Southern Tier Choklat

Brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Lakewood, New York USA

Mild gusher. Near black body with a moderate, lasting tan head. A few spot of lace. Pure crème de cacao aromas, yes, that it, that’s the list for this one. A nice aroma, but more a liqueur scent than a brew. I like it for what it is, but in a way wish there was some malt depth caught in the nose. This glides effortlessly across the palate. Some thickness, but enough light effervescence to help it lilt across the tongue. Dark cocoa and again I am reminded of crème de cacao. There is a little heat in the finish and linger to remind you that this does have some zip to it. Chocolate extract flavors seem to hit full stride in the middle and finish. LInger has some chocolate malt and cocoa. I really think this would be great over ice cream, or even blended with whipped cream or ice cream. Interesting and enjoyable. I think it may be a struggle to finish the rest of this bomber, both from the strength of the brew and the flavors. This is a real dessert brew. This would also be great served in chocolate cups or with a raspberry tart, I am seriously thinking this should be mixed with NG raspberry tart. I’m thinking my next party will have this one highlighted in that manner. Yes, very nice mixed with Raspberry Tart and Belgian Red. A dessert brew.

Thanks to whomever shared this at the 3rd Woodshop tasting. An IS for the chocolate fan, count me in. This one does it right, balance is right on, a real dessert delight.

Holy Chocolate Batman! Deep brown color with a dood size brown head, minimal carbonation. Aroma is dominated by sweet chocolate. Flavor is initially chocolate and then some vanilla and earthy notes. Surprising not as sweet as you would think with as much of a chocolate dominated flavor as this one has. Medium bodied. Very nice IS!

Black in colour with a rich tan coloured head, good retention and lacing. The aroma has lots of sweet Galaxy chocolate, malty, creamy with some white sugar. The flavour again has chocolate as the main focus but more dark chocolate this time, quite sweet, lots of roasted and burnt malts, moderately bitter. Sweet mouthfeel, medium body, medium carbonation. Finishes long with a chocolate sweetness.

Sometimes chocolate focused beers can be too sweet but this manages to balance some bitterness as well. Quite enjoyable.

650ml bottle from IPFreely, thanks Tim.
Opened on February 10, 2008.
No date.

Bottle. Been holding on to this one, but now that I see ST has made it to the Twin Cities, I need hold on to it no more. Literally smells like chocolate milk. Don’t smell the alcohol. Black body, Tan head, thin, large bubble. Very chocolaty. Tastes like it smells, but this time you can detect the alcohol. You should at 11%, but it doesn’t taste that strong. I’m hoping this brew’s not going to keep me up all night. Probably not the best beer to pair with a steak. This brew is definitely a specialty beer for a special occasion. Could work as a dessert beer, perhaps as the dessert itself. Would also be great for a true chocolate lover. Very good. Who thought alcoholic chocolate milk could be so good. I bet my kids would love this! A bomber is a lot of beer to drink with a chocolate monster like this! You could probably top this with whipped cream and call it dessert.

My Bottom Line:
Pure dessert, this Imperial stout is. Amazingly generous chocolate aromas and flavors seduce all the way to a roasty bitterness in a relaxed and huggable mouthfeel. Wow.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam protects the brown-sleeved black.
-This is exactly as advertised: chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. I have to say I’ve never had such a chocolatey beer, yet I cannot say it is overdone.
-This chocolate is reminiscent of 65% cocoa or so. They must have TONS of it. Somehow, it is very palatable, even at 11%.
-Alcohol is very well hidden.
-Carbonation is rather low, which leaves the tastebuds ample room to explore the chocolatey depths.

Bottle.

Big bottle. Thick light brown head on black. Huge intoxicating dry chocolate cake liquor aroma. Each sip is an expensive dry 75%-90% unsweetened chocolate piece. An amazing beer but not one that you would drink on a daily basis or even pint afte pint on one night.

On tap at the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson ($5 for 20oz). Black appearance, nice head. Very nice malty flavor, sweetness of the chocolate comes through in the aftertaste. Very good.