Southern Tier Gemini Blended Imperial Unfiltered Ale

Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Beautiful hazy deep gold. Head is creamy, rocky, laces the glass nicely—pretty!

AROMA: 3/4
Grapefruit, bubblegum, orange blossom. Nice and tropical, not as pronounced as Hoppe.

TASTE: 7.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Earthy, woody. Still very citrusy—interesting mix of grapefruit, citrus and a woody finish.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Bitter finish that sits on the tongue. Subtle tropical finish that moves to bitter, nicely balanced.
Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Big and boozy, full and creamy.

OVERALL: 2.25/3: Unearthly imparts a woodiness Hoppe just doesn't have. Not as bright as Hoppe, a bit darker, earthier, but very good.

TOTAL: 15.25/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: A neat variation on the hoppy style in Hoppe. Big and tasty, nicely bittered. Well done again, Southern Tier.
Ben: A very down-to-earth, classic, hoppy imperial Pale. Tropical and woody flavors blend nicely—all-around good beer.

Southern Tier Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale

Southern Tier Brewing Company
Lakewood, New York

APPEARANCE: 2.5/3
Orange hue, hazy. Fine, lacing head. Gold, pretty!

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sour citrus, orange peel, orange blossom, pineapple. Tropical, earthy.

TASTE: 7.75/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Lots of grapefruit, tropical, citrus up-front. Sour notes at middle, bitter finish. Well-balanced.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Noticeable alcohol. Nicely bittered, lasts. Body is appropriate, bitterness lingers.
Mouth-Feel: 2.25/3: Big and chewy, full mouth. Boozy, substantial.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Full, filling and hoppy. All-around, a pretty darned good beer.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: Not a session beer, a real treat! Something to keep in your fridge to mark special moments—a well done imperial.
Ben: It's big, it's hoppy, it's big and hoppy—I'd buy another.