Southern Tier, round duex

So here are a few more from Souther Tier in Lakewood, New York.



iniquity, “the antithesis of unearthly”. An Imperial India black ale brewed year round and sits at almost 9% ABV. Don't be fooled by the color of this beer, just because it's black as night doesn't mean it's going to be anything like a stout. IBA's, and especially this one, have all the bold flavors you'd expect from a stout, but lacking in the same texture. Big and hoppy like an IPA should be, this brew is very impressively different from anything else I've ever had.

Another great black beer to try is the Brazilian made Xingu.



It some how holds a strangeness about it that can only be described as being half way between beer and South American, real cane sugar, Coca-Cola. It took about half a beer to decide if I liked it or not, to be honest, simply because I felt like my pallet was being accosted. How dare they confuse me.

Anyway, back to Southern Tier.



Pumking, "brewed with pagan spirit". Imperial Pumpkin Ale released in August and made for the fall. It's a strong boy at 8.8%. I feel like I can forgive this the sell out, pumpkin, stereotypical, fall brew...everyone makes a pumpkin ale for October...for sake of the Harvest ESB. On a different note this is one of the few pumpkin brews I've had that takes the whole of the Thanksgiving concept. Aside from the high gravity tang, each sip gives you a little brown sugar, a little graham cracker, and a pumpkin pie feeling without actually, physically tasting too much like a pie. It's worth trying, but I suggest finding a place with this beer on tap, otherwise it only comes in boomer 22 oz. bottles.



Creme Brulee, "a stout of great contention". An Imperial milk stout that rings in at almost 10% ABV and released only for the summer. One would think it'd do better in the fall and winter months because it is a stout at the end of the day, but the added milkiness of it makes it easy to drink in the heat. This easily a dessert beer, as silly as that may sound to some. It's sweetness over rides the hoppiness of this beer, and I can really only handle three ounces or so. It truly tastes like a fine French dessert, and if you're into beer that tastes like food, go for it.

I'm a firm believer that fruit and food flavors have no business in beer, but that's just a personal philosophy.

As for what's next? I'm excited to try:



Krampus, "are you naughty or nice?". Imperial Helles Lager that'll be available next month.