Unearthly (Imperial India Pale Ale) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From Notes: On tap at everybodys favorite Boston bar. This is a light orange/brown tinged liquid with a semi-fluffy white/off-whtie head of foam. The aromas are fresh floral hops, with some nice citrusy resins in the mix as well. Lots of pine, and citrus witha bready malt backbone as well. The taste is quite similar to the aroma. This is a big double IPA but it hides its strength well. The hops are abrasive and oily but the malt backbone is big enough to keep this one together. The mouthfeel is medium bodied>thick and the aftertaste of the hop resin oils lingers on the tongue. Very drinkable and quite nice. A solid 4 all the way around and definately one that I will drink again when back eastie.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2007 23:48:56 | More by francisweizen

pershan

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Frisco Grille in Columbia, MD.

A: Light amber color with thin white foam head.

S: I detected a slight hop and sweet malt aroma, but it was fairly subdued.

T: Wow! A big hop flavor (very noticable hop resins), without being too bitter, which was surprising in a beer with this much ABV.

M: Not too fizzy with a nice, hoppy after-taste and a noticable, but not over-the-top alcoholic warmness.

D: For the amount of alcohol in this beer, a surprising drinkable and very enjoyable ale. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2007 18:37:01 | More by pershan

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: orange-brown with a relatively thin head

S: bold pine hops that fade into a more delicate floral-citrus hop presentation

T: a little more citrusy than the aroma would lead... pine first and foremost... but a grapefruit-citrus-floral hop taste takes over halfway through ... some caramel-sweet malts pop up

M: nice and thick without being too mealy ..

O: enjoyable.. especially when you factor in the abv

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2007 01:57:58 | More by callmemickey

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at Vintage, this imperial pours a mostly translucent orange amber with a pearl white head and sparse rising carbonation. Very nice walls of lace are left on the glass.

Hoppy and distinct, but still relatively mild on the nose for an imperial. That is not to say that it doesn't rate well in the aroma department, it’s just a bit more subtle than expected. Not too boisterous. Fruity citrus and fresh smelling hops.

Malty, sweet, and nicely hopped. Mouthwatering bitterness. Fruity as well: citrus and pine, a bit of apple. Leafy and refreshing. Retains a nice balance despite a large dose of hops. Very flavorful throughout.

Fairly heavy and just a bit syrupy to the palate. Moderate carbonation and a clean bitterness lighten up the finish. Very clean. I still can't believe this is 11% abv. There is a bit of warmth, but any harsh booze character is totally hidden. Very well crafted. Exactly what I've come to expect from Southern Tier.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2007 17:59:56 | More by letsgopens

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Zeno’s in State College, PA
A: Hazy, vibrant, slightly ruddy amber with a small, off-white, foamy head that quickly diminishes to a lasting film. Good lacing.
S: VERY inviting hops aromas. Pine with orange and grapefruit. Very mild malt presence.
T: An initial quick zip of malty caramel sweetness, which is soon joined by the intense hops flavors of pine and citrus. They stay in excellent balance (especially for the style) until the hops flavors and bitterness take over on the finish. Some warming alcohol on the finish as well.
M: Full body, dry texture, moderate-low carbonation
D: This is a very good double IPA. A hop bomb of wonderful flavors but with an excellent balance, something that is too often way off with this style. I loved this beer and would definitely have it again. Worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2007 20:40:37 | More by ski271

jjayjaye

New York

4.7/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A growler serving minutes from the tap.

Pours clear, an interesting ruby orange color with a loose off white head that fades fairly quickly. Little observable effervescence. A good amount of lacing.

The smell is quite aggressive. A big sweet malty nose of orange pineapple citrus hops.

Full bodied, the mouth feel is primarily very sweet and creamy also. The hop texture is balanced and the carbonation complements the character.

The flavor is as sweet as the smell. A huge sweet malty experience with a unique and significant pine-orange citrus flavor. The entire thing lingers appropriately.

An 11%-Sleeper that i find very easy to drink. Find this and consume mass quantities!

Serving type: growler

07-03-2007 20:43:10 | More by jjayjaye

Rudgers73

New York

3.7/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served to me at a bar in a big crystal-looking chalice. Deep reddish-brown, thin whispy head, very little carbonation. The smell is very sweet and mellow. American hops fill your nose in the last few seconds of the smell. Starts out thick, chewy and sweet with a buttery undertone. The finish is crispy and dry from the pungent hops. Floral, but sweet hops. Very nice, but one was enough for the sake of making it home after dinner.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2007 23:31:44 | More by Rudgers73

Madmax99

New York

4.43/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am a huge fan of IPA's and when I was at the bar the other night I was in wonder of this beer, not because it was an IPA (I had no Idea at the time), but by the tap head. When I tasted the beer, it was mildly hoppy. I was expecting more bitterness. I thought this beer was exceptionaly smooth for a higher alcohol beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2007 20:17:39 | More by Madmax99

Truh

New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

It came from another planet with this one on 7/5/2006. 10.5 oz. goblet pour at Redones.

1/4-inch thick, level head dies to some light coating with a nice bead on it. Milky amber hue, maybe due to chill, verging on rose; can see some nice action going on. Fruity melon on the nose, honeydew, with a little hop astringency and just a touch of cliantro and white pepper. On the mouth, quick hop bite is washed away by a well balanced hop to malt bill, still heavier in the hop column, but welcomely balanced nonehteless. Fantasically drinkable with a not-too-heavy body.

Haven't had many Southern Tier offeings; will need to try more.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2007 17:16:11 | More by Truh

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.72/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A great Imperial IPA, I started to realize that alot of brewerys are going for the high octane IPA, but the Unearthly is balanced and would never guess that it is 11.7%. A great beer for the hop lover (153 IBU's). It does get a bit pricey for a pint, but having more than one of these might be a bad idea. Although, it is that good where 2 or three would be tasty, just a bad idea though.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2007 21:39:01 | More by OWSLEY069

jcdiflorio

West Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a flaried tulip glass from a sixtel from my draft system,tapped 3 days ago. Decided to review this one for my disciple status a great beer to get some beer in the mug with.

A hazy glowing reddish/orange color with a tall dense,creamy head with execellent retention leaving cottage cheese like chunks. Rings of sticky lace going down the glass with constiant streams of tiny bubbles tightly knitted together streaming from the center of the glass

A great strong hop aroma very citrusy,lots of grapefruit,pine,minty,perfumy,resiny. Clean,complex and very enticing makes you savor for a taste.

Lots of good grapefruity taste,piney the hop rush is followed by a calm clean feeling followed by a burnt toffee/carmell taste.Some juicy bozziness just enough to make you respect the 11%. Amazing balance finishes with a clean grapefruity/citrus rind bite and some sugary syrupyness.

Smooth and creamy mouthfeel, sticky,resinious, puckering to say the least.
The drinkability is amazing,hard to belive a beer this strong could go down this easy. This is a must try double or imperial IPA what every you want to call it this beer is the shit! Drink with caution.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2007 00:26:30 | More by jcdiflorio

ggaughan

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled at the Drafting Room Best of 2006 night. Beer poured a red, amber color with a fairly thick white head. The aroma provides a good piney and citrus fragrence that is pleasing to the nose. The taste is similar with a nice big hop explosion on your taste buds, citrus and pine. There is a touch of malt on the backend and some real notes of the high abv. Medium body and a nice mouthfeel round out this beer so well.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2007 01:31:42 | More by ggaughan

LarryV

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Redbone's in Somerville MA. Lovely deep amber color with a 1/2 inch fine textured head. Incredibly fragrant, the hops just jump out at you. Taste is big citrusy hops with a slightly sweet malt backbone that never becomes cloying, Really a nicely balanced beer. The alcohol manages to hide pretty well behind the hoppy facade. I think my friend summed it up when he ordered one and took his first taste - wow!!

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2006 18:11:04 | More by LarryV

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.97/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On-tap at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: It has a very intense hops & citrus aroma. There’s really much else to say about the smell except that it was excellent.

T: Very well-balanced blend of hops, citrus and caramelized malt. The hops flavor is certainly the most prevalent as you would expect, but it allows the fruit and malt in as a compliment rather than competing for dominance. The hops remain in a pleasant after-taste.

M: Very crisp, very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, excellent finish.

D: This one is very tasty and light for a 2IPA. This is now one of my favorites. Once you start drinking it, you’ll find it hard to switch to anything else.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2006 15:35:48 | More by TheManiacalOne

rabsten

West Virginia

4.72/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Okay, I just reviewed the bottled version. I swung by Fat Head's on my way out of town a couple of weeks back and it was available on tap. I had to try it again; I''m glad I did.

Poured into a fluted glass, the head was minimal so as to maximize the serving size but was still impressively thick and sticky. The smell was somewhat subdued as compared to the bottled variety, but still extremely floral and piney.

The Flavor was superior to the bottled version, showing more balance: while the hops were still massive, the malt was actually present. Mouthfeel was thinner and much more pleasant. The 12oz serving was just about a perfect size, as well. Very drinkable.

A very good beer in bottles became a great beer on tap. If you ever have a chance, do yourself a favor and get a glass. You'll be glad you did.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2006 03:17:28 | More by rabsten

suIIy

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Draught @ RedBones 7/6/06. Pours a bright redish amber color with a small off white head. Nose is syrupy sugar with some faint hop notes and a caramel malt presence. Mouthfeel is sticky and syrupy, can almost feel the sugar granules. Flavor leaves much to be desired. Hops are there but are overtaken by syrup, sugar and a sticky caramel maltiness. Finishes with a light bitterness and a sticky mouth.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2006 16:43:14 | More by suIIy

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep orange and clear, this was topped by a thick eggshell coloured head. Superb retention and clumpy lacing was left behind right down to the bottom of the glass. Intense pine aroma with orange and grapefruit taking a bit of a back seat. Alcohol was very faint. Solid sweetness up front that became milder later on, with a solid, balanced bitterness. Some caramel and mostly piney hops. Alcohol appeared in the end and lingered in the finish (along with hops and bitterness). Full body, low carbonation and slightly sticky. A well-balanced combination of hops, malt and alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2006 02:08:00 | More by DrJay

ridedammit

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A and I went to Cambridge Common with some friend from Florida and sampled this on tap. Due to the higher alcohol we were served in a 10oz serving glass, which was fine since it does have a a bit of a kick.

Color is more amber that pale-alish, and the taste is quite matly sweet, but not
overwhelmingly so. Nice hoppy balance so that you are never getting too
much acid or malt. The nose has a hint of the citrusy hop, but does not
come across as a big IPA. The sweetness makes this a nice dessert type of beer
and it finished off the evening better than a piece of pie.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2006 16:56:59 | More by ridedammit