A man in the water is one of the worst things that can happen to a sailing vessel. Suddenly the entire focus shifts from whatever the mission of the boat is to saving that sailor. It is a singular focus that shifts the mission of the vessel radically and immediately. It is no wonder that the term in the English language has come to represent something that was poorly executed. It has come to symbolize too much of a good thing. Take for example food preparation. Good food takes the right combination ingredients in precise amounts, as well as some heat in an appropriate amount to create something really great. I have recently eaten many of these really great things over the Christmas break. Too much of any one ingredient or heat, and you have made something less than what it was meant to be. There was one Yule Tide beer that I had this season that went a little overboard…
Heavy Seas Yule Tide Ale is a 10% ABV Belgian style triple that takes everything to the extreme. The pour on this ale is very pretty with a golden orange body with a thin white head. The nose on this brew was amazing with a lot of raisin and floral tones. It was a big brew and that was reflected in the nose. The mouth feel of this brew was thick and somewhat creamy very good that way.
When I took my first sip I was about knocked over by the big bold flavors. Lots of malt and sweetness that was followed almost immediately by a sour flavor that was overpowering, and lingered with a metallic aftertaste. This was indeed a bold brew that took no prisoners. The alcohol flavor was in your face, and it had a warm kick to it. I figured out that this bottle was like drinking four shots of Wild Turkey 101 or like drinking a six pack of 3.2 beer which Jim and I were raised on.
The metallic aftertaste was a big turnoff. Otherwise this beer would have been one of the best Belgians I have ever had. But the Heavy Seas threw my taste buds overboard and I wouldn’t get this one again. It was definitely worth trying, and I recommend you give it a go if you have the opportunity. For me however this brew just over delivered to the point that it threw the whole ship to one side and I fell out of the boat!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Ah, it happens. Sometimes beers seem to push the envelope a bit too far but at least you gave it it a try. Sounds like an interesting brew that just didn’t come together!
That is a good way to put it Scott. It just didn’t come together for me. Maybe if I let it mellow in the bottle a year or two it may have mellowed a bit, but it was just a little too much of a good thing this year.
I’ve maybe had one thing by these guys that I’ve liked. I find them to be an uninteresting brewery. The big stuff tends to be off (like metal tastes).
This was definitely interesting, but that metallic flavor ruined it. Very big and bold otherwise.
I sense a nautical theme at work on the site lately, Don. I shipped this one your way without ever having tried it, so I was curious how it was. These guys make a decent porter, but any Belgian with a heavy metallic taste is a turn off for sure. Looks like I won’t be picking one up any time soon..,
It was definitely worth trying. I was thinking that if I let it age a little more in the bottle that might make it better.