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

haazer

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- A golden beer with orange highlights. Carbonation evident, due to the filtered beer...Booo!! Ah it still looks good. Bubbly white head that leaves lots of lacing.

S- Very earthly hops(obviously). Grass, slight pine, big hop cone profile. Smells dirty.

T- Good bit of cantelope, honeydo, and sticky malt. This is a bitter bomb. No pine but I definitely get tree sap. The abv tries to rear it's ugly head but it's kept in check on the finish.

M- Medium bodied with mid level carbonation. Lip smacking and sticky.

O- I definitely dig this from Southern Tier. It's name definitely fits description, and will have this in the future. Definitely recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 20:22:58 | More by haazer

drtth

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a standard shaker pint glass. Glass of cold water on the side to sip from periodically.

Appearance: As served the beer is a rich golden/copper color with a ¼” white head that soon receded to a layer of foam and a ring around the glass with a bit of lacing left behind. Sipping left scattered lengths and bits of lacing clinging to the sides of the glass for much of the beer.

Smell: The aroma is a light, fresh mix of grapefruit and caramel with touches of orange.

Taste: The flavors include grapefruit zest blended with some sweetness of the malt, topped off with some candied orange zest. However, the overall impression is of a nice gentle bitterness that just cuts into the sweetness from the malt and prevents it from becoming cloying.

Mouthfeel: The mouth feel is smooth and medium bodied with adequate carbonation. The finish is on the long side of medium and begins with a mix of sweet caramel and grapefruit zest that tapers slowly away into a nicely dry bitterness.

Drinkability and Overall Impression: The beer is a pleasure to sip in that it is never overly bitter nor overly sweet. So “balanced” is a good word for this beer. It is definitely a well made Imperial IPA and one well worth having again. My overall impression is of a memorable beer that stands out as an excellent example of the style and as having few if any flaws.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2012 20:02:08 | More by drtth

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Surprised I have'nt tried this before.

A-Pours amber. Head is smaller. A bare-bones layer of off-white bubbles. Does lace well.

S-Malty before hoppy. Citrus and pine do show up in the nose but this is balanced, if not leaning more towards the malty side. Alcohol slightly noticeable.

T-Akin to the nose. Malty DIPA. Not my style. Has some hop but not enough. Sweet, caramel glazed doughnuts. Citrus does combine well with the malt bill, but it definitely is not hoppy enough for my taste. Boozy.

M-Syrupy. Medium carbonation. Kinda sticks to the tongue. Alcohol combines with the sweetness.

O/D-I now see why I have subconsciously avoided this beer (I knew it was a sweet-sided DIPA). Not really a fan here. I think I enjoyed the Oak-Aged version better because it worked well with the beers sweet tendencies. I will take any DIPA that at least tries to be hop forward before I take this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 04:16:44 | More by VelvetExtract

brystmar

New York

4.08/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On draft at Rattle'n'Hum.

Surprisingly dark amber pour, plenty of red hues for added personality. Fresh pine & hop character greet my nose, with hearty malts just behind.

Sweet caramel malts blend nicely with the hops. Creamy body. Refreshingly clean, yet still retains its hoppy sharpness. Very strong, slightly sweet malt backbone -- which is how I like my DIPAs -- that finishes equally sweet and bitter. Odd, yes, but I like this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 17:46:36 | More by brystmar

kylehay2004

Florida

3.93/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1.5 finger head with solid circumferential lacing on a clear golden with crimson hues body.

S: light citrus with a cinnamon note otherwise not much on the nose.

T: initially a bitter citrus flavor with a maple syrup like finish both in taste and mouthfeel. The hips are lighter than I was expecting. Candy like notes as well.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation.

Overall: this one is an interesting beer. The mouthfeel is thicker than I expected and there is more of a molasses note than hops.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2012 02:01:41 | More by kylehay2004

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap into a tulip glass at the Winking Lizard

A- Poured a clear orange color with creamy head. Webbed lacing coated nearly the entire glass.

S- Huge hop aroma. Big tropical fruit and grapefruit, piney, floral, and sweet sugary aroma reminiscent of sweet tarts

T- Big sweet tropical fruits and sweet tarts taste, citrus, Belgian yeast tasting quality reminiscent of a Belgian IPA like Raging Bitch. This is probably the sweetest DIPA I have ever had, super sweet up front but finishes pretty bitter.

M- A little slick on the mouthfeel but pretty highly carbonated. Some alcohol warming

O- A super sweet DIPA with candy like flavors. Very drinkable and interesting DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-05-2012 04:25:45 | More by Hoptometrist

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

2.15/5  rDev -47.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

On Tap at TJ'S EVERYDAY in Paoli, PA.

Unearthly boasts a persimmon orange with some dark golden spots around the edges. A nice amount of loose melted sugar colored foam uptop that left after some time, minor sticks on the glass.

Smell is very off putting for me. There is some underlining citrus and earthy appeal, yet Unearthly smells like Elmers Glue. Enamel stripping type stuff, chemicals. Super sweet smelling as well with candi.

Trying to get past the smell, this has some nice heady hop qualitys bringing slight mango and other citrus, tropic like. Im sure it could be better if it was not for the super sweet malt profile that comes with alot of ST offerings for me. Are they trying to kill people?

Feel is a strong medium with a syrup consistency, it's not all that easy to get down the hatch. The carb is low enough to hardly be noticed. Alcohol coats the mouth. This is not looking good.

I had this once when I was first getting into IPA's/DIPA's years ago and I was indifferent on it then, going towards the MEH pile. Now after having it again years later, this is in the FUCK NO pile.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 02:53:13 | More by onix1agr

MsRif

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at the Farmhouse in Emmaus, PA. Poured a yellow-orange color with a small white head. Minimal lacing. Aroma of citrus and earthy hops. Tasted of earthy hops, citrus (quite acidic) and a touch of sweet fruit/honey. VERY bitter.

Medium-bodied with good carbonation. Fairly one-dimensional and overall not great, but worth a try for the experience. I wouldn't get more than a sample simply because it is so dry and bitter...not very drinkable, and the style is not an excuse as I've had some very drinkable DIPA's.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 15:15:25 | More by MsRif

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at the Farmhouse, Emmaus, PA

Poured a medium amber hue with a small off-white head. Smell of citrus zest and fresh hops. Taste starts out with a caramel coated biscuity-ness, but is soon overtaken by a good dose of fresh hops, lemon zest, and a bit of grapefruit essence, with a subtle minty quality. Decently balanced with neither aspect fully taking complete control for any extended bit of time. Medium mouthfeel, and quite drinkable, though nothing really above average.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 15:01:55 | More by Rifugium

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a slightly cloudy orange hue with about one finger of fluffy white head that dissappeared rather quickly.

The scent was of citrus, notes of floral hops, some notes of sweet sugar.

The taste was of citrus, orange peel, mildly bitter floral hops, and notes of alcohol at the end.

Medium body, very smooth feel, low carbonation.

I thought this was a pretty good beer, very easy to drink. Maybe a little more sweet than I would like, but still something I would drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 14:42:05 | More by BeerCon5

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I must say, I like this more than the oak aged rendition. Much smoother although, this STILL tastes oaky. Poured with a minimal head. Very sweet, malty taste. Lots of caramel. Finishes a bit sweet. Decent enough beer, but won't likely revisit. Give it a try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2011 18:01:35 | More by Retail1LO

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Cobblestone's -served chilled in a pils glass.

The color is amber bordering on copper, the clarity is good and the retention is very good with a sheet of lace sticking as the head retains well, the bead is fine. The smell is more like fruit than most imperial Ipa's I have had, sweet and slightly alcoholic in nose, but fruit with a very tropical quality-like Hawaiian punch, I am serious- it has a lot of pineapple odor. The feel is good, but starts bitter and moves into a sweet realm in the middle with resinous quality and finishes spicy with some residual sweetness and light alcohol element, but not off putting.

The flavor is good, but it seems to be bitter enough to shift toward the hops, but the malt presence in the taste gives the impression of balance -a nice fruity flavor from the hops, more citrus as it warms,but also more bitter and the taste of alcohol and spice comes forward too. There is a nice tropical element in this that seems outweighed by the caramel malt slightly which is unfortunate. I prefere a more dry Imperial IPA, but for this style I think this beer is very good. I consider it very drinkable considering the high 9.5% abv which is mostly hidden in the full malt and generous hop dosing in the flavor

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 17:03:41 | More by Slatetank

rustymoore

Tennessee

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

A: pours a golden amber into a snifter...moderate head with some lacing throughout
S: smells like fresh fruits such as apricot and fresh hop aromas
T: tastes sweet, slight alcohol twinge, with a great strong hop bite, dried fruits come thru as well
M: very spicy and acidic on the tongue
O: overall an excellent strong beer to enjoy when u r feeling bold. This isn't a beer to play around with

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2011 02:41:07 | More by rustymoore

JLeege

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft - Into a tulip

Appearance- Pours a clear light copper color, with a nice bubbly 2 finger white head, decent retention, a little lace left behind.

Smell- Has a very earthy hop presence, notes of resinous pine and a little citrus. Some caramel malt as well. great aroma.

Taste-Floral throughout, Pine resin, light citrus, mostly pineapple/grapefruit. With a medium malt backbone. A little booze on the finish. The taste covers nearly the entire hop spectrum, and works pretty well overall.

Mouthfeel- Medium body and carbonation, a bit oily.

Overall- It is a palate wrecker, but it tastes pretty damn good. I would end your drinking session with this one, because you won't be tasting all that much after this one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2011 04:38:08 | More by JLeege

fastsrt

New York

4.18/5  rDev +2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured 12 ounce pour

A: clear,amber, white head half Way through there is lace coating the glass.

S: hoppy, citrus, malt

T: balanced, hoppy, malty, pineapple, booze

M: prickly carbonation, finishes Sticky

D: it is a boozy ipa, I like it, it's fresh and has alot of character.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2011 21:59:30 | More by fastsrt

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Served with a clear copper body...a lot of carbonation bubbles racing to the top...a small, off white head settles into a thin, spotty cap...decent lacing

S - The nose is well balanced but not very big...the malts are sweet and the hops are sweet and citrusy...a little alcohol burn

T - There is an initial caramel sweetness up front...the hops peak in the middle...they provide another sweetness with a blast of citrus...there's a balanced in the middle of the beer...the finish is piney hops with a hot, bitter finish

M - Medium bodied...creamy, oily, bitter

D - UnEarthly had a nice balance to it but I prefer my DIPAs with more hop presence...the tap provided a nice mouthfeel that was oily and creamy and coated the palate and left you wanting another sip...on the downside the 10% showed up a little too much

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2011 18:11:38 | More by thain709

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Local Option in a tulip.

Appearance: This pours a transparent amber color with bits of haze in the middle of the glass. A full, creamy, off-white head forms upon pouring. This head retains nicely and leaves an impressive sheet of lace down the glass.

Smell: Tons of spicy pine and spruce hops. Some lighter grapefruit hops, caramel malt, and some light pineapple, tangerine, spice, and alcohol in the background.

Taste: It starts sweet with caramel malt interacting well with juicy pineapple and tangerine. The tropical fruit flavors are very forward here. As the bitterness grows, spicy pine and spruce take over, with a touch of grapefruit, all the while keeping a balanced sweetness. It finishes moderately bitter and fairly sweet. Fairly balanced overall with tons of spicy notes, despite the big ABV and truckload of hops that were included.

Mouthfeel: Half smooth, half grainy, but with very creamy carbonation. Medium to full body and very sticky. As I progress through the glass, the bitterness builds and peels the tongue a little bit.

Drinkability: This is a quaffable brew, right in my wheelhouse ABV and in terms of flavor. For some reason a ton of pine hops always puts a ceiling on how much I will like it, but I would definitely go back to this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2011 18:00:39 | More by KickInTheChalice

bishopdc0

Maine

3.63/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber color with head which dissipates to the side of the glass

Malt and a hop fruitiness not overwhelming but compliments well

The taste of hop fruitiness overall, it is paired well with the pale malts. It is sweet and finishes floral with a slight citrus hop

The mouth is very smooth and little carbonation and has a slight alcohol dry finish

For a double IPA this is very easy to drink, not heavy malt body but full of flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2011 19:39:53 | More by bishopdc0

JTahoe

California

3.75/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

IPA candy... balanced sweet and bitter with fairly rich impression. pine and spruce mingled with tangerine on the nose with a whiff of charred sugar. mellow pine laced with tropical fruit and subtle lemon and super mellow grapefruit.. thick yet prickly mouth feel. nice drink. great effort.

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2011 00:02:34 | More by JTahoe

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Southern Tier Unearthly served on a standard pint at mighty Max's on B'more, MD.

Appearance: Deep amber color, like a brick-layered rowhouse in Fell's Point. Decent one-finger head, thin lacing but good retention.

Smell: Orange-peel sorbet, a citrus overload followed by controlled hoppiness. Some sweetness and spice too, like a rustic homemade shortbread with melted vanilla ice-cream all over.

Taste: Honey, grapefruit, booze. Floral end, like a drinkable botanical garden.

Mouthfeel: Full body and flavor but low carbonation. Not too sticky or resiny, as I would expect from a huge DIPA like this. Well balanced.

Drinkability: Pretty nice. Alcohol is well hidden, not too boozy even when warm. Chuggable despite the high ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2010 03:32:56 | More by DoubleSimcoe

grittybrews

Washington

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

Poured a rich orange-amber into a pint glass with a bit of eggshell head. Aroma dominated by sweet caramel, pine, and a hint of citrus.

Moderate carbonation and a full, chewy mouthfeel with a nice resinous component. Powerful dose of sweet, biscuity caramel malt up front followed by wonderfully balanced hop flavors of grapefruit, orange, and pine.

Slight boozy warm on the finish, but the high ABV is otherwise undetectable. Not overly cloying and extremely drinkable for such a big IIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 03:40:00 | More by grittybrews

beer2day

North Carolina

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

Amber red pour into a snifter. Froth 2-finger head with thin retention. Excellent lace.

Nose is very earthy. Lots of malt here with a floral hop backing. Slightly understated.

Thick creamy taste. An incredible amount of malt body here. Deep rich hop profile with slight herbal feel. More flowery though. No e hop burn in the finish without overpowering.

Excellent sipper.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2010 00:13:49 | More by beer2day

mtnbikerpa

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My review was written from Unearthly that I had on tap. I have also had this beer many times in bottle. It is one of my favorite beers. Poured into a plastic solo cup, bright copper orange color with a very sticky, huge head. Strong scents of pine, citrus fruits like grapefruit, some pineapple. The flavors follow the scent profile, sticky hops, pine flavors. Grapefruit, orange, pineapple fruitiness. This beer coats your tongue so each sip is more punishing with the hops. Mouthfeel is somewhat heavy. Very drinkable and it will catch up to you because the alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2010 00:22:04 | More by mtnbikerpa

jettjon

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draft pour at bar yields a minimal head but one that stays and stays, fueled by an endless supply of slow carbonation. Light cherry reddish/dark orange color with good clarity. Nose of strong pine and citrus hops, though surprisingly no hint of alcohol despite ~10% ABV. Nose smells very crisp and clean. In the mouth, it's surprisingly well balanced between tongue-numbing hops and firmly anchoring malts. Nice alcohol and hops bite at the end reminds me that I'm drinking a DIPA. Only slightly boozy; again, high ABV is extremely well masked. Mouth is quite pleasing with a good chewy semi-viscous character. Drinkability is also very good; 10% ABV is well masked and the hops assault is balanced against the malt.

Overall: A very good DIPA and a new go-to brew for me when I'm in the mood for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2010 22:43:17 | More by jettjon

STEG

New York

4.25/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep gold amber appearance. Smell has caramel burnt sugar and pine. Taste is like caramel pine needles garnished with orange zest some more deeper citrusy flavors towards the end. Mouthfeel is smooth and oily. Drinkability takes a hit due to he alcohol content and palate destruction.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2010 22:53:51 | More by STEG