Heavy Seas Winter Storm

This beer is from the Clipper City Brewing Company out of Baltimore, Maryland. It is their seasonal winter brew and apart of their Heavy Seas collection. Winter Storm "Category 5" Ale is an Imperial ESB and is called the "winter warmer" by Clipper City.

The beer poured a reddish amber color without much head. Smelled pretty hoppy with some caramel malt tones and a small amount of citrus. This was a very good combination of sweet malt and bitter hop finish. What is nice about the beer is that their is a fairly large dose of both malt and hops. Malt sweetness first but then the bitter citrus and piney hops come through at the end. The bitterness isn't so much that it is a problem and that makes this beer very smooth. I don't think I could session this beer because it has a 7.5% ABV but could very easily enjoy one with dinner.

In the end this was a pretty enjoyable Winter Brew and I could see this being a staple for the winter months for the years to come.

Who: Joe
Where: BORZONE!
Price: $$$
Score: 4 / 5

The winter brews have arrived! We have already tried 6 seasonal brews and it is only December 2nd. With so many more to try and write about I am excited for the next 2 months. If you have any winter seasonal's you think I should try, leave a comment after this post, I really appreciate it. Check the list on the right to see if I have tried it before you post!

Happy Drinking!

Green Man Ales ESB

This was the growler we picked up in Asheville, NC. Cathy had tabbed Green Man Brewery as one we needed to try before we even made the trip. We picked this up at Brusin' Ales in downtown Asheville.

Green Man Ales ESB from the growler was very delicious. Pours out a dark amber / red and smells of toasty caramel and earthy hop tones. Was a pleasant medium bodied brew with a slight touch of sweetness and hop bitterness. It was very easy to drink and you could get 3 or 4 down with not problems.

The only issue I had was the $3 bottle deposit! I understand the concept and would be fine with it, except we live in Ohio. I am not able to get back to NC to recover the cost and we recycle everything anyways! That extra cost pushed the price of the growler to $14 (for 4 pints). Either way it was a good beer and hope to be able to try a few more from Green Man in the future.

Who: Emily
Where: Em and Bill's
Price: $$$$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Southern Tier Harvest Ale

Harvest Ale

Southern Tier's Fall Seasonal Ale.

Thad picked this up for a party this weekend since we both hadn't tried it yet. I wasn't all that impressed but I won't complain all that much since I was able to try it for free.

Nice yellow/orange color with an earthy smell. It wasn't a very pleasing fall ale to taste though. The beer is a little on the earthy and citrusy side, which I normally like, but for some reason just wasn't doing it for me this past weekend. I would like to give it another try, but for a fall seasonal not high on my list.

I have liked the other Southern Tier brews that I have tried, so I will most likely try this one again. Compared to the Lefthand I had this weekend, it didn't land on it's feet.

Who: Thad
Where: Cleveland
Price: Free
Score: 3 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Great Lakes Moondog ESB

Great Lakes Moondog Extra Special Bitter

Another fine brew from my favorite brewery. The April, May, June seasonal from Great Lakes Brewing Co. Extra Special Bitter name comes from the English meaning -- pale or translucent, as it is not all that bitter and hoppy. The name comes from the first ever rock-n-roll concert in 1952, which was held in Cleveland and was called the Moondog Coronation Ball.

Pours a nice golden orange/yellow and has a nice earthy tone with a small amount of hops at the end. A nice malty beginning and a hint of floral at the finish. Moondog is very easy to drink and I found myself drinking a couple at a time.

I would recommend this beer to anyone because of its smoothness. Another entry from GLB which I wish they brewed all year round.

Who: Cathy
Where: Deck
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!

Sierra Nevada - ESB

Sierra Nevada Early Spring Beer.

West Coast taste on a Extra Special or Strong Bitter. Starts off with a nice amber color and smells of both hops and malt. I was expecting something that was more bitter than it was, but the malt really comes through to sweeten up and to smooth out that bitter flavor.

My brother Cody had asked me if I had tried this beer yet and thought that I would enjoy it. After that conversation it was the next 6 pack that I purchased. He was right and I did enjoy the beer. I have been recommending it to a few friends who enjoy the slightly bitter tasting beers.

What I liked most was the drinkability. I felt I could easily have 2 or 3 and not be tired of it. Not usually likely when it comes to me and the ESB's.

Who: Cathy
Where: Home
Price: $$
Score: 4 / 5

Happy Drinking!