Southern Tier Phin & Matts Extraordinary Ale

This is a great session beer, maybe better if the abv was slightly lower... You get a hit of citrusy hops on the front end balanced out nicely with a slighly sweet malty finish... Not much to speak of on the finish in terms of a lingering hop presence, which i think makes this an excellent session beer... Why oh why did you put a raspberry wheat ale in your variety pack southern tier, why??

Pours a slightly golden color with a small white head. Aroma is of hops, slight matl, bubble gum, corn, and citrus. There was more in the aroma than in the taste. Body is overly watery, but a lot of flavor still comes through. Taste is a nice hop bite, followed by some malt to balance it out. Not overly amazing, but it is refreshing and easy to drink.

Excellent hop aromas. Easy drinking brew that it thirst quenching with a low ABV so that having another doesn’t put you on the floor.

Bottled, Clear golden beer that is light on the palate. A bit thin for my taste but it was good. Had a mild bitter finish.

Bottle from Bierkraft in Brooklyn. Hazy golden pour; grain and some corn on the nose with floral hop notes. Bitter and hoppy on the palate, with some bitter orange peel notes. Some malt present. Solid.

The body is mostly clear, with a fine effervescence and and golden-amber hue. A foamy, beige colored head is small but well retained, and thick, patchy rings of lacing circle the glass. Aromas include very light toffee and caramel malts, some crisp cereal grains, and balancing notes of citrus and grassy hops. Flavors show the same elements in perfectly balanced proportions. Lemongrass hops and grapefruit rind are quite zippy, but the light toffee is there to soften the blow. Medium bodied with balanced carbonation, it drinks quite easy for a nearly 6% brew. Freshness is the key here. Nice, easy going brew with some character.

Terrible. Too thin and boring. Should be called Bert and Ernie’s instead. This beer is way to thin and dry. No flavor. I got a corn bomb from this one. Stay away.

Date: 08/24/08, 12 oz. bottle

Aroma - Toffee, light grain, hints of spice and earth,

Appearance - Clear gold, full white head settling slowly to a persistent thin layer in a few minutes, sliding rings of lace.

Flavor - Solid, softly sweet light malt backbone, gentle bitterness enters slowly, but leaves it’s mark in a pleasing dry finish that rounds off the malt well.

Palate - Medium body and carbonation, very smooth, sliding down easily and leaving a clean palate

Overall - Under appreciated, as is the case with many of Southern Tier’s offerings. Very smooth, drinkable, and with an attractive subtlety, this is a fine session beer.