August 04, 2010
Small Craft Warning
This week we have a beer donated to me by Graumagus of Frizzen Sparks. I’m not sure where he found this beer, but it’s not one I’ve found locally. Tonight I’ll be reviewing Heavy Seas Small Craft Warning Uber Pils by Clipper City Brewing Company LP in Baltimore, MD.
It came in a 12 oz brown bottle. The label is broken into two distinctive different parts. The top half is a greenish color with the Small Craft Warning in it, the warning is written sideways on the vertical. The bottom has a cartoonish picture of a pirate (?) on a raft holding onto a mast and looking through a spy glass. There is a parrot on the raft with him. At the bottom of the label it has a notch marking system to give a best by date. This one was labeled Sept, 2010.
The beer has a nice golden amber coloring to it. It’s opaque, no sign of haziness or distortion. Light passes through easily and you can make out objects on the other side while looking through the beer. When I poured it into a glass, a quarter inch white head formed. It faded to a film on the top of the beer. There is minimal lacing on the side of the glass.
The scent of the beer starts with a citrus and floral hop smell. It’s followed with a cereal like grain scent. There is some breadiness as well as a hint of lemon grass. On first taste the first thing I noticed was a cereal malt flavor. It’s followed by the citrus and floral hop blend. There is a touch of yeast to it that helps round out the flavor and provide a balance to the hops and malts.
This a medium bodied beer. There is a good amount of carbonation to the beer, some bite on the tongue but not a lot.
I’m a fan of pilsners, I’m not exactly sure what an “Uber Pils” is, but it’s not like most pilsners I’ve drank. It’s light and crisp and with a 7.0 ABV you really can’t taste the alcohol. I could see kicking back and enjoying one with friends. I give it 6 out of 10.
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