Heavy Seas Winter Storm Beer
February 26, 2010
Heavy Seas Winter Storm is another winter seasonal beer brought to us by the people at Clipper City Brewing Company in Baltimore, MD. This is my first beer review of anything from this brewery, so I’m curious to find out what this beer is about. Its also a timely review because as I write this we’re literally in the middle of what seems like a weekly blizzard here in NJ!
Here’s some of the beer’s basics. Heavy Seas Winter Storm, according to the label, is a 7.5% ABV Imperial ESB. What makes it a Winter seasonal brew I’m not sure, but from what I’ve seen on other winter seasonal beers like the Long Trail Winter White, a higher ABV is usually part of the categorization process! For example, the Winter White is simply a stronger (7.2% ABV) Belgian White, whereas the ‘regular’ Long Trail Belgian White is a ‘more normaler’ 4.7% ABV. See?
I’ve only had a couple other ESBs One was Fuller’s ESB which is considered by many to be the standardbeared of the style, and more recenlty I had the Yards ESA which I really enjoyed.
As far as I can tell, ESB is short for Extra Special Bitter or a Strong Bitter which has an ABV of 4.5% or higher. Stylewise, ESB is still a bit of a mystery to me because this particular beer (as you will learn) tastes nothing like the Fullers ESB I previously mentioned. Perhaps English and American ESBs are like English and American IPAs? Similar, but different? Allot different?
This beer from Clipper City could be described by me as a strong American Pale Ale. It pours a nice amber color and its cloudy in the glass. I realize after I pour the beer that there is decent sediment floating in the glass – maybe I poured a little too aggressively and should have slowed down!
The beer immediately gives off an aroma of earthy hops, but there is also some malty sweetness – but hops dominate here. Overall, the aroma is not overpowering in one way or another – and even at 7.5% ABV, the smell of alcohol is almost hardly apparent. Hmm.
The head is (to me) typical of a hoppy-type beer. It’s got a bit of a creamy color and it leaves that odd frothy layer on the surface that never disappears.
Getting on to the taste, I’ll admit I’m more of a malt beer guy than a hop beer guy. I simply prefer my beers nice and malty. This beer, however, while stronger on the hop to malt scale didn’t go overboard. Its a hoppy beer, but not extreme. I actually enjoyed it which is something you will hardly ever see me saying.
The mouthfeel was a little on the sticky side, but this Heavy Seas Winter Storm did leave a nice mildly hoppy and bitter aftertaste. Nice.
Overall, I thought that this winter brew from Clipper City wasn’t bad. Its not really a WOW type of beer – nothing really outstanding about it, but I can’t really fault it either especially because I have a hard time appreciating hoppier beers. (I’m trying to keep an open mind though.)
Not to dwell on it, but besides the higher than normal ABV, I’m not sure what makes this beer a Winter Ale, or an ESB for that matter. I think it could be called an Imperial American Pale Ale and sold all year long actually! I did enjoy it, and I would not shy away from having this again at a pub or something, but I would say that the Yard’s or Fullers were better.
Rating: 
What do you think about Clipper City’s Winter Storm? What about their other beers, do you have a favorite? Anybody care to clarify the ESB confusion I had because this beer didn’t seem to be ANYTHING like Fuller’s or Yard’s ESB!
And please, no more snow!!!
Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Ales, American Beers, Seasonal Beers
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February 26th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
When I see a question like that I turn to Michael Jackson’s World Beer Companion, where he lists half a dozen or so ESBs.
Fullers describe their ESB as ‘Extra Special Bitter’ so I guess that’s as good a definition as any.
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Pancake Day
February 26th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Scott:
I’ve only had one brew by these guys, and it was their take on a Belgian Christmas Ale. It was ok, but not stellar. It had a weird metallic taste to it that did mellow a bit as I drank it, but that was the overall impression. It too was a heavier beer, I think it was around 10% ABV. Here is my review for comparison. http://beerandwhiskeybros.com/2009/12/28/overboard/
I guess their Heavy Seas line of beers is whare they let their brewers just kind of run wild and create whatever the mood strikes. That is where their biggest brews are placed.
Nice review.
Don´s last blog ..FREAKY FRIDAY! Whatcha Drinkin?
February 26th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Not of fan of these guys! Just want to say that from the outset. As far as the ESB question. Extra Special Bitters from Fuller’s are light years different from this beer. Here is why I think the British and American versions are so different. First of all, even though you describe the hops as earthy, they are more than likely different hops than the classic British ones. Those add an entirely different tone.
Speaking of hops, we Americans tend to over do it. Even though the Extra Special Bitters are a term of degree, even the British ones are only bitter in comparison to other British beer. What I mean is this. A Mild is (among other things) mildly hopped/bitter. A Bitter is bitter by the comparison of a mild. An ESB is Extra Special only in the context of being compared to the normal/regular/ordinary bitter. Many of the US ones are more like half Pale ale half IPA.
British malts are more rounded and have more depth (in my opinion) than many of the American Barleys. The other thing to consider is yeast strain. I don’t know what Fuller’s is using but if they us an ESB yeast it can add quite a nice taste of Diacetyl (aka Butterscotch, Nut, Caramel tones). Did this beer have that?
Water table and type can play a role here, too. Some of the British ESBs and Bitters have a nice mineral tone from harder water tables, so that can play a role.
I’m simplifying some aspects of this but they are world’s apart because some, and sometimes all, of these factors play big parts. At least this is my understanding of the topic.
Michael Reinhardt´s last blog ..Beer Blogger Brewoff Tasting Podcast
February 26th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Thanks for all the input!
@Don, I read someplace that Clipper City was going to stop making beers under that name, and only make beers under the ‘Heavy Seas’ label. Maybe all their beers will be as you describe!
@Micheal, thanks for putting it into perspective. I would agree that this beer had more of an APA feel to it, and no buttery tones as you described. Actually, I think the Yards ESA I had recently is much closer to the Fullers ESB than this one was.
@Bob, I’ll have to get that book for my library – thanks!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Review -Yards Extra Special Ale (ESA)
February 26th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
I haven’t had the chance to try this one yet, but I’m a fan of their Peg Leg Imperial Porter and Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale. Definitely give them a shot, if you get the chance.
Hugh Sisson is a huge figure in Mid-Atlantic / East Coast brewing. you can read a brief rundown of his contributions to the scene here ~ http://is.gd/9hPTB
Also, if you’re interested, here’s the official word on the new direction they’re taking with the brand name and labeling ~ http://is.gd/9hQWH
Hope I don’t sound like a shill. I’m not tied to the brewery in any way, other than being gonzo for great local brews. Cheers!
platypotamus´s last blog ..Caribou Slobber: Primary Fermentation
February 26th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
stout… imperial stout. always just rolls off the tongue that way.
platypotamus´s last blog ..Caribou Slobber: Primary Fermentation
February 27th, 2010 at 9:14 am
@platypotamus – thanks for that info. I know I read about it someplace, but there ya go! The local Bottle King seems to carry a good selection of their products – perhaps I’ll give the Peg Leg Porter a try (not a big IPA fan)
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Southern Tier Porter