This coming January, the Baltimore beer community can expect some big changes from Heavy Seas. According to the brewery, these modifications have all been made to better reflect the Heavy Seas' brand and its focus.

The biggest change Heavy Seas has in store for 2013 is the rebranding of the Mutiny Fleet as the Unchartered Waters line, in which all beers will be influenced by wood in one way or another. In January of 2013, Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout aged in bourbon barrels will be released, followed by the Oak Aged Big DIPA in March and Holy Sheet Über Abbey Ale aged in brandy barrels in May. The popular Great'ER Pumpkin will be released as is typical in September. Finally the style of Yule Tide, the November release, will be determined closer to November of 2013.

Heavy Seas also has preliminary plans to release three products in cans in 2013. Consumer can expect Loose CANnon, Davey Jones' Lager and an Oktoberfest style to appear in cans at many local liquor stores this coming year. Additionally, there is a planned expansion of their cask ale offerings for retailers. Dry-hopped firkins of Loose Cannon and Powder Monkey (a pale ale) will still be offered year round. However, the brewery will also incorporate preset quantities of all seasonal beers and Unchartered Waters beers.

The Clipper Fleet is undergoing a change that could take some getting used to, as each of the beers takes on a new name that aims to improve the cohesiveness with the Heavy Seas brand. Heavy Seas Märzen will now be Cutlass Amber; Heavy Seas Pale Ale will now be Powder Monkey; Heavy Seas Gold Ale will now be Gold. Additionally, Hugh Sisson has decided to discontinue sales of Heavy Seas Classic Lager based on the need to allocate precious production resources to products he vviews as more successful.

We're looking forward to seeing all the new names, checking out the new labels and artwork and, especially, drinking the beer.