sudsy head that sticks around leaving sea foam creamy lace.

S- Faint sweet malt, fruits, wood characteristics far in the background. Muscadine, faint dark cherries. Something sweet and boozy lingering.

T. Sweet malts and rich caramel notes. Hints of dark cherry and muscadine. Slight boozy burn like bourbon.

M- Rich and thick. Creamy. A bit cloying and sticky. Well balanced though the booze taste makes itself known. However, it adds to the profile.

D- Slight burn from boozy high alcohol. A bit too sweet. Delicious but rich. A definite sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 01:38:11 | More by JayS2629

dorkusmaximus

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I greatly enjoy just smelling this beer between tastes. I get smokey caramel, subtle fruit, and a kick in the nuts. Smells big, and tastes big. I let these four bottles mellow for several months before tasting them, and the finish is silky smooth. My dog is insanely jealous watching me lovingly caress this beer. When drinking this beer, I even savor each belch.

I'm normally a hoppy beer guy, and this is one barley wine I can see me stealing again.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 02:27:09 | More by dorkusmaximus

aventinus829

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this one on cask at Growler's in Charlotte. (This new restaurant had a great vibe and a pretty awesome tap of 10 or so really good craft beers.)

First barelywine! Had an awesome server, Steve, who brought out multiple samples. Tried this one and had to get it, especially since it was on cask. It was very nice, indeed. Had a lot of similarities to the belgian quads that i've been feeling lately. Plus, being on cask, it wasn't served ice cold, which let all the complexities of the beer come through without numbing your tastebuds. Paired with a beer brat, this brew was delicious!

Serving type: cask

11-22-2010 03:24:18 | More by aventinus829

Thorpe429

Illinois

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

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a snifter. Color is moderate copper with a thin white head that remains for a bit. Nose brings a good dose of sweet malt along with some light fruits and caramel. The taste is a bit too sweet without enough accompanying fruit presence. Feel is a bit cloying. Drinks well enough overall, but is just too sweet.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 23:40:42 | More by Thorpe429

terrapinfan88

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Vintage 2008 at Galaxy Hut for the Oxymoron event.

Appearance: Amber orange Hardly any head.

Smell: Carmel, dark malts, Wood?

Taste: wow the maltiness. its like a chocolate milkshake with carmel in it. soo sweet

Mouthfeel: Smooth, dry and earthy

Drinkability: The ABV is hidden decently enough in the taste but this was a night with three beers at least as strong as this one and even just this pint left me buzzin. Got a little to sweet for me towards the end but nothing a had a problem with

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2010 00:54:57 | More by terrapinfan88

Arithmeticus

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Vintage 2008.
A: Copper red; think head, but good carbonation.
S: sweet light fragrance; bouquet is a bit fruity
T: aggressive, sweet barleywine-style; I detect some grape; very nice clarity in the flavor; not cloying as some BWS beers can be
M: thick and rich

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2010 13:45:54 | More by Arithmeticus

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Vintage 2008. Served from bottle into a Lucifer snifter. Poured a hazy deep brown with a hint of red hue with an off-white head that was only present around the edges of the glass. Maintained decent lacing throughout. The aroma was comprised of malt, alcohol, sour note, nutty, and a subtle hop aspect. The flavor was comprised of malt, a nutty note, and subtle alcohol. It had a medium feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall I was glad this one tasted much better than it smelled. The flavors were really nice and had the right intensity. While the alcohol could be tasted, it was not at all overwhelming. Very nice Barleywine. Looking forward to trying the BA versions in the future for comparison.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 14:32:39 | More by thagr81us

mash4077

New York

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber to glass.

A- Dark brown with a reddish tint. Half a finger of off-white head.

S- This really putss the wine in barleywine. Very grape-y red wine smells. Some sweet malts come out to play, and a little bit of yeast, but most of what you smell is the barrel aging.

T- Concord grapejuice with a bite. Some light citrus hops play a small role, and the malts add a bit of a candy sweetness, but again it's the cabernet that really stands out. The alcohol is present but not overpowering. A nice and unique brew.

D- Nice, could be a bit smoother, and the grapejuice taste can get irritating when you're looking for a beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 04:13:02 | More by mash4077

Bonis

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours amber and looks like a hazy dark red in the glass. Thin layer of head, yeast sediment throughout.

S - Dark fruits... Figs, rasins, maybe some tropical fruit mixed in. Very sweet overall, and booze is there of course.

T - Nothing really stands out. This is a pretty sweet and extremely boozy one. I get hints of dark fruits, cherry is most notable, but it is mostly burnt caramel and brown sugar.

M - Strong alcohol feel, big body, not much carbonation.

D - Not bad for a barleywine, also not good for a 10% abv beer. This one didn't do a whole lot for me, so I doubt I'll be buying it again. I'd say it's probably worth a try though if you're a fan of barleywines.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 03:24:26 | More by Bonis

biggred1

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear, scarlet tinted amber with a finger of fluffy nougat colored foam that melts slowly and leaves some craggy lace on the glass. The aroma is rich and inviting.. hot buttered rum, black strap molasses and minty hops. Sweet and sticky malt flavors with an herbal tobacco leaf hop flavor in the warmingly alcoholic finish. Medium bodied with mild carbonation. This beer isn't for everyone, the alcohol is hot and in your face and is certainly on the hoppier end of the spectrum. I dig it.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2010 00:06:59 | More by biggred1

aasher

Indiana

3.03/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured a 2009 bottle into a Guinness Pint Glass. It poured very smoothly with almost no head, the head that did exist laced the glass and continued dissipating. It smelled sweet and overly boozy. The alcohol definitely took over. The taste was average, very sweet and very alcohol laden. Their was almost a metallic tint to it. The mouthfeel was excellent though. It was very, very smooth. The carbonation had almost disappeared in just eight or so months. I don't find this one very drinkable, right now. I've had it fresher and it was a little better. The Bourbon Barrel version is the way to go.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 03:51:28 | More by aasher

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer review from BA Mag Dec 2007.

First brewed for their 10th anniversary, is 10% ABV a coincidence? Vintage dated just in case you wanted to drink one now and lay down the rest.

Good clarity in the deep mahogany-colored brew, the head retention is not too shabby either with a crown of lacing in the glass that leaves patches all the way down the side. Perfume-like rosy alcohol and faint hop aroma, delicate but noticeable. A malty nose as well with hints of caramel, cotton candy and Portuguese sweet bread. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel quickly dissipates, full bodied with moderate carbonation. Huge maltiness drops a ton of flavor on the palate, layers of caramel, brown bread and toasted biscuit unfold as the beer warms a little. Hops leave a trace flavor throughout and the bitterness tries to double up with the alcohol for balance. Very warming but not hot at all, ripe plums, raisins and figs flash before the taste buds. Sweet finish with a blend of toasted malt and ripe fruit.

Between the complex lush character and the lush mouthfeel and palate that lean towards drinkable this is no doubt a beer to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 13:47:44 | More by BeerAdvocate

PanicUnited

Georgia

3.6/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I was interested in trying the Heavy Seas Below deck after trying their "small craft warning" earlier that same day.

The beer was unique, slightly strong and heavy. The head was lingering and a sweet aftertaste became quite present after the first sip. However, this sweetness was not properly balanced and the beer seemed to have almost no hop character at all. And I realize that its a Barley Wine style, but some spice would go a long way.

Overall, it was a good "bang for your buck" coming in at 10% ABV, but in the line of taste, it was lacking something special.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2010 20:37:24 | More by PanicUnited

ToasterChef

Maine

4/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a cellar temperature bottle into a tulip glass. There is no date on the bottle, but I believe this is from the winter of 2009-2010. It has a tawny red/brown color that is very pretty. It looks a lot like port. The head is a thin layer of tan foam that has settled quickly to a skim. As a swirl the glass around, a good coat is left behind. The beer is translucent and I can make out a healthy amount of carbonation rising within. The aroma also reminds of a glass of port. There is warming quality. It smells alcoholic, but also of plums, raisins and oak. The beer has a strong English malt flavor. It is slightly bready, but also full of toffee, plum and caramel. Of course, there is also a lot of alcohol. The sweet coat that is left behind burns off of my mouth like the residue rubbing alcohol leaves behind. It turns into a detectable vapor that is strong but not off-putting. It doesn't have as heavy of a body as I expected; in fact, it is slightly watery. This surprising lightness is tempered by the strong alcohol burn. I like this sensation, but I can see if affecting the drinkabilty of this beer for many consumers. I'm glad I have a couple bottles still left in my cellar; I will left them sit for a while before opening them. This beer is pretty enjoyable now, but I think some age will really improve it.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 23:46:39 | More by ToasterChef

thekanna

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Gorgeous chestnut brown, somewhat clear, with not much off-white head.

S: Dates, brownies, tootsie rolls, dark fruits, plums, cocoa powder, and a large sense of chewiness. Phenols are also readily present in the background. Complex!

T/M: Smooth body with date, toffee, caramel, and chocolate flavors. Ends with a slight carbonated hoppy bite.

D: Another excellent offering from Clipper City. This one was great to sip.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2010 01:03:00 | More by thekanna

Hibernator

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Heavy Seas Below Decks
12 oz brown bottle
-2009-
Served in my precious Smuttynose tulip glass

Pours a bronze colored amber brown. Nice head on top at first, but the beer quickly turns to a thin lace around the glassware.

I discover an Interesting nose as I take a few whiffs. Very sweet, I automatically think of candy and sugars. Maybe some whiffs of raisins too?

A slick and syrupy sip to begin. Burnt flavors mixed with brown sugar sweetness. I'm talking super sweet here. Remember Rock Candy when you you were younger? The sweetness reminds me of liquid Rock Candy.

Dark fruit flavors, like prunes or raisins. Make no mistake about it, this beer is boozy as well with an alcohol sharpness that reminds me this beer weighs in at strong 10% ABV. Flavors of rum raisin ice cream. A nice hop snap on the finish completes this beer.

This barleywine is a sipper and becomes more complex as it warms. I really dig barleywines, but I think this one is a tad too sweet overall or is it that I haven't had this style of beer in a long time?

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 22:48:12 | More by Hibernator