Southern Tier Jah-va

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

Bottle. Pours black with a tan head. The aroma is of coffee, some dark and berry citrus, roasted malts, cocoa, and molasses. The initial flavour is of the molasses and some coffee notes and even more subtle citrus notes. Once the brew leaves the tongue, the roasty malts explode. Coffee notes strengthen a little as the citrus also becomes a little more prominent. Hops begin to show itself and create a light bitterness. The finish is just lightly dry, but smooth for the most part, a bit sticky, and quite sweet. This is enjoyable, but not enough coffee in my opinion.

Near black pour, cream colored head. Smells like a mocha latte. Roasted malt and coffee, accents of mocha. Very creamy mouthfeel. Some mocha, raisin as it warms. Alcohol nearly completely hidden. Nice espresso finish. Quite excellent. This and the Bell’s Java Stout are the best I have had, with this being a little bit better.

Bottle. Aroma of coffee, sweet alcohol, roasted malt covered up by sugar. Flavor kinda the same, sugar, milky, coffee is still there, but not in any wowing way. Needs more coffee for the name, and is otherwise pretty boring, especially for a 12% beer.

Bottle. Pours black with a thick tan head that lasts (it has a much thicker, longer-lasting head than most other imperial stouts which is quite surprising for a 12% beer). Flavor of sweet roasted malt, alcohol, stale wheat grains. Flavor is sweet, with sweet roasted malt and only a hint of alcohol. Slightly hoppy finish. I don’t really get coffee here though. Decent impy and not very overpowering for such a strong beer. A little lacking in the flavor department but still a smooth drink.

Pours with a black body topped by a thin, brown head with a good amount of lacing. IT’s sweet and malty with a note of vanilla and cream, some roasted coffee and some fruity alcohol esters. Full bodied, smooth yet warming.

22oz bottle courtesy of Swolf3, thanks Steven. Dark black pour, darkbown head. Nice aroma, coffee and chocolate. Very smooth, alcohol is not very prominent at all. Very drinkable and very dangerous.

Bottle on tour of New England. Pours jet black with a tan ring. Aroma is malted milk, roasted malt and chocolate. The flavour is where the coffee hits you. Adds a great bitterness but it balanced out by milky, sweet notes. Unbelievable about the 12 ABV because it only shows up after it warms a good deal.

Black with great sweet coffee nose and flavor, with a hint of malt and even dark fruit far in the background. A bit of sour and a bitter finish complete a very compelling beer.