21st Amendment Hop Crisis

The Imperial IPA is becoming more and more of a staple in the craft beer world. What once was a style that was kind of "out there" it has become very mainstream in recent time.

Honestly, I chose this beer because of the packaging. Being a designer, when I have trouble picking out a new beer to try, I gravitate towards the best designed package. This can has a fun little cartoonish take on the "hop crisis" of a few years ago when the prices soared, almost crippling the beer industry. Described by the brewery as an:

IPA that breaks all the rules with more malt, more hops and more aroma.

They even age this beer in Oak for good measure.

21st amendment and their "can" only beers, I have had a few IPA's recently in cans, and I just can't seem to get over the "taste" difference. It probably is just in my head that it tastes different, but their is something a bit strange about having a IPA from a can. But for hopheads this is a pretty good option if you have to drink out of a can.

Color is golden with some not quite white head. Floral, fruity and citrus hops. It is a pretty full bodied beer and not overwhelming on the bitterness. You can really taste the oak or grains from the aging process. It was pretty good, but nothing that I will be clamoring to have again.

Happy Drinking!

Who: Me
Where: Home
Price: $$$$
Score: 3 / 5

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!