Southern Tier 2XMAS

The final beer I ordered at TJ’s Restaurant and Drinkery 9th Anniversary Party was the Southern Tier 2XMAS. The beer pours an amber color with a bubbly off-white colored head. The aroma consists of nutmeg, caramel, cinnamon, and allspice. The taste is spicy with the nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon from the aroma with hints of caramel and orange peel in the background, leading to a dry finish. The alcohol content is 8.0% ABV. This beer was all about the spice and quite frankly I wasn’t a huge fan of it. I like most of Southern Tier’s beers, but this one just did not connect for me.

Southern Tier IPA

While out to dinner at the Stonecat Cafe (HIGHLY recommended restaurant!) in the Finger Lakes, I ordered a glass of Southern Tier IPA. The beer pours a golden color with a bubbly white colored head. The aroma consists of lemon, caramel, funk, and pine. The taste is bitter with a good lemon flavor up front and a well-supporting caramel base. A spicy pepper and pine finish rounds the beer out and makes it quite enjoyable. The alcohol content is 7.3% ABV. This was a solid IPA that I could see myself coming back to over and over again as it was easy to drink, refreshing, and had a nice bitterness to it.

Southern Tier 2X Stout

Another beer I ordered at Al’s of Hampden on a recent visit was the Southern Tier 2X Stout. The beer pours a black color with a bubbly tan head. The the aroma consists of milk chocolate, lactose, toasted malts, caramel, and vanilla. The taste is smooth with dry and bitter chocolate, hints of milk chocolate, lactose, and a toasted malt finish. The alcohol content is 7.5% ABV. This was a decent beer and it fits well within the Southern Tier stout family, as it is on the sweet side. However, I expected it to be sweeter, as it is a milk stout.

Southern Tier Oak Aged Pumking

A beer I have been looking for was Southern Tier Oak Aged Pumking, and I have to thank Fat Head’s in Pittsburgh for arranging to tap it when I was in town. The beer pours an orange-amber color with a thin filmy white head. The aroma, as with the non-aged version, consists of pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, pie, and has some hints of oak. The taste is also right down the alley of Pumking, but the oak dulls some of sweetness. It is still easy to pick up the pumpkin pie sweetness, but some of the nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon flavor pull a little more forward. Finally, the oak dries out the finish, eliminating the sweet film that is left on the side of the mouth. The alcohol content is 8.6% ABV. The Oak Aged Pumking is mellower version of a great beer, in my opinion. For those that know me and/or read this blog know that I love Pumking, but I liked this version even better, as the oak gives it a more mature flavor and mouth feel.

Southern Tier Cuvee Series 1

For dinner in Buffalo, some friends and I decided to go to the Blue Monk, as it came highly recommended. On the beer menu, I noticed that they had the Southern Tier Cuvee Series One, and the waitress told me that they received the keg by mistake and aged it for a couple of years before serving it. What great luck! The beer pours a cloudy orange-gold color with a frothy white head. The aroma consists of yeast, orange zest, lemon, and coconut. The taste is sweet and smooth with almonds and coconut immediately hitting the tongue. Orange, lemon, and yeast bring out a citrusy and biscuity flavors with some banana as well. The finish is dry with light pepper and hints of grassy and earthy hops, and the after taste leaves oak on the tongue. The alcohol content is 11.0% ABV. I felt lucky to try this beer after three years, but I was glad that I did. It was a rather complex brew, but the almonds and was a flavor that I am not used to being in a beer, but I really enjoyed it, especially with the coconut.

Southern Tier Hop Sun

I ordered a glass of Southern Tier Hop Sun while out to dinner at The Brewhouse in Camp Hill (yet another failed photo opportunity). The beer pours a golden color with a thin bubbly white head. The aroma is faint but has lemon, wheat, and pine hops. The taste is sweet and light with a good helping of lemon citrus and wheat flavors. The finish has malts sweeten the tongue with a peppery accent and the after taste has a light pine hop dryness. The alcohol content is 5.1% ABV. This was citrus filled beer that was plenty refreshing for the warmer months of the year, and was especially thirst quenching with a plate of food in front of me. This is a great beer to have with the lighter fare typically ordered in summer.

Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly Pale Ale

My buddy DahCheet brought over a bottle of Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly India Pale Ale over to watch the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The beer pours a golden orange color with a thin filmy white head with bits of lacing left on the glass. The aroma is strong and powerful with lots of caramel, vanilla, fresh lemon and pine hops, tangerine, and orange. The taste is biting up front with lemon and pine hops before the oak dryness comes in play. The finish brings out a big caramel profile, and the after taste spritzes some citrus, including lemon, tangerine, and orange. The alcohol content is 11.0% ABV. The smoothness of this beer, courtesy of the caramel, paired with the sweetness and bitterness of the citrus was wonderfully done. The dryness that shows up in the middle due to the oak aging was also quite welcome.

Southern Tier Cuvee Series 3

As part of a beer trade with Lee from Hoptopia, I received a bottle of Southern Tier Cuvee Series Part 3. The beer pours a reddish amber color with a thin and filmy off-white colored head. The aroma consists of sweet malts, raisin, cherry, oak, and yeast. The taste is sweet and cherry right up front with lots of cherry flavor. The finish brings a little bit of roasted malts, raisin, and a bit of yeast. The after taste lets the oak flavor linger on the tongue with a cherry goodness. The alcohol content is 11.0% ABV. This beer, which sides on the sweet part of the palate, is smooth and cherry-filled. I enjoyed the oak finish and after taste, as it helped calm down the sweetness of the beer.

Southern Tier Iniquity

I ordered a bottle of Southern Tier Iniquity at Underdog in Harrisburg. If you have not been to this place, it may be the cheapest craft beer place I’ve seen. The 22oz bomber was $6, as are all bombers, and 12oz craft bottles are $3.50. The beer pours a dark amber color with read hues and a frothy tan head. The aroma consists of toasted malts, raisin, fig, chocolate, and banana. The taste is smooth with raisin and chocolate, fig, and a great yeast profile. The alcohol content is 9.0% ABV. The Iniquity was amazingly smooth and extremely flavorful with plenty of Belgian-inspired flavors. While the beer wasn’t exactly what I was expecting for a black ale, it was quite delicious and I would drink it again.

Southern Tier Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale

I previously had tried Southern Tier Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale at a beer fest, but I was unimpressed. With my change in taste buds, I decided to give it another whirl, and I picked up a bottle at Brass Rail in Campbelltown. The beer pours an amber color with a frothy white head. The aroma consists of lemon, caramel, and fresh pine hops. The taste is light bodied with a light caramel accent. There are accents of pine and lemon hops in the beer, but faint in the background. The finish is lightly dry, but brings in a butterscotch sweetness. The alcohol content is 5.4% ABV. I am glad that I gave this beer another chance, as I did enjoy it much more than when I had it at a beer fest. It wouldn't rank up there as my favorite beer that Southern Tier produces, but it is a solid beer overall.

Southern Tier Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale

I picked up a bottle of Southern Tier Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale from Al's of Hampden. The beer pours a golden color with a frothy white head that sticks to the glass nicely. The aroma consists of caramel and toffee with lemon and pine accents. The taste is smooth and sweet with lots of caramel and toffee hanging on the tongue, a bit of toasted caramel, and a fresh lemon finish. There is a faint pale ale malt flavor, but it hides in the background behind the flowery accents that come along for the ride. The after taste is piney and lightly dry. The alcohol content is 8.0% ABV. The Hoppe is a very smooth drinking and sweet beer that is enjoyable through and through. It has a warming effect for the cooler fall days, while hanging on to the warmer summer months with the lemon and pine end to the beer.

Southern Tier Backburner

I picked up a bottle of Southern Tier Backburner Imperial Barley Wine from Al's of Hampden based on the recommendation of one of the employees. The beer pours a reddish amber color with a foamy beige colored head. The aroma consists of chocolate and raisin with a good mix of dark fruit, caramel malts, and a hint of pine hops. The taste is big and malty with lots of raisin flavor. In the mix you can also find dark fruits, caramel, chocolate, toffee. The finish is perfectly balanced with the sweetness with a light but bitter pine hop bite. The alcohol content is 10.0% ABV. This is by far the best barleywine that I have ever had. Most barleywines hit a little too much on the sweetness or try to overbalance with too many hop. Southern Tier hit the perfect balance without being to sweet or bitter.

Southern Tier 2XIPA

I ordered a glass of Southern Tier 2XIPA from Al's of Hampden. The beer pours a golden color with a thin bubbly head. The aroma consists of lemon and pepper. The taste is lemon and pepper as well that has a good bite to it, but very well balanced. The 8.2% ABV. I thought that this beer was extremely delicious and meets the high standards that I feel Southern Tier has for themselves. While there may not have been a great dynamic to the beer beyond the basic lemon and pepper flavors, the balance and taste was spot on. I enjoy their entire beer catalog (to this point), and this beer surely did not disappoint.

Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale

I ordered a pint of Souther Tier Old Man Winter Ale at Fathead's in Pittsburgh. The beer has an amber color with a lofty bubbly head. The aroma is slightly spicy and filled with orange hops. The taste is mostly hoppy at first with pine and orange hops. The taste then evolves to malty and caramel flavors with a solid base of raisin. The alcohol content is 7.2% ABV. I really enjoyed this beer, although I am not surprised as I am a big fan of Southern Tier beers. It is a solid winter warmer, and does not have an overpowering alcohol kick.

Southern Tier Choklat Imperial Stout

I grabbed a 22-ounce bottle of Southern Tier Choklat Imperial Stout in New Jersey on my last visit. The beer pours thick and is a dark black color with a bubbly tan head. The aroma is a rich sweet chocolate flavor. The taste is smooth and a dry bitter chocolate with light caramel on the back of the tongue on the finish. The alcohol content is 11.0% ABV. I thought that the Choklat was a thoroughly enjoyable beer and the chocolate dominates the beer flavor. I would say that this is a chocolate lovers must drink beer.

Southern Tier Oat

I hit up D's Six Pax and Dogz in Pittsburgh for lunch and they had Southern Tier Oat on tap, so I ordered a glass. The beer is a deep dark brown color with a thick tan head. It has an aroma consisting of chocolate and molasses. The taste is a little dry at first but full of sweetness with chocolate accents. The alcohol content is 9.6% ABV. Overall, I thought the beer had an excellent flavor and was very smooth drinking. The beer is very complex consisting of a chocolate base with a nice hop accent and sweet undertones.

Pittsburgh Brewfest 2009

I went to the Pittsburgh Brewfest to help support the Pittsburgh Rugby Club. It was hosted at the Steelhouse, Bar Room, and Saddle Ridge in Station Square. I thought the event was well organized and had good food for all to enjoy. Below you will find my tasting notes of the beers I had from the night.

Erie Brewing Company Ol' Red Cease & Desist- The beer is a red amber color with a malty aroma. The taste is sweet at first with a hop and spice bite on the finish. It has a slight dryness due to the alcohol content. The alcohol content is 10.1% ABV. I thought the taste was great for the high alcohol content, as it was not apparently that it was that high.

Erie Brewing Company Mad Anthony's APA- The beer is yellow in color and is cloudy and unfiltered. There is a slight yeast aroma. The taste is very light with mild hops. The alcohol content is 5.5% ABV. I thought this wasn't a bad pale ale, but it was light on the flavor. However, it makes it very easy to drink.

Erie Brewing Company Misery Bay IPA- The beer has a copper color with no head. The taste is dry and hoppy with a slight malt undertone. The alcohol content is 6.5% ABV. I drinks a little bit creamy and is very enjoyable.

Rivertowne White Lightning- The beer is a cloudy white with a sweet coriander aroma. I thought it had an excellent taste, consisting of coriander with grapefruit accents. The alcohol content is 6.3% ABV.

Bud Light Golden Wheat- Due to the fact that it was free, I decided to give the Golden Wheat a try. It has an unfiltered gold color with a minimal wheat aroma. The taste is lemony, but very light. There is no aftertaste. The alcohol content is 4.1% ABV. At first, I thought that it was not as bad as I expected it to be but it was not great. However, it did get worse the more I drank it and I would not recommend this beer.

Boulder Mojo IPA- The beer had a decent head and a gold color. The aroma consisted mostly of floral hops. The taste is smooth with lemon and pepper accents and it finishes with plenty of hops. The alcohol content is 6.8% ABV. I thought that the beer was pretty good, but it was a little too carbonated.

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter- The beer is amber in color with light head. The smell is sweet with a light vanilla hint. The taste consists of toasted malts with a sweet vanilla undertone, but the vanilla is faint. The alcohol content is 4.7% ABV. I found that as I let the beer warm up it got better, so if you try this beer drink it after it has warmed up.

Southern Tier Phin & Matt's- The beer has a pale gold color with a lemon aroma. The taste consists of lemon with a slight pepper accent. It finishes dry due to the hops. The alcohol content is 5.4% ABV.

Great Lakes Eliot Ness- The beer is dark amber in color with a lofty head. It has a light malt aroma. The taste is malty with hints of caramel and a dry hop finish. The alcohol content is 6.2% ABV. I really liked the flavor and the drinkability of the beer.

Penn Brewery Kaiser Pils- The beer has a golden color with no head or aroma. The beer has a light crisp taste. The alcohol content is 5.0% ABV. I thought that this was a decent pilsner. It is very light drinking, but still has enough flavor to make it enjoyable.

North Coast Brewing Company Old Rasputen Russian Imperial Stout- The beer has a black color with a tan head. The smell has hints of chocolate. The taste is hoppy with toasted malt and chocolate flavor. The alcohol content is 9.0% ABV. I really liked this beer and plan on having more in the future.

Three Rivers Underground Brewers Smoked Porter- The beer is dark brown in color with a light smoke aroma. The taste is malty and sweet with a light smoke finish. There are chocolate and toffee hints. I am not sure what the alcohol content is due to it being a home brew. This beer ended up being my second favorite beer of the night and it was full of flavor.

Three Rivers Underground Brewers British Ale- The beer is a dark brown color with a lofty creamy head. It smells very fresh and lightly hoppy. The taste is sweet and dry with a nice malt flavor. I am not sure what the alcohol content is due to it being a home brew.

Three Rivers Underground Brewers Slutty Red Head- The beer is a dark amber color with a frothy head. It has a light hop aroma. The taste is smooth and round and finishes slightly dry. It has a light cream taste. I am not sure what the alcohol content is due to it being a home brew.

Atwater Vanilla Java Porter- The beer is a dark brown color with a lofty tan head. It smells like coffee with cream. The taste is full of chocolate, java, and vanilla. The alcohol content is 6.0% ABV. I thought this was the best beer at the brewfest. The flavors were so dynamic and pleasing that I had to have several glasses of this beer. This is definitely a recommended beer.

Southern Tier Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale

I grew tired of waiting for McGrath's to add Southern Tier Pumking Imperial Pumpkin Ale to the draft list, so I picked up two 22-ounce bottles at Wegman's. The beer is orange in color with a ginger aroma. There is a sweet pumpkin flavor with heavy ginger accent. I think that it tastes just like pumpkin pie. The beer is a little dry on the finish with cinnamon and vanilla. The alcohol content is 9.0% ABV. This is by far one of my favorite pumpkin beers. The flavors in the beer are excellent, and none of them are overpowering. Each flavor accents the others nicely and provides a round flavor. If you only select one beer this fall, try this one. I am going to make a trip back to Wegman's just to get more bottles of the Pumking.

Southern Tier Crème Brulee Imperial Milk Stout

Furthering my love for McGrath's in downtown Harrisburg, they recently added Southern Tier Crème Brulee Imperial Milk Stout to their draft lineup. The beer is black in color and smells very sweet, mostly consisting of vanilla. The taste is very similar to the dessert (if you've had it, that's a good reference). The taste consists of vanilla and carmelized sugar with a light spice after taste. The finish is creamy and tasty. The alcohol content is 10.0% ABV. I was very impressed with the Crème Brulee Imperial Milk Stout. It is difficult to drink several of them, as the beer is very sweet, but this is the perfect dessert beer. I will order this again!

Southern Tier Jah*va

At a local bar McGrath's, they picked up Souther Tier Jah*va on draft. Having previously enjoyed the Mokah, I was excited to try the Jah*va. The beer is dark black in color, with a strong coffee aroma. It has a rich coffee taste with an undertone of coffee. There is a slight nutty after taste. The alcohol content is 12.0% ABV. I wouldn't say I like this beer better than the Mokah, but it is a great beer and it provides a great pick-me-up, so drink it early in the evening or it may keep you up.