Beer Review: Southern Tier Live

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 5.5 percent

Appearance: This brew boasted a vivid golden color once I poured it. A thin layer of fluffy head appeared almost immediately. It was white and I noticed some hay-colored hues as well. I also picked out some beady trails of carbonation bubbles that look like a small school of fish as well as a hazy body. Both say that there is a hefty amount of yeast and sediment present in the beer. Not really a shocker as it says "bottle conditioned ale" right on the label.

Smell: This was quite fruity and estery. Credit should have gone to the yeast for that. There was also a mild floral hop nose.

Taste: The yeast once again came to the forefront. The fruity and estery profile hit me not long after that. The fruity flavor seemed to resemble some lemon that tasted moreso sweet than sour. Definitely a plus. It transitioned to a malty and peppery flavor towards the back of my tongue. I seemed to gather that the peppery flavors were both coriander and allspice.  The finish was light, brisk with a minimal hop bite.

Overall Rating: 

I had a beer quite similar to this in Indigo Imp Blonde Bombshell a good while ago that was also a bottle conditioned brew. Similar colors and fruity and estery profiles. This one had a few more layers of taste in the flavor department, though. The fruit and spices were clearly differentiated and everything seemed to play off of each other amazingly.

Beer Review: Southern Tier Krampus

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: Nine percent

Appearance: This poured a deep copper color. After reading "Helles Lager" on the front of the label I was shocked to see something in the amber range pour out of this bottle. Fooled by that imperial word once again. The head had a thick and creamy appearance. It came off as very fluffy. Almost like clouds or a pillow. This, in turn, ended up leaving some thick and web-like lacing. It was tough to notice the carbonation bustling around, but a closer look unveiled it.

Smell: This was intensely sweet and spicy. It almost had a wintery smell to it. Quite reminiscent of a winter warmer. There was also a layer of intense malt character. This was probably responsible for some of the sweetness. It was almost like sweet candy.

Taste: This mainly had a dark and roasty profile to it. Kind of like overdone toast. It was also kind of tangy. There was a vigorous showing of hops towards the back that was mid-way to the rest of the way back. This tasted very out of place in the brew. My mouth was partially saturated by that hop flavor for the rest of the drink. Nothing really mixed well in this. Most flavors seemed out of place.

Overall Rating: 

When I think Helles Lager I think clear, gold and crisp. Maybe some cracker and malt tastes. Not dark, roasty and hops. Good lord. The beer has a lovely color and looks great, but I can't remember any drink in my life where I was as confused as when I had this. Nothing worked well together. It was almost as if each component of the taste  didn't belong there.

Punkin Crisis?

As we continue to make our way out of the blistering heat of summer and inch into fall, those of us that love pumpkin beer around the time that it's actually meant to be consumed have pretty much stocked up on what we needed to get us to this point.

With that said, most of us also know that once Southern Tier's Pumking and Dogfish Head's Punkin Ale hit the market, it means that it's pretty much a wrap on the pumpkin beer releases. At least here in the Pittsburgh area the only one I don't know of on the shelves yet is Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale. I've never had a problem getting either in the past. Some odd news might imply that I might not get much of one of these beers this year.

I recall cases of Pumking last year being at the same limit of two cases per-customer, but it is in the neighborhood of $8-$10 cheaper than it was. As for Punkin, I've seen a two case limit at the very worst. I'm not entirely sure if this store on Browns Hill Road is the only one that got 10 percent of what it ordered, but it usually has one of the largest beer inventories that I know of around me.

If the batch of Punkin is small this year it might be a lot tougher to find some. I planned on getting my case this weekend. Now, I'm not totally sure it will last until then. We'll see how it goes. My worst case scenario is that I end up forced dipping into the six or so bottles I still have from last year's case. Not that bad of a fallback.

Beer Review: Southern Tier 2X Steam

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: Eight percent

Appearance: This beer has an amber color, but it's light in color. It featured plenty of pretty gold hues as well. There was a thin, but bright white head. The body is foggy, but only slightly so. It has both an appearance of heaviness as well as lightness. Somewhere perfectly in between. The lacing of this brew sort of sticks to the glass, but is weak enough that it just falls back into the beer when I set the glass down after each sip.

Smell: Initially, the aroma of this was both very herbal and floral. It was also slightly hoppy on the nose. Maybe a little more than someone like me would like. There was even a little malt presence as well. Some caramel peeks through as the beer warms up a tad.

Taste: Given the lack of malt in the smell, I was smacked in the mouth with loads of malt once I started to actually drink this beer. I also noticed a great bit of tasty and sweet caramel as it drifted farther towards the back. A slightly roasted profile also acts very complimentary to the sweet caramel. The finish was very floral and crisp. The hops didn't come off as harsh as I originally predicted. This was very balanced.

Overall Rating: 

This was a great find in one of my local six pack shops. I really love to try steam beer any which way I can find it. Anchor Steam is one of the measuring sticks of the style. It's a bit more herbal and bitter. This one by Southern Tier was a little sweeter on the tongue. It was such an interesting contrast one I compared these two.

Beer Review: Southern Tier Hop Sun

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 5.1 percent

Appearance: Hop Sun has the gold and shiny appearance of a regular American lager, but with a slight haze towards the upper portions of the beer. There was a huge rush of carbonation bubbles flowing upwards. The head was a thin layer of white. I guess that it would wander off after a bit and not leave much lacing. I got quite the opposite. The head actually lingered atop the body for the majority of the drink. Overall, this has a nice summery, crisp look to it.

Smell: This emanated a lot of citrus from the hop content. It was closer to a grapefruit scent on the citrus spectrum, if there is such a thing. I guess I just invented it. The label says "one type of hop and three malts." I was surprised to have the scent dominated by hop notes and not having much malt noticeable.

Taste: I spoke too soon. I was smacked in the face with a lot of sweet malt as soon as I took my first sip. The sweetness dominated up front. As the beer glided toward the back, it translated into a bitter, yet sharp finish. The hops don't interfere with much in the taste. The rush of carbonation bubbles made for a flourish of cool textures in the mouth.

Overall Rating:

The smell of this brew confused me for a bit, but I can definitely let that slide. I don't get to bring up the textures of beer much on this blog, but this is among the best in terms of texture, bubbles etc. that I've had during my stint of writing this blog. The citrus doesn't come from lemon or orange, but from the hops. It wasn't overly dominating, but complimented the rest of the beer the way I like it.

Beer Review: Southern Tier Eurotrash Pilz

Serving Type: Bottle

ABV: 5.2 percent

Appearance: This beer poured a very, very light shade of yellow/gold. It is also easily seen through. If you put this up aside something like a Miller Lite, the only things that would distinguish this one would be the following two characteristics that I noticed. The head was a little thick initially, but settled in as a thin creamy layer that resonated for pretty much the rest of the drink. The carbonation rushed very fast towards the top. If you enlarge the photograph you'll notice that they're actually kind of blurred. They also formed their own twisting and bending column inside the brew. This resembled something like a waterspout.

Smell: This beer had an effervescent aroma of sweet maltiness. There actually was a ton of it. This was slightly unexpected. There was also a tad of floral notes that were able to poke through.

Taste: The label of the beer stated that this was brewed with two types hops as well as two malts. That really wasn't noticeable on my tongue. This beer was really sweet to the taste. Like a lot. Especially up front. This is a pilsner after all. So, I was looking forward to a little biscuit bit on the back, but I didn't get much. Everything seemed off-kilter in the balance department. Not much hop bite was present either.

Overall Rating: 

I like a good pilsner with a bit of bite in addition to its maltiness. I've always said that a balanced beer is a good beer. I like the sweetness of this, I just felt like the finish of this beer was kind of like when you have to leave a good movie early and miss the ending. I kept waiting for that bite, but it wasn't there.

Beer Review: Southern Tier Creme Brulee

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 9.6 percent

Appearance: Southern Tier Creme Brulee pours a thick black. Just straight black. I couldn't pick up any other highlights such as a brown or red within the body. It looks like something you can chew. It's head provides an inch thickness, is more fizzy than thick and is an attractive shade of beige.

Smell: This beer smelled like some sort of an epic dessert. Good thing I had it after my meal. Vanilla is the most dominant aroma. Caramel and chocolate hints followed that up. Overall, the three aromas are extremely sweet.

Taste: Amazingly sweet. I can do sweet, but not too much of it. This has a ton. As it warms, it just becomes too much for me. That doesn't mean it's the beer. I'm like that with anything. Otherwise, the vanilla and chocolate are prominent on the front. There's also something roasty about this brew's flavor. I'm not entirely sure if it was a dark chocolate or coffee taste that was hidden somewhere in there. The darkness in flavor is almost a welcoming feeling. You're not completely consumed in sugary sweetness.

Overall Rating: 

This is a really complex beer. If you can handle the sweetness, I suggest you try it. If you've got a sweet tooth this could be right up your alley. Milk Stouts are definitely something I'm looking into exploring a bit more.

Monday Rant: Fall Seasonal Beer - Not Too Shabby

A billowing, yet refreshing glass of Southern Tier Pumking.

Everyone knows about my expressed anger about the early release of pumpkin ales in the last few weeks of August. I'm long over that and have stocked up accordingly. I've also let it be known that the summer season is most likely my favorite due to the numerous types of brews that are released during the spring and summer months.

Now, if I didn't have summer to select from in this process I'd definitely be happy settling with the fall seasonal brews. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't be settling at all. I'd take it in a heartbeat if I was forced to. The changing  leaves and nippy Pittsburgh air this past weekend (along with a gorgeous photograph of a Pumking draft I snapped) have led me to believe that fall is pretty much here. There won't be many hot days from here on out.

Fall is one of the most festive times of the year. All of the kids in our local neighborhoods are gearing up for Halloween in just over a month. Thanksgiving is right around the corner as well.

Being festive also includes some awesome beer, which there is a plethora of. The two main ones are pumpkin ales and Oktoberfests as everyone knows. They both signify some of the things we love to do during this time of the year, mainly congregating and consuming brews. Don't worry, I do realize thatOktoberfest originated in the Bavarian part of Germany. We just continue much of that historic tradition over here in America.

These beers are historic in value as well. I've mentioned the Oktoberfest factor already. The pumpkin ales, from what I can find, are kind of like a reincarnate of beers that some of the first settlers in the New England area made. It's still somewhat debated as to how the pumpkin was actually used/substituted, though.

Some of the flavors of these brews reflect the season perfectly. The spices such as vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg used in pumpkin ales are consistently used in certain holiday dishes of the season. The actual pumpkin needs no explanation as many will be carved and set on your porches.

I was down at the beginning of the fall beer season, but I knew it wouldn't last. it's time to enjoy these fabulous concoctions.

Monday Rant: Pumpkin Ales and Oktoberfests - Stock Up

I've already sounded off about the earliness of the fall seasonal beers being on the shelves at this point in the summer. It's pretty much a broken system. Brewers are making the product and distributors can't afford to sit on the supply or simply don't have the space in storage. I get it. I'm over it.

I still love my pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers. So, as I took a stroll through a local distributor towards the end of last week I came across the establishment's entire wall of seasonal brews.

There were plenty of pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers. Enough to last a lifetime. It was at this moment that I decided to make my first purchases of the fall season. After all, it'll most likely all be gone within the next month or so.

I picked up a case of each Saranac's Pumpkin Ale and Great Lakes' Oktoberfest. I really wanted to try the Saranac last fall, but couldn't find any. I've always heard good things about Great Lakes' Oktoberfest. It came down to that and Penn Brewery's Oktoberfest. I figured I'd be having plenty when I'm actually at Penn's Oktoberfest celebration in September.

My dad also pitched in and acquired a case of Yuengling's Oktoberfest (yet another I couldn't find last year) and decided to invest $90 in a case of the infamous Southern Tier Pumking. We've already indulged in the almighty Puca and tucked away the rest of the bottles until it gets a little closer to October.

Since pay day is this week, I'm planning on purchasing yet another case of pumpkin ale before everyone else buys it all up. Maybe some Shipyard Pumpkinhead or Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale? Have to stock up now!

Seasonal Look-Ahead: Summer Beers

Perfect for after a long day at work.

Last week, the Pittsburgh area was one of the hottest regions east of the Mississippi Rover with temperatures hanging around the upper 70's and even reaching 80 degrees at certain points. Pittsburgh even set a record for the month of March, with 11-straight days of high temperatures over 70 degrees. Coinciding with that is the early release of some of the craft beer industry's summer seasonal brews.

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I definitely could have used a few of them towards the end of some of the hotter days.

Today I want to highlight some of the summer seasonal brews I've been looking forward to along with some of my all-time favorites to consume after a long and hot day.

• Bell's Oberon Ale (MI) 5.8 percent ABV: This American Pale Wheat is arguably the the most-demanded summer beer in this region among craft beer drinkers, in my opinion. It's very fruity, but some zest balances everything out. This beer should be easy to find this week as Bell's Brewery just released it on Monday.

• Troeg's Sunshine Pils (Pa.) 4.5 percent ABV: Not for the faint of heart. Although it's one of my favorite beers to have during the hotter months, it's strength seems to deter some beer drinkers. Sunshine Pils is strong, bitter on the finish and very hoppy. My personal favorite summer seasonal.

• Sierra Nevada Summerfest (CA) 5.0 percent ABV: Summerfest is a pilsner-style lager that is hoppier than your traditional pilsner. That biscuity taste I look for in pilsners is a lot livelier in this brew.

• Harpoon Summer Beer (MA) 5.0 percent ABV: Summer Beer is a Kolsch. It's sharp in taste and is extremely lively on the head. Very spicy and tastes like citrus. A perfect beer to have while sitting out back in your personal garden.

• Southern Tier Hop Sun (NY) 5.1 percent ABV: Another Pale Wheat Ale, but Hop Sun makes a name for itself by imploring sweeter undertones. Hop Sun also features the usual citrus and zest taste you'd expect.

• Great Lakes Holy Moses White Ale (Ohio) 5.4 percent ABV: Holy Moses is a very spicy Belgian White. It's brewed with coriander and orange peel. Those ingredients might sound familiar to fans of Blue Moon Belgian White except you don't need the fruit garnish to fully enjoy this beer.

Just a few I've been lucky enough to sample over the past few summers. I'm hoping to try each of them at some point this summer and be able to share some thoughts on each that are quite a bit more in-depth. As always, I'm open for suggestions on other beers to keep an eye out for.

Beer Review: Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale

It's now officially December which means most of us beer bloggers are sampling the winter fare in order to pass our thoughts along to our viewers. Thus far on this blog, the winter ales haven't netted many points according to my rating scale. That's why it's always a good option to try some more. Southern Tier Brewing Co. produces one of my favorite beers out there with it's Pumking concoction. Here's the first winter ale I've tried from this brewery.

Serving Type: Draft

ABV: 7.2 percent

Appearance: Just like any other winter warmer you come across, Old Man is a dark, nut brown. So far this season, the head on this beer was the thickest and had the most retention. I wouldn't exactly call it the thickest of all heads I've come across, though. Old man is also very well carbonated.

Smell: Very piney. It smells just like it was poured from the trunk of a pine tree. Slight hints of caramel hide behind the overwhelming pine scent. It made me want to put on a pair of long johns and get outside for some sledding.

Taste: Old Man tastes very hoppy and piney. There's as much pine taste as there is in the smell. This beer would taste much better if the caramel lingered behind in the taste as it did during the first waft.

Overall Rating:  

I'm starting to think that most winter session beers taste similar to each other. Of the three winter ales I've reviewed, one tasted similar to this one (Full Pint Festivus). The other was way off and not in a better way.

Pumpkin Ale Week Concludes: And Then There Were Two

The time has come. The time to crown the top two pumpkin ales that I've come across this year. I assure you that the last two beers in these rankings are nothing short of heavenly nectar. You won't be disappointed with either of these brews.

No. 2: Pumking by Southern Tier Brewing Company

If you're a fan of buttery Thanksgiving desserts than this is the beer for you.

Appearance: Of any pumpkin ale that I've had in my life, this is the brightest. No other form of orange has ever pierced my retinas like Pumking did. The head is somewhat thick. It's white as is every head on a pumpkin ale. It's not overly thick, nor is it not noticeable.

ABV: 8.6 percent

Smell: One word. Butter. This beer smells like a buttery dessert on Thanksgiving. Add that with the usual spices and some cinnamon and you want to pour this beer down your pants. I got goosebumps when I put this beer up to my nostrils.

Taste: Pumking tastes just like pumpkin pie, but with a buttery crust. The high ABV means that you have to fight off a bit of strong-tasting alcohol, but the butter taste does more than just make up for it.

Overall Rating:     

Champagne should be outlawed at weddings this time of year. This should be the drink of choice.

No. 1: Imperial Pumpkin Ale by Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

This beer is the pumpkin ale Mecca. Every seasonal beer drinker should have this before their days are done here on Earth.

Appearance: When the word "imperial" comes to mind, the first thing I think of is a type of porter or stout. Well the color of Imperial Pumpkin Ale lives up to it's name. It's as dark as a black chai cup of tea with no noticeable head at all. The carbonation makes up for it though.

ABV: 8.0 percent

Smell: This beer gives off the perfect scent of cinnamon, and other spices, such as nutmeg and cloves. It's sweet enough to invite you in for the taste of pumpkin.

Taste: When you take a drink, the spices combine perfectly with the pumpkin flavor. With this beer, you get something that isn't noticeable in any other beer I've mentioned this week: a hint of caramel. Caramel is exactly what this beer needed to balance out the potent spices.

Overall Rating:     

This was such a pleasant drink. So flavorful, yet so warm. When I die, I want a $73 case of this buried with me.