Southern Tier

Today's post includes beers I have tried over the last few months from Southern Tier Brewing Co. They are located in Lakewood, New York and make some of the most interesting tasting beers I have had.

Choklat Stout | Imperial Stout | 9.5% abv: Chocolate literally whoffs off this stout. Carbonation is almost none existent and the head quickly dissipates to a ring of lacy bubbles. It is rich, thick and completely indulgent for a beer. Its black depths reward the drinker with chocolate, bitter, malty and sweet all at once, yin yang like. Very reminiscent of malted chocolates but not nearly as sweet. Be careful with this one, this big bottle packs a punch and not just on your wallet!

Creme Brulee Stout | Imperial Milk Stout | 10% abv: Black, Opaque stout with a thick receding head. Excellent aroma of malted candies, caramelized sugar, alcohol & vanilla. Very creamy on the palate from the added lactose. Taste is rather roasty with caramel & vanilla. It is sweet but not nearly as sweet as it smells. Drinks thick with a good amount of booze coming through. Well balanced with its bitter finish. Quite delicious in moderation.

Pumking | Pumpkin Ale | 7.9% abv : Pours orange with a nice head and lacing. Strong aroma of ginger snap cookies, spices and creaminess. Taste wise it is sweet with a nice amount of spices like ginger, nutmeg and clove. Quite creamy and vanilla like on the palate. Finishes spicy with decent bittering. Very interesting pumpkin ale, definitely the most unusual and best tasting one I have had.

Southern Tier IPA | India Pale Ale | 6.9% : A crystal clear copper coloured ale with a thick off white head. Great aroma with lots of hops, sweet malt, citrus and yeast. Taste is hop forward with lots of hoppy grapefuit & pine flavors. Pretty amazing what a good amount of hops can do to a beer. Good malt flavor as well, medium bodied and it is well carbonated. Finishes refreshing with a lingering bitterness. A solid IPA.

Gemini | Double IPA | 10.5% ABV : This is a limited release blended ale. It contains a 50-50 mix of their Hoppe & Unearthly ale meant to mimic the twin constellation, Gemini. You don't get much more beer geek then that!

Pours a slightly cloudy orange with excellent retention and lacing. Big sweet malt aroma with lots of hoppy goodness like citrus, pine and fresh hop cones. Smells divine! Taste wise it is a mouth full. First flavor is thick malt quickly followed by a full hop explosion on your tongue. Oddly enough there is not a whole lot of hop character, just bittering and some resiny flavors. Dangerously hidden booze, smooth carbonation and medium bodied. Finishes with a nice sweet/bitter balance.