Heavy Seas - Holy Sheet (Über Abbey Ale)

Holy sheet! It's been a while since we blogged. After a couple of concerts, we are back. It's been some time but we are ready to get our sheet together and write. With us today is our good friend Jason (who has helped produce wines at a local winery) to help us examine an abbey style ale in his second appearance in our blog. Holy Sheet is a 9% Belgian Abbey style ale by Heavy Seas (Clipper City Brewing) that is only produced in February. Holy sheet, our timing is good.


The first thing you notice from the brew is a sweet, fruity boquet. As Jason puts it, "It smells like Niagra grape jam." The dark burgundy red color hints a darker, stronger abbey ale than we are used to. The taste is almost true maple syrup-like with little to no hop flavor. When the brew finishes, you are hit with an slighty coffee taste then progresses to a foamy, light alcohol ending, slightly tart in flavor.

Holy Sheet is an abbey ale, with an American micro brew twist. Using something new on an old standard,... kind of like drinking Falco's 'Rock Me Amadeus.' The flavors don't quite unite harmoniously and it seems to be lacking for this style of beer. This is a brew that you'd have to be in the mood for.... and we were in the mood for love. Enter, Hopslam!

Oz Scale: 6.6
Mike Scale: 6.8
Jason Scale 6.6

Stoudts Double India Pale Ale

After a failed attempt Monday night at finding a decent IPA (seriously, the only one we found in this town was from Sleemans,) we made an journey to our favorite beverage shop. Lena's in Painesville is only 31 miles away, after all. Sitting proudly in the third cooler sat Stoudts Double India Pale Ale. Having great memories of the only Stoudt we have every tried, we picked up a 6-pack. Helping us with the pivotal third opine today is Mr. Johnny V.

This (D)IPA floats like a mist through your mouth, whispering in every delicate flower's ear. This brew bites initially like a Doberman but pulls back and leaves you with a Maltese. This beverage has a sweet overtone which is quite uncommon in most American IPA's. Strong, yet subtle, the smooth ale finishes without the kick you would come to expect from the style.

However, extra points have to be awarded for the individuality of this brew. This 90 IBU, 10% ABV, bottle conditioned brew could be transitional to some but not to Mr. Bud Light. This Pennsylvanian brewery has batted 1.000 with us and keeps us excited to try more.

Oz Scale: 7.7
Mike Scale: 8.1
Mr. V Scale: 7.1