Heavy Seas Loose Cannon IPA

It’s the time of year where I start hitting up the lighter colored brews. IPAs, pilsners, lagers, ales, things like that. So yup, today it’s another all-American IPA from the east coast!

Heavy Seas?is based out of Baltimore and is another one of those breweries I’ve been really looking forward to trying. Back in November, when while visiting our daughter’s Godparents in Virginia, another craft beer fan pointed out Loose Cannon in the cooler and said “That’s the one you have got to try, if you’re an IPA fan.”

So, I filed it away, not even thinking about the blog at that time and figured I’d get it before long. But when I came home, it was nowhere to be found. None of the local liquor stores had it, so I figured I’d pick some up, next visit to Virginia. And then last week, Frank surprised me when he pointed it out on the shelf.

SOLD!

And man…I have to say, it was worth the wait.

What they say: “Burnished gold with a rich citrus hop aroma, it is wonderfully drinkable with a big hop flavor. We?ve knicknamed it Hop³?(hop cubed) ale to reflect the enormous amount of hops in this beer: over 3 pounds per barrel! It is hopped 3 ways: in the kettle, in the hop back, and dry hopped. Pairs well with strong cheeses and steak. 2nd Place CAMRA award winner at the 2010 Great British Beer Festival”

What I say:
Get. This. Beer.

Now.

I think I just found my new favorite American IPA.

First of all, I love the packaging. It catches your eye without being too flashy. Smart use of color and fun graphics, to boot.

Pours a nice amber color with dark orange lowlights under a nice, light colored head that fades fast, but never goes away completely. Leaves really nice lacing on the glass.

It has a nice, citrus aroma over a light pine. You catch the hops, but the scent is not at all bitter, like I’ve come to expect from an IPA.

The taste…oh the taste. It is incredibly smooth for such a hopped up ale. Very well balanced with the fruitiness and hoppiness and it drinks very nicely. There is very little carbonation, and it?feels great as it crosses the tongue. The only minor drawback might be the hop coating it leaves behind. If ?you intend to drink something different after one of these, you will definitely need to cleanse the palate, first.

Most of the India Pale Ales I’ve tried (and many that I love!), have a bit of a dry finish. But not this one – it’s almost creamy in nature. It comes in at 7.25%, but you may not want to drink more than a couple. The sweetness might start to get to you. But for one or two, it’s just awesome.

After having Loose Cannon, I am very much looking forward to trying other beers from Heavy Seas.

I’m going to give this one at 8 out of 10. Like I said, this is easily my new favorite IPA. It was worth the wait, but man…I wish I hadn’t waited so long!