Heavy Seas Beer
| File:Heavyseaslogo.gif | |
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founder | Hugh Sisson |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Beer |
Production output | 34,000 barrels/year |
| Owner | Hugh Sisson |
| Website | www.hsbeer.com |
Heavy Seas Beer is brewed by Clipper City Brewing Company, in Baltimore, Maryland. The brewery was established by Hugh Sisson in 1995. Previously, Sisson operated Maryland's first brewpub, Sisson's.[1] In 2010, the brewery rebranded. While the name of the company remains Clipper City Brewing Company, all of its beer falls under the Heavy Seas brand. Heavy Seas hosts free tours almost every Saturday at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.[2] It is located at 4615 Hollins Ferry Road, Suite B, in the Halethorpe section of Baltimore.[3] Heavy Seas currently offers a variety of beer styles in approx. 18 states within the United States. Several Heavy Seas beers have been awarded and include the following: Cutlass Amber Lager (a repeat medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival from 2006-2010 & silver medal winner at the 2012 World Beer Cup as Heavy Seas Märzen), Powder Monkey Pale Ale (2008 silver medal winner at Great American Beer Festival & bronze medal winner at the 2010 World Beer Cup as Heavy Seas Pale Ale), Small Craft Warning Uber Pils (2004 bronze medal winner Great American Beer Festival), Gold Ale (gold award winner at the 2010 World Beer Cup as Heavy Seas Gold Ale) and Winter Storm Imperial ESB (gold award winner at the 2008 World Beer Cup).
History
In 1994, Hugh Sisson left his family-owned and -operated brewpub, Sisson's, to focus on brewing beer at a larger scale. Sisson, who is responsible for the legalization of brewpubs in the state of Maryland, originally targeted Baltimoreans as his main consumer base; he intended to fill the niche left open by the relocation of the National Bohemian brand. Clipper City was named after the clipper ship, which was first constructed in Baltimore.
When the craft brewing industry experienced a contraction in the late '90s,[4] Clipper City resorted to contract brewing to stay afloat financially. In 2003, Clipper City started its Heavy Seas brand--intended for higher gravity beers. The new brand took off; the beers under the Heavy Seas line could sell in more states than could Clipper City beers, limited as they were by insular branding. Due to the steady success of the Heavy Seas brand, Sisson and his crew decided to rebrand Clipper City beers in 2010; the beers under the Clipper City brand now sell as Heavy Seas Gold Ale, Heavy Seas Powder Monkey Pale Ale and Heavy Seas Cutlass Amber Lager.
In 2011, the brewery tacked on 10,000 square foot addition to its 15,000 sq. ft. brewery. Heavy Seas beers sell in 18 states, from Florida to Maine and as far west as Michigan.[1]
Beers
Year Round Offerings
- Gold Ale, Approx. 4.5% ABV
- Powder Monkey Pale Ale, Approx. 4.75% ABV
- Cutlass Amber Lager, Approx. 5.25% ABV
- Loose Cannon American Hop³ IPA, Approx. 7.25% ABV
- Peg Leg Imperial Stout, Approx. 8% ABV
- Small Craft Warning Uber Pils, Approx. 7% ABV
Seasonal Offerings
| Name | Availability | Style | ABV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Cannon | January-March | Black IPA | 7.25 |
| Riptide | April-June | White IPA | 7.25 |
| Red Sky At Night | July-September | Belgian Style Saison Ale | 7.5 |
| Winter Storm | October-December | "Category 5 Ale" Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB) | 7.5 |
Uncharted Waters
Heavy Seas' most creative offerings influenced by the addition of wood.
| Name | Availability | Style | ABV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siren Noire | January | Imperial Chocolate Stout aged in bourbon barrels | 9.5 |
| Big DIPA | March | Double IPA aged on oak | 10.5 |
| Holy Sheet | May | Uber Abbey Ale aged in brandy barrels | 9 |
| Plank III | July | Belgian-style Ale aged on Jamaican Allspice wood | 8 |
| Great'ER Pumpkin | September | Imperial Pumpkin Ale aged in bourbon barrels | 9 |
| Yule Tide | November | Imperial Red Ale infused with ginger and aged in rum barrels | TBD |
Now in Cans
- Loose CANnon (American IPA), 7.25% ABV
References
- ^ a b Ladd, Jenn (2011-10-05). "Ale Blazer - News and Features - Baltimore City Paper". Citypaper.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ^ "Brewery Tours | Heavy Seas Beer". Hsbeer.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ^ "Directions To The Brewery | Heavy Seas Beer". Hsbeer.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ^ "American Craft Brewing Modern History". Brewers Association. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-11-09.