Ahoy there, matey. Are you ready for a beer? I’ve got a good one here tonight, Heavy Seas Mutiny Fleet 2010 Below Decks Barleywine Aged in Cabernet Barrels. Then too, this being 2012 and all, I’ve actually aged the brew a bit further myself. The interesting part here is that, at least the last time I tried the brew, I wasn’t a big fan of Heavy Seas Below Decks Barleywine, which is the base beer here.

Here, though, Clipper City has taken that brew and aged it in wine casks. Such experiments generally yield interesting results, so we’ll see how things pan out with this one. Below Decks Barleywine Aged in Cabernet Barrels is part of the “Mutiny Fleet” of strong beers, and I bought this one in 2010 for a reasonable $5.99 for the 22 ounce bomber bottle.

Heavy Seas calls the base beer an “English style Barleywine”, though those rarely reach the 10% alcohol content by volume that this one boasts. They do offer the option of again it as I did; truth be told, it probably would do well with even more age than I put on it.

Heavy Seas Mutiny Fleet 2010 Below Decks Barleywine Aged in Cabernet Barrels pours to a dark chestnut color with a minimal head formation and a fascinating nose that can’t decide if it leans more towards the grape or the grain. I say that because I get a little vinous fruit but also some bready malt there, perhaps both in equal proportion. Taking a sip, I get much more of the chewy caramel malt up front, along with some of those fresh bread notes with a dash of candied fruit and spice cake. A hint of toasted oak pokes through, too.

In the finish, the fruity dark cherry vinous cabernet grape notes arrive along with a big warming alcohol burn. The beer seems a bit peppery at the last too, All in all, a lovely beer, graced with a hint of wine. The beer rules, though, while the wine serves to season it. Well as it should be; beer trumps wine every time.

I was very impressed with this beer. It was indeed a very tasty sipping brew, complex and potent indeed. I liked it so much, in fact, that it has sparked a desire to try the base beer again and see if it has changed. If you see a bottle of this one, I would certainly recommend picking it up.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft



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