Skinsfan1311

I echo that sentiment....how is the "Thank You Very Much!" ? Went to the Heavy Seas Brewery yesterday, (thanks for the hookup, Rince!), so I could try some of the "Black Cannon" and determine if it's keg-worthy. They were serving on draft and it's very, very good. Rince suggested that I cut it with some regular Loose Cannon and all I can say is "WOW!" Unbelievable! I picked up a 6-pack of it and drank a few last night. While the Black Cannon is excellent, I don't think that I want an entire keg of it, so I'll probably tap a keg of Loose Cannon instead and just buy the Black Cannon by the 6-pack...

That's exactly what happened to me back in '06. I'm not a fan of the style and I tried a sample of it at the brewery and did not like it at all. I said as much to the brewerys founder, and managing partner, (Hugh Sisson). He suggested that I do exactly as I suggested to you in my earlier post, (#1557). I was skeptical, but did it anyway. I could not believe how much it changed, (evolved?), and for the better. I know that's supposed to work with wine, but that was my first experience with cellaring beer and seeing the results first-hand. My only regret was not buying more. I've since learned and stock up every year, no matter what it tastes like when it's released. I wish that it was still bottled in 4-packs.

Lay down a few bottles for a year, or so, and see how nicely they evolve. Just out of curiosity, what year did you sample? I don't ever recall having a Below Decks that was lively carbonated, except when I cracked open a new bottle of the '09. I didn't care for the '06, '07 or '08 when right after they were bottled, but I loved 'em after laying them down for a couple of years. I just tried the 2010 at the brewery a couple of weeks agon. It is way too sweet for me. I'm going to pick up a couple of bombers, and just sit on them.

Below Decks ages very, very, very well.....I've got bottles going back to '07.....the '06 was the best, but I finished the last of those earlier this year. Do yourself a favor. Buy a few of bottles of Below Decks. Open one now, and try it. Crack open another one in 6 - 9 months. The difference is amazing. Then...crack one open after a year or longer....un-friggin' believable. And this is coming from someone who isn't a big fan of barleywines. The other night, I went out on the back porch, sat in the hot tub, had a couple of bottles of the '07 and enjoyed them with a Macanudo Cru Royale. Doesn't get much better than that! h...and I probably don't need to tell you this, but, in deference to the beer I feel I must; Below Decks is best served at around 50-55 degrees. At that temperature, you will get all the flavor profiles. Try to get your hands on some of the 12 oz bottles if you can.

Same here. I love Loose Cannon, so I can't wait to get a few bombers of this stuff. I hope it's better than "The Big DIPA", which, truthfully, I wasn't too crazy about. It could be that the bottle that I got was stored in the heat, or something. So far, my favorites from the Mutiny Fleet of beers have been the "Prosit" , "Yule Tide" and the "Siren Noire" I guess you can count the "Below Decks", but I the stuff that I have is in 12 oz bottles from 2007 & 2008. Now it's only available in Bombers. I tried some of the 2010 right before Thanksgiving, but it was too sweet and malty for me. It'll probably be very good after it ages for a couple of years.

Rince isn't on-line, but I can answer your question. Yes, that's his company. Met up with Rince a couple of times at the brewery and he's a cool dude.

I'm drinking one as I type this. It's hoppy and delicious!

I think that the brewery charges about $8.00 per six-pack. Rince would know better, as he works there. In any case, that's a damn good price and the Loose Cannon and the Peg Leg are damn good beers!!

Wow....it looks like he's selling Heavy Seas for less than what they charge at the brewery after tours. I'm guessing that the only Heavy Seas beers for $7.99 are the Gold Ale or Pale Ale. I can't imagine him selling a six pack of Loose Cannon, or Peg Leg for $7.99. If so, next time I'm within 10 miles of Hagerstown, I'm stopping in and stocking up!!!

It makes the beer come out of the bottle faster. It's a gimmick by Miller Lite(?) that might help them sell beer.

Guilty as charged:ols: Unfiltered Loose Cannon? Betcha that is seriously good!

With all due apologies to Rince, ....I picked up a keg of Victory Hop Devil yesterday, stuck it in the kegerator to get acclimated, and will be tapping that bad-boy today after playing some golf. :point2sky If any of you hop-heads haven't tried it yet, get your hands on a six-pack and give it a try.

Looking forward to all of 'em! I have a couple 4-packs of Below Decks left. One 2007 & one 2009. I finished my last '06 a few months ago. Ask around the brewery...the '06 was the stuff of legends... And that's what's important. As long as you like it. I piggy-backed this on Rincewind's post, because if you like malty brews, you will absolutely love the Heavy Seas Below Decks. Check with your beer store, and see if they have any of the '09 on hand. The stuff ages like a dream. I'm not big on the malty brews, but this is a barleywine style that just blows me away. It's indescribably delicious.

I was very disappointed in this beer. I expected something totally different. Hops maybe? I share that opinion and the "beer batter" thing sounds like something I would do with a beer that I don't care for. Maybe it's the variety of hops, or I had an old six-pack, or I may just have an unsophisticated palate. The hops were underwhelming. They should've named this stuff "Malt Hog"

I just finished one and I'm glad that I didn't buy a 12-pack. It's okay,(ands probably better when it's 45-50 degrees outside and we're sitting in the hottub), but I doubt I'll ever buy this stuff again.

True. I just grabbed some beer for the tailgate, and snagged a 6 pack. It was $9.99. 12 packs are $15.99, but I'm not buying 12 of something that I'm not sure that I would like. I'm not a big fan of malty or spicy beers, but I'll give this one a try.

Amen! The owner of the liquor told me that the distributors are required to buy a minimum of 1000 cases of Sierra Nevada products. I believe it, as his beer prices are actually pretty good.. We go to S.Lake Tahoe every Jan/Feb and the prices for local beers, and selections, are very good at the grocery store in town. There's always a great selection of 22oz bombers, and that provides ample opportunity to try different beers. There's always deals on Sierra Nevada and Stone offerings.

I don't know how much it cost you guys, but for $15.99 a six-pack, they can keep it. I'll wait until we hit Cali, in January, and try it then. It's probably cheap, and available in bombers, in California grocery stores

Well?? How do you like it? I'm drinking one right now. Unfortunately, it's from a bottle because my keg blew last weekend. I think I'm going to put Victory Hop Devil back in the rotation. Speaking of Heavy Seas....a bunch of us are headed there tomorrow for the Bacon Beer Fest. We went to it last year and it kicked ass! Basically, it's a big party at the brewerey that features a couple of the best things in the world, beer and bacon. In addition to their staples, they've brewed some special beers and ales just for the event....here's a blurb from the Heavy Seas web-site: "Pirates, Pigs & Pints! Our favorite fest of them all! 10+ Bacons from around the world and dishes made with bacon from the area's best restaurants. Be sure to dress like a pirate to help us celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day". There will be a contest & prizes for the Best Dressed Pirate! Our Heavy Seas Beer & Bacon Fest ~ Pyrates, Pigs & Pints will feature some creative firkins! Here's the list: Loose Cannon from a 55 gallon bourbon barrel – pouring directly from that barrel Loose Cannon – the same recipe that we sent to GBBF where it won 2nd place CAMRA Great’er Pumpkin served from a giant pumpkin which our firkin guy grew in his garden Heavy Seas Pale Ale with added local hops ‘Mystery’ firkin! a secret blend of beers. ~ Live Music "All you care to taste" beer & bacon, food made with bacon, plus bacon, bacon, bacon."

I definitely will. I prefer fresh draft beer. True..."bite" may not have been the word that I was looking for. But Loose Cannon, has something that I can't quite put my finger on, that blows the DFH IPA's out of the water. Maybe it is the sweetness, the fact that "the hops don't burn the enamel off your teeth", (the brewers words, not mine), or the smoother mouthfeel . All I know is that it I like it, a lot. I love the Torpedo too, but it's not as drinkable as the Loose Cannon. I keep "emergency" beers in the kegerator, (for when the keg blows), and there are a few Torpedo's in there.

We'll have to agree to disagree. Maybe it's because I've only ever had bottles of the 60 minute, (haven't tried it on draft),but they're very different IMO. Maybe it's the varieties of hops that they use, but it always seems to have an off flavor. Hop Devil and Loose Cannon have a delicious, distinctive bite that the 60 minute just doesn't have. Hop Devil and Heavy Seas Loose Cannon are staples in my kegerator. Since I've only had the DFH 60 minute IPA in bottles, it may not be a fair comparison, as there is nothing as delicious as freshly brewed beer dispensed out of a balanced system. I'd venture to say if you poured a Hop Devil, or Heavy Seas, and a DFH 60 min IPA, and drank them side by side, you would notice a big difference in taste.....

If it's really spicy? Probably the Racer. If not, do a couple of Peroni's. When I was a kid,, (we lived in Naples Italy), we considered Peroni piss-water. Back then,(late 70's/early 80's), Peroni and Nastro Azzuro were different beers. It was ubiquitious and dirt-cheap, (around $2.00 - $3.00 a six-pack), and what we would buy if we didn't have enough money for Beck's or Lowenbrau. We used to call Nastro Azzuro, "Nasty Assuro" Now that I'm older, and wiser(?), I've found that Peroni is actually decent beer. It's light and refreshing........

Agreed. They're okay, if you can find them on sale. The 60 & 90 have an off flavor that I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's the style hops that they use?? The 120 is just plain bad, and a complete rip-off. Don't get me wrong, people like what they like, and that's okay, but Dogfish beers aren't for me. I prefer the bite of Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Victory Hop Devil or Heavy Seas's Loose Cannon. To each his own......

I'm currently enjoying a pint of Heavy Seas Loose Cannon.

That's actually a great idea. 7% still packs a wallop. We'll see you at the Beer and Bacon fest...so far there are 5 of us going. You can't miss us...during football season, I wear Skins jerseys to brewery events. It kind of an ice-breaker and a great way to initiate ****-talking with Ravens fans. What a great weekend that's going to be. Beer and bacon feast on Saturday, tailgating and the Cowboys game on Sunday!!