Heavy Seas 2013 Holy Sheet: Review

Clipper City Brewing Company

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

HeavySeasbeer.com

Heavy Seas Uncharted Waters 2013

Belgian Style Abbey Ale Aged in Brandy Barrels

1pt 6oz bottle

I got it free (so to say) from Super Fine Wine & Liquor

Only $175 for three cases of beer!

9% abv

I liked the Heavy Seas Holy Sheet Ale that I had a few years ago but, I never see it in the store(s).  It is or was a very tasty ale.  I remember I had to always buy a sampler pack to get it.  I don’t know if they make it any longer, I’ll have to look it up, then I’ll have to find it if they are still making Holy Sheet.

Appearance: the brewery calls it mahogany … I’ll say, dark coffee with deep mahogany highlights when held to the light.  The head was a thin beige color that leaves only a spot of lacing.  On the last pour, as I finish the bottle, I got about a one finger head.

Aroma: deep rich and thick malty tone; dark fruit that reminds me of fig and a nice touch of vanilla, the nose feels creamy,  

Flavors: hints of vanilla, cherry, and honey coming from the barrel aging, dark fruit, faint spicy oak wood, toasted grains, rich creamy dark caramel, nice touch of alcohol and light coffee

Mouthfeel: this is all about the mouthfeel; smooth, thick, sticky, really creamy, no carbonation except for a super fine fizz on the palate, dark sweet roasted notes on the taste and aftertaste

To the Point: overall, this is great.  The mouthfeel is superb, the aftertaste is long, this is a great sipper that is truly tasty and super smooth, be careful of the 9%; I have to give this an A 

This ale is great with a cigar.  I know.  

Fixed Gear: Review

Lakefront Brewery, Inc

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Lakefrontbrewery.com

American Red Ale

6.5% abv

54 IBU’s

Appearance: nice red ale with amber edges; one finger beige head that leaves some lacing on the glass

Aroma: moderate hop spice and roasted malts; the hops remind me of grapefruit and a hint of floral;

Flavors: crisp hoppy notes of citrus and spice; earthy caramel and grains; little rye bread feel 

Mouthfeel: this 54 IBU rating shows some good bitter notes on the taste and aftertaste; the earthy malts make for a nice balance; light-moderate carbonation;

To the Point: it is a bold ‘red’ ale; red ale is not one of my favorite styles – but, I would buy this one again.  It is an over hopped red ale and if you did a blind tasting on this ale you would guess – ‘American pale ale’

New Albion Ale: Review

New Albion Brewing Company

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Actually, Boston Beer Company –

AKA: Samuel Adams

Interesting: Is Samuel Adams taking a page out of the big beer companies playbook.  Make up a company (Band of whatever – Third Shift aka Miller Beer) to look small. 

Style: American Pale Ale

6% abv

Appearance: rich golden crystal body with a one finger white foam head that leaves … well, nothing to speak of

The glass is a little misty from the humidity

Aroma: light toasted grains, little grassy, maybe herbal biscuit, really light overall, no wow this is a nice smelling ale factor, it is just okay

Flavors/Mouthfeel: grassy bitter note, toasted grains, dry light moderate bitterness on the back, nice lively carbonation, I have not had a Molson Golden in a long long time but this reminds me of that beer – I’ll have to buy a Molson Golden to find out how bad (I mean good) my memory  is. 

To the Point: a pretty good tasting ‘golden ale’, people see American Pale Ale as the style and think: big time citrus, pine needles, fruity stuff, big bitterness, - well, just calm down folks for this is a 30 year old recipe.  In the early 1980’s we did not think of big bold in your face flavors in beer.  Enjoy it for what it is – a retro beer.  This is how some Pale Ales or Golden Ales tasted back in the 1970’s and 80’s.  A fun retro beer to drink maybe for us older folks.  In today's beer world it is just average.  I do like.  

Shorts Brewing Freedom 78: Review - Almost

Short’s Brewing

Elk Rapids, Michigan, USA

Shortsbrewing.com

A collaboration with Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago

Pure Guava IPA

Oh, God this is one nasty tasting ale.  242 reviews on Beer Advocate and it has a 91 rating.  They are nuts.  This ale tastes like cat piss.  I have never had cat piss but, I know what it smells like (guava) from cleaning a cat litter box.  Actually, cat pee was a tasting note with some white wines.  Since, ‘cat pee’ does not sound appealing (no kidding) they changed that tasting note to ‘guava’.  This beer smells like a guava bomb and the taste is guava.  It is cat piss.  I just cannot get past the guava taste. 

I bought a six pack of this crap and I do not want to open another bottle after trying one.  Damn I wish I did a review on that one bottle.  I will get brave and do a full review and post then. 

If you are brave – give it a try – just remember I warned you. Pure 'cat pee' IPA

Biere D’Hougoumont: Review

Brewery Ommegang

Cooperstown, New York, USA

Ommegang.com

Biere De Garde

Ale Aged on Maple and Oak Wood Staves

7.3% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$14.99 a bottle

The Super Fine Wine and Liquor

Canton, Michigan

On their bottle: ‘Pour slowly so as to not disturb the yeast sediment…’

Appearance: deep burnt orange body with a one finger (if that) bone white head that leaves no lacing

Aroma: light toasted grains, caramel, hint of wood (oak)

Flavors: to me the oak wood stands out over the maple wood; nice spicy fruit style; the fruit reminds me of apricot and the spice a light clove

Mouthfeel: fizzy carbonation, dry, medium body, earthy, sticky fruit aftertaste

To the Point: I was really looking forward to this ale; unfortunately it is just good at best to me; the overall aroma is light; the flavors – the fruit did not really do it for me; the spice was okay; the wood was good; this ale just does just really doesn’t do it for me @ 15 bucks a bottle (750ml)

New Belgium Rolle Bolle: Review

New Belgium Brewery

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

newbelgium.com

Ale brewed with soursop and monkfruit

Summer Seasonal

5.5% abv

Appearance: crystal yellow with bubbles slowly rising to the top of a white one finger head.

Aroma: a nice aromatic note on the pour; light fresh fruit and a soft citrus feel

Flavors: light citrus meat, fresh apple and pear, bread, light floral feel on the back of the palate; delicate and simple overall and it was made for drinking during the summer

Mouthfeel: light citrus rind twist on the palate, lightly bitter/tart on the aftertaste, light-medium in body, good carbonation to keep it crisp

To the Point: New Belgium Company says on the bottle that it is made for playing summer games – you don’t want it much more complex than this simple style for summer fun; get the bocce balls and jart game out and let’s play.  It’s simple, refreshing, and should be just tasty enough to be enjoyed in the summer heat.  

A fly joined in on the fun;
on the left side of the cap

John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale: Review

Cold Spring Brewing Company

Cold Spring, Minnesota, USA

9.1% abv

$2.59 bottle from: Lager Mill

12 oz bottle

Appearance: deep dark cola body with a one finger tan head with ok retention

Aroma: smoky and a slight oak note

Flavors: roasted grains, smoky, I can taste those oak chips, light bourbon feel

Mouthfeel: light fine fizzy carbonation, dark notes and smoky, the high abv did not really stand out

To the Point: I only bought one bottle.  I want to try a couple more to figure out two things 1) how much I like this ale and 2) is it really this simple.  It is worthy of a try.  This one was more about the smoky toasted oak flavor than the bourbon.  If it is any different I’ll post an update.    

Tiger Lager Beer: Review

Asia Pacific Breweries

Singapore

5% abv

Adjunct Lager Style

Appearance: bright clear yellow lager body with a nice white head that leaves some lacing on the glass.  A good looking lager.

Aroma: typical lager, crisp, clean, white bread,

Flavors: typical lager, maybe a light German lager; this one has a clean buttered white bread taste; other than that – non-descript mild hop and malts;

This beer does not have that over boiled corn taste with 20 tablespoons of sugar that some American Adjunct Lagers have.  And, it does not have that metallic taste that some Euro Adjunct Lager have. 

Mouthfeel: decent carbonation, crisp, clean, refreshing, no flavors stand out, no aftertaste – your typical Bud or Miller drinker would be thinking they are drinking the best beer in the World. 

To the Point: I do like this lager; it is like I said ‘crisp, clean, and refreshing’; a very good beer for playing yard games or other summer activities; Detroit Tiger Fans should give this a try – hey, invite the friends over to watch a game and serve this beer up.  

Samuel Adams New World: Review

The Boston Beer Company

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Barrel Room Collection

Ale Aged in Oak Barrels

A Golden Tripel with Notes of Spice and Tropical Fruit

10% abv

1pt 9.4oz bottle

$9.99 The Super Fine Wine & Liquor in Canton, Michigan

The first glass poured.  See how clear it looks.

Appearance: clear honey gold body with a one finger white head that leaves some lacing.  There has to be sediment on the bottom of this big bottle.  This is the problem I have with big bottles.  After I poured the first glass I was able to swirl the bottle to get some of the sediment off the bottom of the bottle.  Now the color is a misty amber with gold highlights. 

Second glass poured and I got the sediment (yeast) into the mix.
See the color difference.

Aroma: light pineapple, with a hint of spice – seems like clove; the aroma was a little better on the second glass – so, get that sediment (that Belgian yeast) into the glass. 

Flavors: sweet pineapple-mango, hint of herbal notes, touch of spicy clove, nice touch of amber honey

Mouthfeel: smooth, semi-creamy feel, low carbonation that gives a super fine fizzy feel, light sweet tropical fruit, red banana on the aftertaste

To the Point: pretty much what they say on the bottle, “…subtle herbal hop character combined with the tropical fruit and spice notes of its special Belgian yeast.”

They also call it ‘complex’ – I’ll call it semi-complex at best.  They also say ‘flavorful’ – yes it is – if you like Belgian-style ales.  This is a simple tasty Tripel-style.  I like the taste and the mouthfeel.  It is very easy to drink and the 10% abv really does not play a role.  I don’t get any alcohol peppery feel or warmth.  (now that I am near the bottom of the bottle I do feel the 10%)

The packaging – the bottle – is super cool.  The price is right.  And, I am planning to buy more.  

Samuel Adams Noble Pils: Review

The Boston Beer Company

Hopology Collection

“Bohemian spring barley and all 5 Noble hops for a citrusy hop character…”

Czech Pilsner

4.9% abv

Appearance: bright and clear golden body with a one finger white head

Aroma: very faint and clean, light grassy note as it warms

Flavors: light to very light grassy, floral, citrus meat, balanced with sweet grains, light fruit bread with orange peel grated on top

Mouthfeel: it’s all about the mouthfeel; smooth, crisp, refreshing, clean, light fizzy carbonation, very mild bitterness with a touch of sweetness, dry on the aftertaste along with a hoppy twang 

To the Point: easy to drink, no strong flavors to interfere with different types of foods, first few sips I was not impressed but as the ale warmed the flavors seemed to pop a little – still mild-medium for a ‘hoppy’ beer

Samuel Adams Hop Tour Six Pack

Hopology Collection

Two bottles of each: I’ll link them when available

WhiteWater IPA

Latitude 48 IPA

Noble Pils (reviewed above)

Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA: Review

The Boston Beer Company

Hopology Collection

“…features Mosaic hops, a new hop from the Pacific Northwest.”

“German, English and other American hops, all from growing regions near the ‘hop belt’ of the 48^th Latitude.”

American IPA Style

6% abv

Appearance: bright copper body with a 2 finger off-white or light beige head that leaves chunky globs of lacing behind

Aroma: very light, no citrus, no hops to me, smoky, toasted grains but very faint,

Flavors: nothing I would expect from an American IPA, caramel, roasted sweet grains, light citrus, light herbal lemon grass, smoky oak barrel feel, mineral, soft earthy feel

Mouthfeel: mild carbonation, smooth, yes too balanced for an American IPA, I would have guessed England, mild-moderate bitterness, grassy aftertaste,

To the Point: the German and English hops seem to dominate, mild citrusy style, for an American IPA style – eh it’s Okay, do I like it as a beer … yes. 

I think they need to age this Ale in oak barrels

Read:
Samuel Adams Noble Pils
Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA

Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA: Review

The Boston Beer Company

Hopology Collection

I saw Hillary Clinton walking out of the party store with a six pack of Whitewater IPA.  Must remind her of the good ol’ days.

On the bottle:

“Wheat Ale Brewed with Apricots & Spices”

“…crisp wheat character, bright pine and citrus flavors and just a hint of orange peel.”

Two Styles – Belgium White and American IPAs

Appearance: hazy dirty orange body with a two finger white head that leaves some lacing on the glass.

Aroma: bold coriander, citrus, touch of pine, sweet wheat, yeast,

Flavors: the nose is nice and the flavor is even better; bread and wheat on the front, then the citrus meat and pine hit the mid along with mild fruit and mild coriander; grassy along with sweet/tart pine on the back; orange peel and a prickly pine linger on the aftertaste

(the apricot really stood out on the second bottle)

Mouthfeel: mild fizzy feel, wool like texture, firm bitter style

To the Point: If Noble Pils is too mild for you then try Whitewater; if I want to drink a few beers sitting around the campfire I’m doing Noble Pils and if I want to drink one or two flavorful beers I’m going with Whitewater.  And, if Bill and Hillary ever invite me over for a little chat – I’m bringing Whitewater.  

Read:

Samuel Adams Latitude 48

Samuel Adams Noble Pils

Hoptical Illusion IPA: Review

Blue Point Brewing Company

Patchogue, New York, USA

Bluepointbrewing.com

6.8% abv

66 IBUs

Appearance: nice clear golden-amber body with a thin white head that was gone in a second; lacing on the glass with each sip but nothing clinging to the glass

Aroma: faint overall, some fruit, biscuit, touch of sea grass

Flavors and Mouthfeel: crisp, light crisp citrus bitterness, faint stone fruit, light toasted grains, malty backbone, firm carbonation, light-moderate citrusy aftertaste, refreshing feel for an IPA

To the Point: a nice tasting IPA; not big or bold; just easy to drink; 

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale 2013: Review

2013 Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Chico, California, USA

SierraNevada.com

$10.99 a four pack

9.6% abv

Appearance: copper body with a one finger beige colored head

Aroma: nice spicy hops tingles the nose with a rich malt backbone

Flavors: spicy hops up front, pine on the mid and finish along with alcohol, white grapefruit peel on the aftertaste, brown spice bread in the background,

Mouthfeel: rich style, thick, oily, alcohol warmth and alcohol peppery feel, moderate fizzy carbonation, bitterness up front followed by the sweet brown spice bread, white grapefruit lingers on the palate, full body, more bitter than sweet

To the Point: I like this ale; it is a sipper; I would give this a 90%; A-

Right Brain Dead Kettle IPA: Review

Right Brain Brewery

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

RightBrainBrewery.com

Right Brain is hitting the market here in Michigan.  I have seen several bars with Right Brain tastings this spring.

Style: India Pale Ale

5.5% abv

1Pt 6oz bottle

ONLY $6.99

AT Super Fine Wine and Liquor

In Canton Michigan

DAMN, I bought four bottles at the brewery on the first week of March and it cost me $45.00.  Okay, it was not Dead kettle but it was a bunch of birds - Looping Owl and Hawk what-ever.  (all bottle cost the same)  And from the first sip (I have not started the review yet) this Dead Kettle is far better than that bird stuff.  Okay, I am done venting.  No not really.  On top of that I don't even like their new location.  

Appearance:

color: copper;

clarity: moderate misty when poured - light misty after;

one and half finger bone colored head;

head did not stay around long (story of my marriage);

good lacing that sticks to the glass;

Aroma: Damn a beer that smells good, I just did a bunch of Samuel Adams that hardly had any aroma … I started to think my nose did not work; this beer has citrus big time, it reminds me of citrus meat from a grapefruit salad; if you like American IPAs do any other notes matter!  Only 6.99 a bottle.  Okay, there are some bready malts to soften the blow. 

Flavor: Grapefruit front and center; a little pink grapefruit and plenty of white grapefruit; toasted grains in the mix; shit I paid 45 bucks for four bottles at the brewery.  Okay, it's an IPA it has citrus - do you really care about anything else?

Mouthfeel: solid bitterness, grapefruit all the way, low carbonation, wool like texture, a solid IPA all the way, only $6.99 at the store I go to and I paid $11.25 at the brewery. 

To the Point: Flavors – it’s citrus; Mouthfeel – it’s citrus bitter; Style – it’s IPA; what else matters.  I would buy this again but, not at the brewery!  Damn $45.00 for 4 bottles and this one bottle only cost $6.99 at Super Fine Wine and Liquor in Canton Michigan – did I say that before – Don’t buy it at the brewery!

If you like or love IPA’s it is a must try.

Damn, only $6.99 and I paid $11.25 at the brewery