Clearwater, FL – Big Storm Brewing Company, Florida’s fastest growing craft brewery, announced the official release of Category 5, a Belgian Quintupel, the fifth offering in its Belgian-style Hurricane Series.
The preceding beers in the Big Storm’s Hurricane Series were released in conjunction with the Atlantic Hurricane Season, each named for the different storm levels defined by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. As hurricanes grow stronger with each category, so does the ABV in the Big Storm Hurricane series.
BELGIAN SINGLE – CATEGORY 1 ABV 6.0 / IBU 15
BELGIAN DUBBEL – CATEGORY 2 ABV 6.6 / IBU 18
BELGIAN TRIPEL – CATEGORY 3 ABV 9.2 / IBU 38
Belgian Quadrupel – Category 4 ABV 10.6 / IBU 25
Big Storm’s newest release is a Belgian Quintupel called Category 5, and is being released to celebrate the end of storm season in Florida. The strength of this beer is true to its namesake and will boast an ABV of 11.1 percent. Because of high gravity nature of this beer, Big Storm will only sell it in their local taprooms and in 5oz pours.
It took Big Storm brewers four separate mashes to get just eight barrels of wort for this massive beer! After an initial fermentation with their Belgian yeast strain they added a classic champagne yeast and moved the beer into French and Hungarian white oak Chardonnay barrels. The Category 5 went through a slower secondary and aging for the next four months with delicious results.
The beer pours a stunning golden-copper with a thin head that quickly dissipates due to the higher alcohol content. Aroma and flavors of honey, vanilla, oak, and liqueur with hints of banana and clove. Belgian fans will enjoy a sweet and smooth, mouth-coating presence with a touch of alcohol in the finish.
“After our Belgian Single was awarded a Silver Medal at this year’s Best Florida Beer Competition, we knew we were on to something, and decided to expand our Belgian offerings,” stated Mike Bishop, Founder of Big Storm. “We never expected the Hurricane Series to be as popular as they have been.”
So popular, that Big Storm created special flight paddles to serve all 5 Belgian selections in a circular shape to mimic a satellite view of a hurricane.
Category 5 will be available on Nov. 1 in both of Big Storm’s Taprooms (Pinellas – 12707 49th St. N. in Clearwater, and Pasco – 2330 Success Drive in Odessa). A 5oz pour will cost you $7.95, and the entire Hurricane Series Flight will be $17.95.
About Big Storm Brewing Co.
Founded in 2012, Big Storm Brewing Co. was created to fill a void in the Tampa Bay local craft beer market approachable beer, made with spirit, authenticity and quality that everyone could enjoy. From the quintessential beer nerd to the everyday beer drinker, Big Storm beers have earned the reputation for being exceptionally drinkable. Best known for their signature brands Arcus IPA, Wavemaker® Amber Ale, Helicity™ Pilsner and Oats In Hose® Oatmeal Stout, Big Storm is a true craft pioneer using locally sourced ingredients like wild flower honey to lend a subtle sweetness for a clean finish in its IPA. These award winning suds are named after the common summer storms along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
In early 2016 Big Storm opened their landmark 16,000 SF production brewery and taproom in Clearwater, FL and expanded the original taproom and brewery in Odessa, FL to 8,000 SF.
Big Storm Brewing Co. is one to watch, producing beer that is artisanal, complex and catering to craft beer enthusiasts and regular beer drinkers alike.
For more information, visit the website at www.bigstormbrewery.com.