Beer-a-Day #132
Not too many saisons grace my icebox. I can probably count the number of pints I’ve had on one hand.
Pale yellow; white head. Obviously a Belgian yeast with a lot of complex aromas. Fruity, bubblegum, maybe a little cinnamon. Flavor is complex without overdoing it.
This isn’t something I’d like on a regular basis, but it makes a very pleasant change of pace.
Beer-a-Day #130
I’m breaking my self-imposed “don’t drink a beer you’ve written about before” rule. I last wrote about this beer in August 2006, and I did a lot of yard work today. This is what I want to drink.
Light caramel, white head. Nice floral aroma. Malty but refreshing. I like it. I deserve it.
Beer-a-Day #58
I generally like Clipper City‘s offerings. That they’re local appeals to me as well.
This is an odd one. Not just a weizenbock, but a weizen dopplebock. 10% ABV, but it’s a summer seasonal.
Deep amber to brown; little head. Lots of fruit in the aroma—melon, banana, bubblegum—and a whole lot of that malty goodness you find in a doppelbock. It’s thick, too, like liquid sourdough bread.
Seems too heavy for the summer, but it’s got something going for it. Very interesting.
Beer-a-Day #15
I generally like Clipper City’s offerings. That they’re local is another bonus.
Pours dark brown with a medium brown head that quickly drops to a layer of foam. Definitely a lot of roast coffee in the aroma, as well as a bunch of caramel. More coffee in the flavor, as well as molasses. Nice and creamy.
Beer-a-Day #2
Two days in and I’m already breaking my rule of not writing about something I’ve written about before. However, this is the first beer that I’ve tried cellaring. This is the 2007 “vintage” of Heavy Seas Below Decks. I had the first one last December when it was fresh. Then I wrote about it for Session #17. So I decided to check out my last one a year after my first.
Nice deep coppery brown color, minimal head. Aroma is light, fruity, and a little mediciney. Unlike back in July, I’m not getting as much of that bourbon-like essence. It’s still pretty good, but I find I’m not enjoying it quite as much as I did back in July.
Heavy Seas Below Decks Barley Wine Style Ale from Clipper City Brewing
This edition of The Session is sponsored by Rob at Pfiff!.
Session #17 – Going Against the Grain Bill: Solstice Edition
The subject for July’s Session could be summed up thusly: Drinking anti-seasonally. Think of this as the unorthodox cousin of such topics as “beer and food” and “beer and music”. Beer and weather, perhaps? More like beer despite the weather, I guess. Cracking open a Guinness on the beach, finishing a day of yardwork with a Speedway Stout, or whatever else you do that raises an eyebrow (again, beer-related, please), do us all a favor an dtake a few moments to share your non-conformist tale (again, you kangaroos and lemurs down there, your take on this could be even more peculiar, so do chime in, please).
I had mixed feelings about this edition of the The Session. I was anticipating starting off this Fourth of July holiday by cutting my grass. With a very steep hill in the back it’s hot and thirsty work. The idea of spending an hour straining in the hot sun and coming inside to have something dark and heavy was, well, concerning me. It appears, though, that a rainy day has saved me from that fate. (It has also ruined any chance for fireworks, which is disappointing itself.)
On the other hand, I’m just starting to experiment with cellaring beer. I have some of Clipper City’s Heavy Seas Below Decks Barley Wine in storage. This is the 2007 “vintage”. I had one last year in December, and I am curious as to how it has aged. I was going to wait until December–or at least the Fall–to try the next one, but now seems like a perfect time.
From the label:
Our nod to classic English Barleywine-style ales, Below Decks is deep copper in color with a luxurious malt character. Have some now…and cellar some for later! Very limited release. 10% Alc./Vol.
Deep copper color. Decent-sized head with small bubbles. Very malty aroma with an almost bourbon-like scent. Not much aroma from the hops. Thick in the body, with some heat from the alcohol. More of that essence of bourbon, including a tingle on my lips. Finish is surprisingly light.
That’s good. I’m enjoying it. A great beer to have on a cold and rainy day like today. I’m looking forward to the next one at the end of the year.
