Seems like a nice night to crack the next mega beer from the Heavy Seas collection. Below Decks was brewed to celebrate Clipper City Brewing Company
"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."
Pours dark. Very dark. Dark, dark, dark amber, almost brown. The head is thin but very well formed and as it dissipates it forms a perfect, long lasting, halo around the top of the glass. Its quite a sight actually.
Smells sweet, juicy, malty with hints of raisin bread? Sure, why not. Its my beer and I can say it smells like that. Its a rich smell that is complex for sure with lots of things coming to mind. It leads me to believe that this is a beer that will have a lot of taste...
...and it does not disappoint. First taste is very strong malt sweetness followed by alcohol bitterness. Dark, dried fruit and candied oranges come to mind. The high alcohol content consistently comes into play as I sip this beer. Its almost brandy-like in some ways. Overall, its a very, very flavorful, full-bodied and voluptuous beer. Me thinks I'll sip this one for a bit and enjoy it. Yet another winner from Clipper City. Oh yeah, if you find a bottle take a close look at the label, its a classic.
BEER FACTS
Name: Below Decks (2007)
Style: Barleywine
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Container: 12 oz. bottle
Malts: Magnum, Fuggles & Goldings
Hops: Pale, Crystal & Carapils
ABV: 10%
IBUs: ?
The Heavy Seas Collection is:
Small Craft Warning Über pils - Strong Pilsner (Year Round)
Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale - India Pale Ale (Year Round)
Peg Leg Stout - Imperial Stout (Year Round)
Holy Sheet - Strong, Dark Belgian Ale (February Release)
Red Sky at Night - Saison Ale (May Release)
Hang Ten - Weizen Dopplebock (July Release)
Winter Storm - ESB (mid-October Release)
Below Decks - Barleywine (December Release)
