Southern Tier Brewing Company is a craft brewing company in Lakewood, NY, in the southwestern section of NY state known as the Southern Tier. They produce and distribute several year-round brews as well as some seasonal releases including some “Specialty” beers and the Blackwater Series.
Beer Type: Imperial Ale
Serving Size: 12oz. bottle
ABV: 8.6%
Website: stcbeer.com
Truth be told, I’m really into big, boozy, stouts and double and triple IPAs (both west coast and New England style and the hazier the better). Tell me you barrel aged a stout in Pappy barrels or double-dry hopped an IPA with citra and simcoe and I’m like “yes, please!” I will readily admit that I’ve had a few outstanding sours, lagers, ales and porters. I just gravitate to the stouts and IPAs because those styles have given me some of the best craft beer experiences I’ve had.
On the other hand, I’m also a big fan of experimental flavors with various styles of beers. Not all styles are great candidates for flavorful explorations but I always have an eye out for the ones that are. So a few months ago when I saw Southern Tier announcing the release of French Toast Imperial Ale, I knew I had try it. Around the same time they also announced the release of a new addition to the Blackwater Series (which has some of my favorite beers ever), Peanut Butter Cup Imperial Stout.
I kept checking my Untappd app to see if they were available in my area but was regularly disappointed to learn that none of the usual places I buy beer were stocking it yet. I had all but given up until recently I visited the Wegman’s pharmacy to pick up a prescription which of course is also an excuse to peruse their beer selections. The first thing I noticed was that they had once again reorganized the shelves but honestly, what they’ve done now finally makes sense. They kept the “Virginia Beers” section but now have everything organized alphabetically according to brewery name.
I made a beeline for the “S” section. Nothing. No Southern Tier at all. My heart sank. As I turned around to depart the aisle and continue my quest I noticed on the opposite shelves an “S continued” section. There they were. French Toast and Peanut Butter Cup sitting side-by-side beckoning to me as if to say “we’ve been waiting for you friend. Where have you been?” Anyway – enough about the quest. Let’s get to the beer.
The ale is a rich, reddish amber hue, usually indicative of the malt used in the brewing process. It pours clean without too much head and fills the air with a wonderful maple syrup and cinnamon aroma. The flavor profile is dominated by initial waves of maple syrup that settles into notes of cinnamon, vanilla and a subtle hint of eggy bread. It finishes with that familiar malt taste letting you know that there is indeed a traditional ale forming the base of this palate pleaser. An easy drinker that isn’t overly sweet but packs a bit of a punch at 8.6% ABV. I will definitely purchase this ale again if they continue to produce it. I may even head back out soon and see if anymore is remaining on the shelves.
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