Clipper City's Bombers have landed
The first of Clipper City's Heavy Seas bomber series has landed in local stores.
The Big DIPA or Double India Pale Ale appeared in 22-ounce "bomber" bottles. The Maryland distributor is Republic National. I found it in local liquor stores at $6 a bottle.
Clipper City's Hugh Sisson said the line began as pet project. Brewers made small batch experiments for folks who worked at the brewery. Now they are bottling these pet projects.
In addition to the DIPA, the brewery has plans to release a Heavy Seas Imperial Octoberfest, a Heavy Seas Imperial Pumpkin Ale, and Belgian triple to be named later, in the bomber bottles.
I tasted the Big DIPA Thursday. It is gorgeous, a rich copper body and creamy head. The brewers say they use 5 pounds of hops ber barrel, and the hops make themselves known both on the nose and the palate. It is a bit sweet, and its 10.5 % ABV stands up and says hello. This "bomber" does pack a wallop,too much firepower for me.
Why is this bottle size called a bomber? I heard it came from the B22 bombers of World War II.
Anybody else hear that?
Any other theories?
Any other opinions on this bomber?
Comments
Yes!! My liquor store owner will be so happy now that I can stop bugging him about getting these in stock.
Posted by: WillClark4HOF | July 10, 2009 9:23 AM
Delicious double IPA! For the price, you really can't beat it (of course you'd have to be a fan of the style as well)
I had it at the brewery when it was fresh. Too over-the-top then for me. The hops were just overwhelming without much balance.
Now that it's had a chance to mellow out a bit in the bottle, there's a great balance and I can honestly say it's one of the better Imperial IPAs I've had (and I've had a lot!)
Great work Clipper City. Can't wait for the next 22oz'er this Fall.
Posted by: Brad | July 11, 2009 1:04 PM
Rob, I had my first bottle of this new brew last night. This beer is like Loose Canon on steroids! That said the drinkability and complexity of this beer is excellent. For hop heads this is a must sample beer...
Posted by: Joe Gold | July 12, 2009 2:40 PM
Mahaffey's had a big public unveiling last Wednesday with both the 22oz. bomber and the draft version. Both were great with my preference leaning towards the bomber. It could have been the colder temp of the bottle but it seemed a little more balanced. They sold out a whole case of the 22's in about an hour or so and about 80 pints of the draft. It was good to see Hugh out and about too. Definitely an uber hopped imp. IPA but not cloyingly sweet given it's 10.6% abv. I also had it on cask before it was released at the Frederick Spring Beer Fest. It should be a strong contender and rivals anything I've had in its class from Lagunitas, Stone, Dogfish or Russian River
Posted by: Dominic Cantalupo | July 13, 2009 8:20 PM