Southern Tier Big Red

Brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Lakewood, New York USA

22 oz bottle

After this sat in the fridge for a few weeks I decided it was time to crack it open. I was hoping for something enjoyable and solid without high expectations. This almost reached that bar. I would descirbe this as a thoroughly average release - there are few glaring flaws but no amazing experiences either.

Aroma / Appearance - The calm pour resulted in a carbonated amber body with an off white bubbly head. Orange peels, white bread and a trace of hops form a headspace which is predictable but safe.

Flavor / Palate - Caramel, honey and mothballs tickle the tongue before a cream dry finish. In between the taste of a chilly reuben unfolds. This was very mellow and easy to drink in a tame way. I probably won’t pick it up again but it was not a total waste of time.

This should be getting way, way more love here. I think we are so used to piney, citric hop flavors in a big beer that when something else comes along, we don’t know quite how to react. Pours a clear medium copper with a lasting white head that leaves a thick lace on the glass, quite attractive. Aroma is perfumey, floral, and a bit spicy, very unusual for most American brews. Initial biscuit oriented malt flavors give way to a spicy floral hop finish with a very long lingering bitterness. Malts and hops match perfectly here. When I read that this was a Hallertau based brew, the reason for the unique hop profile became clear. American brewers really should pay a bit more attention to some of the more traditional German varieties as a way of creating a more unique flavor profile, which is what Southern Tier has done here. The closest thing I can compare this to is the Sam Adams Imperial Pils, but this is clearly an ale. Outstanding stuff.

Copper color with a thin head. Nutty and hoppy aroma. Very dry malt taste, lots of nuttiness. Big pine hop smack throughout. Pretty simple and straightforward, but that doesn’t stop it from being delicious.

22oz bottle: Another great beer from Southern Tier. Pours a reddish amber with a thick, whipped head that laces all the way down. The nose is both spicy with hops and earthy with malt. A nice combo that induces visions of perfumey rose petals, cracked white pepper, caramalized brown sugar and spring soil. Very solid and defines the ASA classification. Big and creamy mouthfeel. The body builds on the complex nose, lending additional notes of toffee, rindy orange, soft perfume. Drinks great considering the ABV. Solid, solid brewery.

Bottle from Wooden Keg. A good american strong ale, however there are many others that will make this one hard to rate highly. Pours dark red almost brown, light-thin head, smells are metallic, bitterness and sweets. tastes crisp and clean with nice follow through.

HIGH CARBONATION AND A NICE AMBER COLOR. A LITTLE BIT OF AN AFTER TASTE WITH A HIGH ALCOHOL CONTENT. NOT AS GOOD AS THERE JAVA AND CHOCOLATE BEERS.

Clear orange-red pour with a thin white head. Citrusy hops aroma. Lots of bitter hops on the flavor with some roast and lots of fruit. Pretty good.

Pours a coppery orange. Aroma of spicy hops and sweet malt. Flavor is bitter hops, caramel sweetness, and a little wet grain.