Clipper City Heavy Seas Winter Storm (Imperial IPA)

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Tried a 10 oz sample in a flight of 3 lunch-time beers at Tuskies in Leesburg (see retailer review). Unlike most winter warmers, this year's Winter Storm is light colored and hoppy, very hoppy. Draft version (2004) is amber-gold, almost honey colored from the tap, with decent lacing. Hops dominate the aroma profile. Taste is pretty hoppy, too. While I like hops (a lot!) I certainly did not expect so little of anything else remarkable. Aftertaste = hops. A great Imperial IPA, but not a particularly enticing winter warmer.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Tap at my favorite restaurant. Big hazy orange-amber glass, with small head and subtle hop aroma. Huge hop flavor, quite bitter, but pleasant. A great beer, but almost too bitter, but smoothes as you get towards the bottom of the glass. A great beer.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Reddish gold color. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is floral and grapefruity hop, a touch sweet. A medium to full bodied Imperial IPA. Malts are fruity and sweet, touch of caramel. Hops are grapefruity with a touch of pine. Medium bitter, fairly hoppy imperial India Pale Ale. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and crisp. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Pours an amber color with a HUGE off white head. (A little too big for me). The head was very creamy, and there was nice lacing. Citrus hop and caramel aroma. Bitter, spicy hop taste. Creamy mouthfeel. IIPA meets American Strong.