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

Review: Southern Tier Harvest Special Ale

Southern Tier Harvest Special Ale
Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
ABV: 6.7%
12 oz bottle
Served in Dogfish Head Signature Glass
Reviewed on 9/3/12 

This ale pours a nice amber color with a thin white head that quickly dissipates.  Mild carbonation and mild lacing present.  Not as lively as you might expect for a recently released, fresh beer.

Nose has malt, hops, citrus, hints of nutmeg and pumpkin, and a slight floral smell.  Taste reveals a bit more than the smell, with malt, hops, nutmeg, grapefruit, citrus, floral and even pumpkin notes coming with a hint of cinnamon.

Mouthfeel has some earthiness yet is smooth, slightly dry, and slightly bitter.  It presents a decent balance of flavors.  Slightly thin on the back end.

Overall, this has a good mix of decently balanced flavors that come together for a good autumn taste.  Hints of a pumpkin ale, and also suggests an IPA and even a brown ale.  Interesting profile, even if it might be a bit all over the place.  For me, it's not quite there but it's close.

Score: 88