Miasmatic Review

Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale

Tonight is another beer donated by Graumagus of Frizzen Sparks. He is determined to get his enabler glass this year. Tonight we continue with beers from the High Seas line of beers from the Clipper City Brewing Company in Baltimore, MD. We’ll be reviewing Loose Cannon Hop3 IPA. Now, as a disclaimer, I will be rating this beer twice. I am not a fan of IPAs and generally try to avoid reviewing them due to my predisposition of not liking the style. I do try them on a regular basis in case my tastes change or I find an IPA I actually like. The first rating I give it will be my opinion of the beer as an IPA; the second will be my opinion of it as a beer according to my tastes. Please keep that in mind while reading this review.

We still have our standard 12 oz brown bottle. IT has a purple label with the wording “Loose Cannon” in white on the top half. The bottom has a picture of a peg legged pirate firing a cannon that is knocking a pirate over the edge of the ship. The bottom of the label has a notched drink by date. This one indicates September, 2010. There is a purple neck label with the Heavy Seas logo on it. There is a brief description of the beer which brags, “Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale is opulently hopped 3 times in the brewing process.

It pours a transparent golden amber color. Images pass through the body easily. A quarter inch pure white head composed of tiny foamy bubbles. The head fades to a thick film on top of the beer and a lot of lacing on the glass. The head and lacing lasted until the beer was finished.

There is a strong, pungent scent consisting of floral hops that almost overpowers all other scents. A hint of citrus is noticeable that gives the beer a slight pineapple scent. As the beer warms to room temperature a slight cereal scent is noticeable. The first thing you notice on tasting is a strong bitter citrus taste. It’s supported by a balanced combination of floral hops and a touch of orange peel. What malt flavors there are in the beer don’t come out until it warms up to just below room temp.

This is a medium bodied beer. It’s a little heavy in the carbonation for my tastes. It bites the tongue and leaves a tingly sensation even after you’ve swallowed.

For an IPA, especially one that is supposed to be triple hopped IPA, it doesn’t have as strong of a flavor as one would expect. I don’t think I would consider this even a double IPA. As an IPA, I give it 6 out of 10. That being said, I really did not enjoy this beer. I would not be going out of my way to pick this up again. If you like IPAs, then I would suggest giving it a try. If you are like me and don’t like IPAs, avoid this beer. Personally I give it 2.5 out of 10. Now excuse me while I try to go scrape the aftertaste off my tongue.