Winter Storm
Heavy Seas Beer

Winter StormWinter Storm
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From:
Heavy Seas Beer
 
Maryland, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #35
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
86
Ranked #20,066
Avg:
3.8 | pDev: 11.84%
Reviews:
553
Ratings:
1,101
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 13, 2024
Added:
Feb 17, 2004
Wants:
  41
Gots:
  113
Winter Storm might just be the best example of who we are here at Heavy Seas. Our winter ale draws on hops from the west coast and the UK for its pronounced bitterness. A mix of pale and darker malts give it its tawny color and robust body. True to the style, Winter Storm’s aroma is full of nutty malts and earthy hops. This is an exceptionally balanced beer for that time of year when the days get shorter, the nights grow longer and the air is crisp. Inspired by the classic English extra special bitter, but brewed in our Fearless, Bold and Independent style.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BillRoth:
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Rated by BillRoth from Maryland

4/5  rDev +5.3%

Nov 24, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by YeastEnthusiast from New Jersey

Jan 13, 2024
Photo of bauersteven
Reviewed by bauersteven

1.66/5  rDev -56.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
English bitters are one of my favorite styles, but this one was a very big disappointment. Metallic-tasting and much too bitter. I did not like this beer at all.
Dec 22, 2023
Photo of Griffin2
Reviewed by Griffin2 from Virginia

3.81/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 ounce bottle with a best by date of March 3, 2024 into a shaker pint glass.
L - Pours a reddish brown color with a slight tan head.
S - Smells malty .
T - Tastes of caramel with some bitterness, and a slightly sweet finish.
F - Medium body and carbonation.
O - I haven't had an ESB in a while, this is a nice change of pace beer.
Dec 13, 2023
Photo of 1BrewBacca
Rated by 1BrewBacca from Georgia

3.79/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Amber red pour, white head. Somewhat dry but clean on the palate.
Nov 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.76 by Rainintheface from Florida

Nov 20, 2023
 
Rated: 3 by wac9 from Pennsylvania

Jan 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.11 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts

Jan 03, 2023
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Reviewed by puck1225 from Texas

3.94/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bought a bottle of this beer with my son in PA. Poured into a shaker pint. Nice reddish brown color with good beige head and curtain lacing. Earthy caramel smell and taste. Strong bitter finish. Great with Christmas snacks!
Dec 24, 2022
 
Rated: 3.41 by Ernald_Elbertson from Delaware

Dec 24, 2022
 
Rated: 3.51 by cwm51662 from Indiana

Dec 18, 2022
Photo of teromous
Reviewed by teromous from Virginia

3.49/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
From the back label: "22190 BEST BY MAR1323"

Appearance: The body is a reddish-brown color with very good clarity. It has a medium-sized head that is creamy textured with an off-white tobacco stained color. Good retention and lacing.

Aroma: Dry milk aroma with some dusty pine boughs. Overall aroma is mild.

Taste: Up front there is a touch of lemon mixed with some pine. Orange flavor comes through with some pine as it rolls over the tongue. A very light touch of caramel. Slightly burnt caramelized marmalade on the finish.

Mouthfeel: It is medium-bodied leaning a bit on the fuller side with good carbonation. A light slickness to the beer. A mild hop bitterness. Easy to drink.

Overall: The neckerchief states that this is an "Imperial ESB" and that this is "7.5% Alc./Vol." It tastes good with pleasant notes of orange marmalade and hints of pine and caramel. Although the hop character is nice, it seems to present a lot more hop flavor than the malt counterpart. It is good but I wouldn't recommend it to somebody looking for an ESB. It might be worth buying a single or tossing into a mix-a-six. The orange-like character is enjoyable in a beer when things are a bit cold outside, similar to the "Winter Storm" namesake, but it wouldn't be something I would probably buy again.
Nov 24, 2022
 
Rated: 3.76 by selekt0r

Nov 21, 2022
 
Rated: 3.79 by QuintusHorace from California

Nov 18, 2022
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Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Clear deep copper body with a large beige head and good lacing. Dank aroma, some caramel, a bit nutty,, herbal hops. Taste is hoppier than the aroma might suggest. Herbal and spicier with some pine lurking in the background. Malts provide a strong backbone. Bitter aftertaste. Well carbonated, full bodied mouthfeel. Drinks like an Imperial ESB (if there were such a style).
Oct 29, 2022
 
Rated: 3.78 by Mac_Cheesin from Maryland

Oct 21, 2022
 
Rated: 4.03 by kraut6363 from Pennsylvania

Dec 31, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

May 18, 2020
Photo of chitoryu12
Reviewed by chitoryu12 from Florida

4.27/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Look: Clear amber with some minor carbonation bubbles rising. Slightly over half a finger of bubbly white head with decent retention.

Smell: Doughy malt, toffee, caramel.

Taste: Malty, with a slight metallic note, and generally sweet. Very mild hop flavor and limited bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Full, chewy body with good carbonation.

Overall: Not the most amazing ESB on the market, but very warming in the cold.
Apr 22, 2020
Photo of gestyr
Reviewed by gestyr from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle. Bought a discounted 6 pack as its best buy date was 17 Feb 2019.

Pours a nice deep reddish amber with a thick, long lasting off-white head that leaves lots of lacing.
Smells of malt, toffee, caramel and a hint of hops
Tastes strongly of malt and toffee with a hint of dark fruit. There is a distinct bitterness that balances the sweetness.
The body is on the heavy end of medium bodied.
I have no idea what this beer went through in the year since it expired but it did age well. :) It reminds me of a Barleywine.
Apr 04, 2020
Winter Storm from Heavy Seas Beer
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 1101 ratings