Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier Cuvee #3 Hits Shelves

This is the 3rd release in the “Cuvee” series from Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY).   It is a blend of Cuvee #1 & #2.  Cuvee #3 is a strong ale, with a deep flavor complexity.

From the brewery:

Ale Impressions:
Dark Continue Reading →

Southern Tier Krampus Arrives

This is Southern Tier Brewing’s “festive” beer — Krampus.  I use the “quotes” because the label depicts a Christmas devil that beats naughty children with whips & chains.  I guess it’s too late to start being good.  Krampus is not Continue Reading →

SEASONAL RETURN: Southern Tier Choklot

Following Oat in Southern Tier Brewing’s famed imperial stouts is Choklot.  The name says it all.  Choklat is an understatement when it comes to the chocolate aspects of this beer.  If you have had Mocha, the chocolate you smell is Continue Reading →

COMING SOON: Southern Tier Krampus

Southern Tier Brewing’s seasonals do exceptionally well.  Just look at Creme Brulee, Pumking, and Oat.  The bombers fly off the shelves.  Headed to Georgia (and everywhere else ST is sold)  is Tier’s “festive” beer – Krampus.  I use the “quotes” Continue Reading →

Southern Tier’s Old Man Winter

My only wish is that the temperatures would meet me half way here.  I want to drink fall & winter beers. In the cold where they belong.  Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY)  just brought “Old Man Winter” to join “Oat” Continue Reading →

Posted in Seasonal Return, Southern Tier Brewing

SEASONAL RETURN: Southern Tier’s “Gemini”

Southern Tier Brewing (Lakefront, NY) releases 2 beers in January – Backburner Barleywine, and Gemini.  Gemini is a bold imperial IPA that is actually a blend of 2 other hoppy offerings by the brewery – Hoppe & Unearthly.  The offspring is a beer worth a trip to the store.

Commercial Description:
High in the winter sky, two parallel stick figures are visible & known as “the twins,” or the constellation Gemini. The astronauts of the 1960s flew as teams of two in a program named after the celestial pairing. At Southern Tier, we have our own fraternal twins, Hoppe & Unearthly. Blended together & placed in this vessel, the mission of our Gemini is to travel high & take passengers on a journey far into the heavens.

Style: Imperial IPA (blended)
Hops: (Kettle) Columbus, Chinook, Cascade. (Aroma) Amarillo. (Hop Back) Styrian Golding.  (Dry Hops) Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Columbus.
Malts: 2 Row Pale, Malted White Wheat, Cara-pils Malt, Red Wheat

Taste Expectations: The wheat really softens the mouthfeel of this beer.  Hoppy for sure, with grapefruit, citrus & pine shining through. Creamy & smooth. Drink fresh!

Availability: 22oz bombers. Draft.  Late January seasonal.

10.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier Cuvee #3 Hits Shelves

This is the 3rd release in the “Cuvee” series from Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY).   It is a blend of Cuvee #1 & #2.  Cuvee #3 is a strong ale, with a deep flavor complexity.

From the brewery:

Ale Impressions:
Dark amber color, rich caramel malt flavor with noticeable bitterness.  Slightly sweet and roasty finish, with a mild hop aroma.

Oak Impressions:
Flavors of French and American oak imparting unique qualities present in series one and two.  Impressions of vanilla, toasted coconut and almond.

Style: American Strong Ale (oak aged)

Availability: 22oz bombers.  Boxed.  Retail $11 a bottle.

11% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier Cuvee #3 Arrives Tomorrow

Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY) is prolific for sure.  Some of the more rare releases from ST are the beers from the Cuvee series.  There are 3 in the lineup, this edition – #3 has been brewed just once before.   It hit Atlanta warehouses this week.  More info on this release at launch.

Style: American Strong Ale (Oak Aged)

Availability: 22oz bombers

Arrival: Thursday/Friday.   12/15-12/16

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier Krampus Arrives

This is Southern Tier Brewing’s “festive” beer — Krampus.  I use the “quotes” because the label depicts a Christmas devil that beats naughty children with whips & chains.  I guess it’s too late to start being good.  Krampus is not a winter warmer.  This devil is an bold imperial pilsner.  Hide your kids.

Commercial Description:
St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, is a magical figure, the bringer of gifts and an icon of holiday spirit. Forgotten by most is his evil side kick and enforcer of ‘the list’. European tradition says while St. Nick is busy delivering presents to good little boys and girls, Krampus hands out punishments to the bad. A fanged, goat-horned bully, the Christmas Devil uses sticks and chains to beat the naughty children. Dark malts and aromatic hops create the diabolical spirit of this brew. It is finished with lager yeast and aged cold for no less than 30 days. This Imperial Helles Lager will warm even the darkest hearts. This season, replace the cookies with a bottle of Krampus. If he happens to pay a visit, toast to him with this devilish brew. Merry Kramp-mas to all, and to all a good pint!

Style: Imperial Pilsner
Hops: Chinook (Kettle), Willamette (Dry Hop)
Malts: 2 Row Pale, De Bittered Black Malt, Munich Malt, Caramel Malt

Taste Expectations: Pine Hops!  Spicy as it warms. Caramel malt.  Liquid Christmas.

9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Southern Tier Brewing

SEASONAL RETURN: Southern Tier Choklot

Following Oat in Southern Tier Brewing’s famed imperial stouts is Choklot.  The name says it all.  Choklat is an understatement when it comes to the chocolate aspects of this beer.  If you have had Mocha, the chocolate you smell is HALF of what is in the brew.

Commercial Description:
The Popol Vuh, the sacred book of the Maya, unfolds a complex web of mystery around a beverage known as xocoatl (ch-co-atle). At Southern Tier, we’re not surprised that hieroglyphs of the ancient Maya depict chocolate being poured for rulers and gods. Even through the many voyages of Columbus, the mystical bean remained nothing more than a strange currency of the native peoples.

Moving through centuries, the circular journey of cacao has been realized in our brewing house, encompassing the complexity of the darkest, bitter-sweet candy together with the original frothy cold beverage of the ancient Maya to bring to you our Blackwater Series Choklat Stout. We have combined the finest ingredients to tempt your senses & renew the power & interrelation of history in every bottle.

Beer Rundown:
Style: Imperial Stout
Hops: Chinook, Willamette
Malts: Caramel Malt 60, 2-Row Barley, Barley Flakes
Extras: Bittersweet Belgian Chocolate

Taste Expectations: Beautiful sweet chocolate nose, reminiscent of hot chocolate. Chocolate is cocoa, cocoa powder, milk/sweet chocolate.  Vanilla also, nice malt balance.  Booze.

Availability: 22oz Bombers. Draft.  Winter Seasonal.

11% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Southern Tier Brewing

COMING SOON: Southern Tier Krampus

Southern Tier Brewing’s seasonals do exceptionally well.  Just look at Creme Brulee, Pumking, and Oat.  The bombers fly off the shelves.  Headed to Georgia (and everywhere else ST is sold)  is Tier’s “festive” beer – Krampus.  I use the “quotes” because the label depicts a Christmas devil that beats naughty children with whips & chains.  I guess it’s too late to start being good.  Krampus is not a winter warmer.  This devil is an bold imperial pilsner.  Hide your kids.

Commercial Description:
St. Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, is a magical figure, the bringer of gifts and an icon of holiday spirit. Forgotten by most is his evil side kick and enforcer of ‘the list’. European tradition says while St. Nick is busy delivering presents to good little boys and girls, Krampus hands out punishments to the bad. A fanged, goat-horned bully, the Christmas Devil uses sticks and chains to beat the naughty children. Dark malts and aromatic hops create the diabolical spirit of this brew. It is finished with lager yeast and aged cold for no less than 30 days. This Imperial Helles Lager will warm even the darkest hearts. This season, replace the cookies with a bottle of Krampus. If he happens to pay a visit, toast to him with this devilish brew. Merry Kramp-mas to all, and to all a good pint!

Style: Imperial Pilsner
Hops: Chinook (Kettle), Willamette (Dry Hop)
Malts: 2 Row Pale, De Bittered Black Malt, Munich Malt, Caramel Malt

Arrival: Late November 2010

9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier’s Old Man Winter

My only wish is that the temperatures would meet me half way here.  I want to drink fall & winter beers. In the cold where they belong.  Southern Tier Brewing (Lakewood, NY)  just brought “Old Man Winter” to join “Oat” in their seasonally lineup to help bring in the coming winter.  This strong ale will warm you up! Well, when you need to be warmed up.  Eventually.

Commercial Description:
With the onset of winter, the brewer’s mind turns to providing warmth. For our winter seasonal, we offer a rich and complex amalgam of hops and barley that will put the feeling back in your toes and lift your spirits above the snow. OMW throws a deep and inviting hue with a thickness that clings to the glass and the warmth of an open flame. Because of its high alcohol content, Old Man is a heady brew that encourages sipping and pondering its essential richness. Drink it fresh now, or cellar a few bottles to see how this old man becomes wiser with age.

Beer Rundown:
Style: Old Ale
Ingredients: Unpublished – 3 different hops, 2 malts

Taste Expectations: Caramel, toffee, molasses.  Hops are floral, with some citrus.  Herbal.

Availability: 12oz/6pks.  Draft.  Fall/Winter seasonal.

Cellar: Yes.  Old ales are by nature “old” and cellared already. Under the right conditions this beer will mature well.

7.2% ABV


by Reid Ramsay