Review: Heavy Seas Winter Storm Category 5 Ale

Heavy Seas Winter Storm Category 5 Ale
7.5% ABV
Clipper City Brewing Co., Baltimore, MD
12 oz bottle
Served in Dogfish Head Signature Glass
Date notched on on bottle: March 2013
Reviewed on 12/4/12

This ESB pours a deep amber color with a good bubbly ivory-colored head.  Good carbonation evident. Quite good lacing.

Smell consists of malt, hops, some berry-like fruitiness, some sugariness, some spiciness.

Taste has malt, hops, some good, dry, almost wine-like fruity flavor, mild floral notes, deep biscuity taste.

Mouthfeel is earthy, dry, and bitter with a decent balance of flavors.  Nice chewy texture that gives it some substantialness.

Overall, this is a solid tasting ESB with a good earthy profile of flavors and nice kicks of dryness and bitterness.  Malty and hoppy, with a good dry chewy texture that goes directly for the palate.  A nice hearty brew for the winter season.


My score: 92