Heavy Seas Cabernet Barrel Aged Below Decks - Heavy Seas Beer

abraxel

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasted blind as part of Blind BIF #6, courtesy of mdfb79. It's a bomber labeled "Maybe share :)", shared with my roommate.

A - The stream is a murky chestnut, rather dark and opaque in the glass. I have to force a head with a vigorous pour, and end up with about two inches of pillowy, creamy foam.

S - Smooth bourbon smacked me in the face as soon as the cap came off, but with a silk glove -- no boozy bite at all. Lots of salty caramel and sweet vanilla, and I think some hazelnut. It reminds me of BA Old Ruffian, but I'm pretty sure the bottle is wrong.

T - Definitely a bourbon-aged something, but it doesn't seem like a stout or barleywine. The vanilla-y, burnt-caramel-bourbon layer isn't quite dominant, and there's a fruity yet slightly dry maltiness that I'm having trouble describing. There's almost some cinnamon? This is reminiscent of Old Viscosity, but definitely not it.

M - Moderately full, very smooth. A decent amount of tingly carbonation, basically no alcohol feel to speak of.

Now this one I've almost certainly never had. The bourbon character is really nice, and blends in well with the base beer. It complements without dominating. Both of us approve. Also, neither of have any idea what this is. I'm gonna guess that good ol' catch-all American Strong Ale.

Non-blind comments: Hmm, neither of us are even remotely wine drinkers, so I guess the oak combined with Cabernet made us both think bourbon. Oops. It seemed a little thin for a barleywine, but oh well.

Regardless, this was a very good beer I probably never would have thought to try. Thanks!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 02:10:20 | More by abraxel

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very interesting beer! Poured into my crystal mug, I was surprised of how cloudy the beer was. I almost wondered if it was not a spoiled specimen. The color was deep brown with a little red. A two finger high tan head was building and left ok lacing.
The smell was very complex and was dominated by dark fruit and especially by a woody, earthy flavor, like the sediment in a wooden wine barrel.
Tasting the beer those flavors are confirmed, but softened by some caramel notes upfront. In the middle the wine and grape notes dominate, and at the end some mild hops give some balance.
I liked this beer and would buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 05:02:02 | More by Hopfenpeter

rapidsequence

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle from Ned's.

Appearance: Dark brown, cloudy. Looks like lake water. No head. Some spots of lacing and legs.

Smell: It is very obvious that this is a wine barrel aged beer. Very vinous, spicy, lots of vanilla. Caramel, toffee, dark fruit. This is a very rich, sweet, and complex smelling beer.

Taste: Big sweet malt flavors-- again caramel, toffee, and dark fruit (raisiny). Spice, vanilla, and red wine flavor. Pretty much smells like it tastes. It tastes very good, but it doesn't work perfectly.

Mouthfeel: Pretty full, sticky, and smooth. A bit of tannins and lasting malty stickiness in the finish.

Overall: I have been dreading trying this one because I didn't think the plain Below Decks was that great, and I though the cab barrel aging sounded weird. Well the underlying beer seems great here, and the barrel aging was a success. Its a little strange, and probably polarizing. I'll buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 01:39:17 | More by rapidsequence

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 1/10/2012 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

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

S: The aroma contains brown sugar, dark fruit, chocolate, caramelized malts and some hops.

T: The taste is very creamy and starts with strongly sweet flavors of milk chocolate, dark fruit and brown sugar. Then a hearty malt character comes in and the wine flavor is quite evident. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is sweet.

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

O: Very tasty, goes down dangerously easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is a nice stronger beer to drink for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2012 23:52:11 | More by TheManiacalOne

mdfb79

New York

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage. Drank side by side with a 2010 Bourbon barrel aged Below Deck. Poured into my Brawley's snifter.

a - Pours a very dark mahogany brown color with two inches of light tan head and light to moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of caramel malts, toffee, sweet dark fruits, molasses, toasted malts, light wood, and light wine and alcohol. Smells like a nice barleywine, but there isn't much barrel presence at all. Wonder if aging it a little over a year has hurt it.

t - Tastes of caramel malts, toffee, sugar, sweet dark fruits, molasses, raisins, toasted malts, wood, and more alcohol. Tiny bit more alcohol/wine/port like qualities, but still not a lot. Sweeter than the nose too. Pretty nice.

m - Medium to full body and moderate carbonation. Thick and smooth, a very nice body for a barleywine.

o - Overall I thought this was an interesting, pretty good barleywine. The nose and taste are very sweet with that sticky sweet dark fruit quality to them. If you like that you'll probably like this one a lot, and I enjoyed it. The wine and barrel seems to haved faded a lot in a year, so I wouldn't recommend aging this one, but it is worth trying and something I'd buy fresh once a year.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 00:39:05 | More by mdfb79

Viciousknishs

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours mahogany brown with a finger of light tan head. Ok head retention.

S- aromas of oak, caramel and a hint of milk chocolate mingle with notes of red wine and a slight nuttiness. Finishes with some fruity character and a touch of toffee.

T- starts off with a good oak and dark caramel flavor. A touch of chocolate and nuttiness fleshs out in the middle with a hint of Cabernet. Finishes with an aggressive toffee and vanilla.

MF- slick sticky mouthfeel with a medium body and fine carbonation.

D- decent drinkability

Overall a worthy solid barleywine with unique flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 01:33:18 | More by Viciousknishs

jayhawk73

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice dark brown color w/ a one finger cocoa head. Good lacing considering the 10% ABV. The nose is really pleasant- caramel, toffee, oak, wine, dark fruit, and grapes are what I get. Very nice, although a little light on malt and complexity. The taste is very unique. Chocolate, caramel, wine, dark fruits and oak. Not bad at all... In fact, quite a bit better than the regular version of this. Feel is great- It's super smooth, and just glides down your throat. Awesome alcohol burn on the backside that reminds me of a wine alcohol burn. Overall, this is a very nice beer. Several of these categories are very close to being a tick higher. I would definitely drink this again. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 19:11:13 | More by jayhawk73

harrymel

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2010

Having just had the regular and BBA versions, it is time to hit this one up. I'm anxious.

Murky, dirty brown with a nougat sheet of foam. There is the slightest, bloody red ruddy tone. The base beer smells profoundly of cocoa, this one has a hint, but mostly I get oak, red wine (cheap red wine), some hints of a tannic, metallic tone. Honestly reminds me of the nose on many Oud Bruins I've had.

Flavor does not follow the nose. Sweet, malty; infused with toffe and caramel tones this is accented with some fruity character, but nothing tannic. Some hints of raisin and if I reach, a little bit of juicy berry, but that's a stretch.

Medium on full bodied with low carb. Somewhat of a velvety feel. I'm unimpressed on how the barrel impacted this brew. It's nice, but I would take the regular, unaged version over either variants.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 07:00:59 | More by harrymel

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber to black in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, it smells just like cabernet wine. In the taste, cabernet wine, licorice and a nice alcohol taste. A smooth and medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel, with a dry dark fruit and notes of cabernet in the aftertaste. Very much wine like and mellows out the base of Below Decks.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 16:07:38 | More by OWSLEY069

ATLbeerDog

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pours a murky dark rust color with almost no head whatsoever. What little head there was dissipated quickly. Smells mostly of wine and oak with just a tad of sweet malt comprising the nose. First sip is super malt sweetness layered in a ton of wine notes supported nicely with oak. The wine and malt sweetness hits first leading to a bitter finish that is highlighted almost entirely by the mighty oak. Though thin bodied there is enough carbonation here to warrant a decent mouthfeel. The 10% ABV is not well hidden at all. It is in your face making one to think it is stronger than it really is. I am surprised. I never would have thought I would like the Cabernet version more than the same base beer in Bourbon barrels. I like this showing much more. This one rocks!

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 16:21:23 | More by ATLbeerDog

ChrisPro

Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Have had previously (and enjoyed it much much more), but reviewing blind on 12/23/11 as part of a "BA barleywine" tasting. Finished #5 of 6 for me.

A - Pours medium brown with a nice light tan head

S - Weird nose with saurkraut, dark fruits and a little vanilla and oak

T - A mild sweetness, then a little bitterness but has a fantastic caramel finish. Taste overall is a bit strange, but not inherenetly bad.

M - Medium body and sharp carbonation

O - Okay, but nothing special. Just not that good. The nose is slightly offputting, but otherwise, just a solid barleywine with unique barrel aging.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 03:35:54 | More by ChrisPro

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 Vintage (aged for over a year in cabernet barrels)

A - Muddy-dark mahogany, thin soapy off white head, light lacing.

S - Wonderful oak, red wine, chocolate scents.

T - Very oaky, hints of vanilla, chocolate, & caramel sit atop the massive fermented dark fruit flavors, the cabernet leaves a slight alcohol & tart flavor as well as a dry finish to the beer.

M - Because this was aged for over a year in the cabernet barrels it really smoothed out well, but still is is heavy, low carbonation.

O - Excellent beer, the year in the barrel really made this an over the top experience!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 22:41:36 | More by Rickythejeweler

claytong

Vermont

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2010 vintage

appearance - a copper brown with some murkiness. decent beige head. decent lacing.

smell - vanilla, toffee, brown sugar, oak...no wine?

taste - again the same with some fig and no wine is coming to me, a bit sad about this but its still good nonetheless especially for the price

mouthfeel - good body and carbonation for the style but a bit sticky and cloying.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 04:51:27 | More by claytong

DavoleBomb

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter. 2010 vintage (which I think is the only one anyway).

4.0 A: Dark brown color. Actually more like a purplish black. One finger of creamy beige head that retains okay given the ABV and leaves

4.0 S: The cabernet sticks out, lending a vinous component in addition to oak and a touch of tannic astringency. The underlying beer adds plum and fig foremost, with caramel and toffee following. Not bad.

4.0 T: Again the cabernet is aggressive yielded an almost tart vinous grape. Lots of oak and little bits of tannins. Dark fruits including plum, prune, date, fig, and maybe some currant. Caramel and toffee underneath that. Absolutely no hints of alcohol.

4.0 M: Heavier medium body. Good moderate carbonation. The slightest bit chewy, but smooth overall.

4.0 D: This is incredibly mellow for a beer only around a year old. Flavors are well integrated and well balanced. Plus, $8 for a bomber of barrel aged beer isn't bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 02:46:32 | More by DavoleBomb

billab914

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into my Dogfish snifter. It poured a dark, caramel brown color with a thin white head concentrating around the edges of the glass.

The aroma really shows the Cabernet character to it pretty nicely. I get a grape presence mixing with a little bit of a woody, vanilla like flavor. The barleywine flavors come through as more of a sweeter, caramel, malty flavor. The red wine character is very nice in it.

The taste mixes a red wine, oaky, vanilla flavor and a sweet, malty, barleywine character. It starts with more of the red wine, while more of the oaky, vanilla, caramel flavors come out in the finish. I really loved how the flavors came together in it.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side with carbonation being lower. Overall I really liked what the Cabernet barrel added to the beer. The red wine character really integrated into the beer flavors better than any other wine barrel aged beer I can remember having. It really added a lot of depth and character to it. I expected the bourbon version to be my clear favorite of the two, but this one is pretty damn good as well as being more unique. Very enjoyable beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 01:53:27 | More by billab914

Meerkey

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: a finger or two of pale beige head. Very cloudy chestnut.

S: Smells like red wine. Sweet, dark fruit. Some bready malts. Nice.

T: I like it. More red wine. Fruity and malty. Alcohol. Maybe a little spicy and slightly vegetal?

M: Hint of carbonation, but creamy and smooth, heavy. Nice, but nothing exceptional.

O: I'm surprised by how much it tastes and smells like red wine. I enjoy it, I'll have another. Recommend.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 04:26:20 | More by Meerkey

AgentMunky

California

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a BrewDog cervoise glass. Vintage 2010.

A: A finger and a half of head. Murky, dark brown beer with a ruddy tint. Not particularly susceptible to light. Nice lacing.

S: Winey-tart and very pleasant. Reminiscent of the brandy barrel Angel's Share, but less intense. Some funky old ale style yeast? Maybe not, but an odd sourness nonetheless.

T: Hrm, much more malty-sweet than yeasty-sour. Definite red wine character to the beer. The mild tartness, a large amount of grapiness, and a wine-like/dry aftertaste with lingering tannin/grapepeel. I wonder if the Cabernet ageing hasn't overpowered the beer. Still, good barleywine, and the alcohol barely shows. Vague hops are never really an issue.

M: Smooth, lightly carbonated, and drying. Nice.

O: Good beer. Recommended; will have again. I still think it was a little heavy-handed with the wine barrelling, but it was an interesting twist. I continue to appreciate the Heavy Seas range. Yum.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 04:25:54 | More by AgentMunky

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thanks to.... AleWatcher, I think. Can't remember. Poured in to an imperial pint glass.

A- A murky brown with purple and ruby red highlights. Small but respectable sandy tan head.

S- Boozy.. brandy soaked figs and toffee. Noticeable alcohol presence.

T- Dark fruit is strong on raisin. Not sour but tart, for sure. Barrels express grapes several ways- mild brandy/cognac which is complimented by the English malt. Interesting and ultimately successful flavor profile.

M- A bit syrupy/sticky and lethargic. Would benefit from a bit more carbonation.

O- Weird, but enjoyable. YMMV. Not for the unadventerous.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 01:20:37 | More by ShogoKawada

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From a bomber that I believe I found in a shop near the finger lakes in New York last year. Opened this with a couple friends for a side by side tasting with the bourbon version.

Poured into a snifter, this brew appears a gazed ruby amber color with particulate stuck hanging in suspension. A creamy finger of tan head forms and retains well. A swirl revives the cap and forms spotty lacework on the glass.

The smell of this brew is tangy with Brett. It smells of a combination of scents that include cheese, minerals, sulfur and citrus hops. The alcohol stings the nose. Underneath are sweet undertones of caramel malt that accent a minute amount of mellow oakiness and vanilla smoothness.

The taste is brett'd with a tangy kick that includes citrus hops, sulfur and minerals. There is a toasted malt flavor that includes some vanilla smoothness that is sweet underneath the more bold flavors previously described. The aftertaste includes bitter herbal hops.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is an interesting take on the style that is complex and enjoyable but in limited quantities. I'm glad I shared the bottle because I don't know how much more I could tolerate beyond 6 or so ounces. For 10% abv it is incorporated very well. I could see the cabernet choice of barrel aging here being something that is not for everyone however I enjoyed it. In the side by side comparison though, I favor the bourbon version as it melds with the base flavors moreso than the clashing cabernet.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 18:03:27 | More by stakem

clickpush

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour: 22oz bottle to tulip. Found this at The Andersons in Dublin, OH, after not being able to find it in Baltimore. Pours a 1.5 finger off-white head over gorgeous red hued body. Lots of carbonation visible within. Head recedes slowly, sticks all over every inch of the glass and leave a soft cap of lacing.

Nose: Caramel malts, a raspberry type sweet/tart to it. A touch of oxidation.

Mouth: Dry yet malty flavors. Some lingering hoppiness. Spices & a touch of tartness. A lingering warmth in the finish. Creamy yet firm carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 01:03:38 | More by clickpush

ne0m00re

Ohio

1.18/5  rDev -69.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Live review of a 22 oz bottle.
A: Murky mahogany, it poured with a cream head with lacing.
S: What the hell... this is a very subtle aroma of fetid grapes, corny biscuit malt, chlorine, cranberry juice and mint. I really don't want to drink this, but I do, and...
T: Watery wine like cheap fruit juice, biscuit malt, some caramel with booze, Marshmallows!, a weird wood flavor. Is this poisoned? I think it's poisoned.
M: Thin with a weird froth.
O: Holy hell this is a mess. Terrible, terrible drainpour. This is a barleywine like Natty Ice is a lager.

It doesn't taste like it was infected... it just tastes like they meant it to be this mess.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 00:09:00 | More by ne0m00re

srandycarter

California

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Reddish murky brown, near white head leaves to ring fast. Some spotty lace.

S - Booze, malt and wine. Cabernet is there. It's pretty nice.

T - Malty, silty, wine notes at near finish followed by malt and hops. Interesting.

M - Medium body, very different flavors meld well together.

D - Even at high ABV, pretty easy to drink!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 04:12:24 | More by srandycarter

BigMcLargeHuge

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Courtesy of markwise over on ratebeer. It pours clear mahogany with tan head. The aroma is nice with sweet musty pine hop enhanced malts, wood spiciness, sweet / tart raspberries and molasses. The taste begins with sweet malts, molasses, thick sludgy malts, some caramel and pine hops. I dig this. By midway I get modest levels of red skinned berry fruity, cherry, faint red wine notes and some woody barrelness that provide a pleasing balance to the sweetness. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 20:36:15 | More by BigMcLargeHuge

DIM

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

a: This was a coppery golden color and it poured with a medium sized off-white head. There were lots of suspended particles.

s: I've only tried a few wine barrel aged b-wines and this might be my least favorite. I found toffee, grassy hops, a decent amount of naked oak, and muted, musty wine aromas.

t: I liked this well enough, but it didn't quite come together for me. The toffee and caramel of the b-wine were subdued by the wine barrel, but still kind of clashed with it. The finish was dry, with oak, fairly strong heat, and light grassy hops.

m: Nice velvety body on this one.

d: Very glad I got to try this one but, this didn't work as well as I'd hoped it would.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2011 11:51:56 | More by DIM

dirtylou

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber, split and paired with some NFL divisional round playoff action

admittedly, was not looking forward to this one. the base heavy seas barleywine is pretty bad. fortunately, this exceeded all expectations.

appearance: rather light - looks almost watered down, medium amber, rather lifeless bubbly head

smell: very oaky, grapes are potent, a bit boozy but very enticing

taste: the barrel is the show here - extremely vinous, oak, with the cabernet grapes still resonating in a major way. the boring boozy barleywine base is obliterated and saved by the barrel.

mouthfeel: medium, not overdone and not sticky like the base

drinkability: could have drank more

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 17:40:42 | More by dirtylou