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

williamherbert

New York

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

Nice clear red-orange color. Very solid head, even after a few months of sitting in the fridge.

Strong, inviting hoppy aroma. This is one that if I caught a whiff of someone drinking it, I would float right to it like Toucan Sam. Tantalizing aroma.

Strong, heavy hop flavor. "Imperial" about sums it up. Very heavy hop presence, but a surprisingly mild and pleasant aftertaste. Doesn't sit on the palate.

This is a very thick and heavy ale, and though it's 11.00% ABV, there is not an overwhelming alcoholic characteristic to it. Doesn't have any of that sour vinegary flavor I was worried about. It's smoothness is surprising given how heavy the hops are.

I could drink several of these assuming I had nowhere to go. Like tonight. These Southern Tier guys really know how to get it done. Excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2006 01:09:10 | More by williamherbert

jsbrendle

Pennsylvania

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

I had a chance to try a split off a big bottle of this last evening. Wow! Good color, nice head, inviting. Impressive hop aroma, substantial hop flavors (perhaps more Cascade in the aroma and flavor than I'd like, but that's ok) but so beautifully balanced with the dryness of the alcohol (high at 11%) and the chewy caramely malt that it sure shocked me when I heard how many IBUs it had in it. A very nice example of the style. By the name alone I had expected a bigger dose of hops, the balance thrown badly askew, so I was quite happy. I think this would hold up well against similar product from other makers (Victory, Stone, Stoudt, DFH Burton?), but I think the true hop-head would probably be better off with Weyerbacher Hops Infusion or Three Floyds' Dreadnaught or maybe even the (lighter single IPA) Legacy HHH because of this deceptive balance. Hmmm. I am likely to add this to my regular rotation of big bitter beers as long as we can get it.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2006 13:10:17 | More by jsbrendle

aaronh

Pennsylvania

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

Rich copper body with golden highlights. This beer almost glows. It's topped by a thick long-lasting head that has a nice yellow-cream color. Aroma is great, with nice hop florals and a hint of citrus and pine touched by malty alcohol sweetness. The flavor is also fabulous, with a restrained bitterness. The flavor focuses more on actual hop flavor than just over-the-top smack you in the kisser IBUs. Great tangerine, pineapple, and pine rosin flavors that are very well balanced with the malt profile. This beer also does not seem to be 11% ABV; it's very well crafted. Mouthfeel is solid, without the thickness of most big beers. Drinkability is fantastic. I've gotta get some more of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2006 22:30:38 | More by aaronh

egajdzis

Pennsylvania

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

Poured a copper color with a medium sized, off white head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of citrus fruits, pine, caramel malts, fresh cut grass, and some alcohol as well. Taste included much of the same, with some tangerine, and a fair amount of alcohol in the finish.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2006 00:31:13 | More by egajdzis

NEhophead

Massachusetts

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

1 pt. 6 fl oz brown bottle.

153 IBUs?...I can't wait!

Clean auburn, light maple in color. Dense, off-white head that attacks the sides of the snifter. Thin and spotted lacing, most of which clings well.

Citric aromas and tropical fruit: pineapple, lime, lemongrass. Oily hop resin, but not overpowering at all. Underlying semi-sweet caramel creaminess.

Semi-sweet, toasted caramel maltiness initially; yeast-filled, creamy biscuit. The hops are aggressive, but well rounded: the alcohol presence boosts up the oiliness of the hop resins. Matured pine, bubblegum, and light citrus notes. A big juicy hop bite makes for an oily, gaseous-like bitterness.

A light, medium in body; gaseously creamy and pretty smooth for the style.

A pleasantly flavored Double IPA with a deceptive alcohol presence. I don't care if this is 11% abv, fill me up a growler!

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2006 00:04:17 | More by NEhophead

MattBrooks

Massachusetts

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

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one. I've come to find that these guys are hit or miss at times with their brews and with one that lists 153 IBU's, I was expecting quite a bit. And boy did it deliver! It pours smoothly into my pint glass with a rich, frothy head and an orange-almost reddish color. The aroma of hops dominates his beer and going in for the first sip, I was worried that it would be too much. On the contrary, it was perfectly balanced. This is a true hop-heads delight. Demand your local shop get this one in immediately.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2006 01:48:58 | More by MattBrooks

johnniemarg

New York

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

22oz bomber poured into a pint glass.

Before I comment on the appearance, I need to say that from 2 feet away this smells pungent.

Pours a nice amber color with a one-finger off white head. Crystal clear with lazy carbonation. Some lacing but not a ton.

The smell is primarily fresh cut grapefruit and sweeter orange-y citrus. Very pungent.

The taste begins citrusy and hoppy with a smooth thick malt base and then becomes a little astringent in the long finish, but this astringent quality is fading as the beer warms (or is it as the as the beer warms me?).

The mouthfeel is just on the thicker side of medium bodied. I agree with some others that the carbonation is about perfect. Very pleasant. Some stickiness despite not being super sugary sweet.

This isn't as hoppy as the 153 ibu's on the bottle would suggest. The hops don't destroy your palate. Well balanced. Also not as sweet and sugary as some DIPAs, such as the DFH 90 min for example (although that's a quality I do enjoy in DIPAs). Make sure to let it warm because I didn't like this at first taste and I've been scrolling back up to change my review with each taste as it warms. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2006 01:53:30 | More by johnniemarg

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

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

The beer poured into the glass crystal clear amber copper with an off-white and frothy head which rose tall and fell slowly to lace the glass.

The aroma was malty with a strong citrusy impression and a resinous hop presence. That hops were also piney and the malt was caramel with a subtle sweetness.

The flavor was nicely balanced with a resinous but never overpowering hop contribution in both bittering and flavor. The malt was no slouch either with caramel and a lightly toasty character. Hops were citrusy and more earthy that in the aroma but still with a bit of a piney and resinous punctuation.

The finish was dry, but not overly so, with lasting malt impressions and strong hop bittering and flavor components well into the aftertaste and beyond. The body was almost full but had a creamy mouthfeel which was a wonderful touch. A great beer, only light alcohol warming in the beer which was nice in an 11% beer. Tread lightly, this one packs a punch!

22 ounce bottle. Thanks BeerBeing!

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2006 22:06:42 | More by GCBrewingCo

Jacobob10

New Jersey

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

A 22 oz. bomber bought in Boston (thanks Nick!), brought back home to NJ, then brought to upstate NY to share with friends. About 500 miles later, this beer was finally consumed and it received rave reviews from all that tried it.

Orange colored with a sticky white head. Good head retention. The aroma is full of citrus and floral notes. Very inviting. The taste says it all though. Maybe the best tasting DIPA I've ever had and certainly one of the most balanced as far as hops and malt go. Are the hops over the top? Of course, it's part of the style, but the malts provide the sweet backdrop that ties it all together. Something that I feel is missing from some DIPAs like Stone Ruination or Victory Hop Wallop, but makes DFH 90 Min the great beer that it is. But back to the Unearthly. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both terrific. 11%?!?! I wouldn't have guessed it. The alcohol is slightly noticable but does not burn your mouth in any way as some of the over the top beers in this style can do.

This is a big beer, but with lots of balance that makes it a very enjoyable sipper. Something I will seek out again and maybe even stock up on. A must try if it's available to you.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2006 01:32:33 | More by Jacobob10

WeymouthMike

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A dark mahogany reddish/brown which is clear with a one finger white head. Taste reminds me of a 90 minute, warm and sweet , perfect in my book. Mouthfeel is different than the 90 minute, this is thicker with a little more bitterness to the finish. One thing I love about Southern Tier is the bottle gives you the geeky beer numbers and ingredients, bottle design is also top notch.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2006 00:25:42 | More by WeymouthMike

TrickKnee

Connecticut

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

I would have gave this little beer it if were not for the lack on consistency. I bought a couple bottles of this about a week ago and had one right away. Thought it had a great hoppiness to it, nice amber color and decent head. And believe you and I, the 11% abv does give you a little kick. Had another bottle last night and it was completely different, sever lack of head and a completely different taste, so much so that i thought i was drinking another beer. Lack of the same amount of hops smell from my sample no less than a week before. Will definetly have to try again and see which result i can create.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2006 19:14:50 | More by TrickKnee

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - a tea brown color, with a durable off-white/light-tan head, absent of carbonation and sediment

S - hopariffic, hoppy to a piney degree, the hops are overpowering if there are any other aromas

T - a nice background honey type sweetness that is still evident despite the bombing of hopes, that ultra piney deliciousness of tons of quality hops that i have come to love and savor

M - bitter of course, but still well balanced

D - high for hopheads, others who dont particularly enjoy hops may find this brew too bitter

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2006 01:47:54 | More by sinstaineddemon

edchicma

Massachusetts

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

Pours a reddish gold with an initial decent head.. Smell is rich..a blend of yeast and hop aromas. The taste is an explosion of hops, but in a smooth presnetation...no harshness. Excellent for the high abv...very little "bite". Mouthfeel is smooth, medium bodied, which leads into a very good drinkability rating.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2006 13:48:21 | More by edchicma

kmpitz2

Tennessee

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

22 oz bomber. Pours a vert deep golden color with a half finger of head that falls to a lightly broken head over top. Clarity is excellent, and there is no apparent carbonation bubbling up in the glass. This is a really good looking brew. It almost has a glow to it. The aroma is very thick. It has huge caramel notes balanced out by big juicy and sweet grapefruity hop. There is a lot of sweetness in the nose here. Its almost a bit too much for me. Flavor is pretty nice. It is definately dominated by big caramel maltyness. It is backed with a moderate grapefruity hop and a very mild and faint piney hop that is mostly flavor. The bitterness on the finish is very mild, and I think this keeps the beer very easy drinking. There is really no hint of the 11% ABV in the flavor at all. Mouthfeel is thick, almost a touch slick and syrupy. The carbonation is pretty much absent, so this one really sits heavy. As far as DIPA's go, this one is working well for me. The nose is a bit strong in sweetness, but this is more balanced in the flavor. Its defintaly letting me know that the alcohol is there as I drink more of it, but its not in the nose or flavor. This is a nice DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2006 03:39:28 | More by kmpitz2

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

trep

West Virginia

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

22oz bottle with a plethora of information about the beer on the silk-screened label. Very classy looking bottle.

Truely the definition of amber colored body. Off-white head slowly settles to leave scattered bubbles and a bit of lacing.

Very pleasing aroma of citrus, pine, and floral hops followed by a dash of sweet honey. Definitely a good bit of malt sweetness as well which keeps the nose from being dominated by hops. Not that I would be complaining.

Stinging piney hop bitterness initially then it suddenly fades to let the citrus and floral hops through. Ton of malt in this one and a nice fruity finish that tastes like canteloupe or honeydew. Sweet malts keep this one fairly balanced. Not as bitter as I was expecting it to be, but definitely a top notch beer.

Not super thick, but definitely not thin...or even medium. Nice carbonation and it's pretty balanced. Mind-blowingly easy drinking for 11%. Anytime something 11% goes down this easy I just have to give it a high number.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2006 03:44:55 | More by trep

mcowgill

Massachusetts

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

A - This beer pours a great clear amberish color with nice creamy head that lasts awhile.

S - Citrus hoppy aroma but also very present malt aroma as well. It doesn't have an intense hoppy aroma. I was surprised by this.

T - This is a very well balanced tasty brew. The oily hops are huge but the malt is there balancing it all out.

M - Medium bodied, fairly carbonated, and smooth.

D - This is one very drinkable beer considering the ABV and the fact that it's a huge IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2006 18:21:40 | More by mcowgill

nlmartin

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer was served in a imperial nonic.

Appearance: The beer has a clear copper coloration. The beer has a very thick honey white head. The beer leaves major lacing behind on the glass.

Smell: The beer delivers a massive hoppy pine resin and grapefruit smells. The beer has a big caramel maltyness.

Taste: The beer gives a great delivery on hops. The beer gives out a major load of grapefruit and pine resin hoppyness. The beer has a good spicy alcohol accompliment. The beer has a majorly big caramel maltyness.

Mouthfeel/ Drinkability: The beer has a majorly big body. The alcohol compliments the beer providing spicyness without heat. This beer is very drinkable. The beer is a party in a bottle for one or two people.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2006 11:12:58 | More by nlmartin

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I am not normally a big fan of this style, though I did like this one. It was a very good hop mix and tasty, well malted. Hop resin, grapefruit aroma. Very drinkable at the end of a hot day.Alcohol was not so apparent."Wierd" was the reaction of my sharing guest.
On tap 9 months later, big bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2006 03:31:49 | More by northyorksammy

goodbyeohio

Oregon

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

22oz beer purchased in.. hmm.. northampton?

it sure looks imperial in the glass. it's a deep, unflinching dark copper color with 1.5 fingers of majestic, crowning foam. patchy and crusty on the top like the inside of an italian loaf.. the bottom 2/3 are solid as a rock, and diminish into a tight, creamy thin layer. tiny bubbles are visible racing. looks like they have no trouble making it to the top.

nose is dreamy in its raw hoppiness, bringing out sweet sticky malts versus over-the-top mouthwatering citrus pulp and pressed juice of grapefruits. slightly piney, mostly fresh-picked goodness. cascades well used and serves well to cover up some of the booziness that this beer carries, inevitably.

body itself is pretty thick yet smooth, and a slight afterburn in the esophagus is a result, no doubt, of the jacked abv. the beer itself begins as a spicy melange of hop juices and raw-consumed whole flowers. if the base beer was any less sweet, this would be too bitter to take. however, it's balanced like two giants doing battle and works. the finish is a unique, licorice flavor with hints of earth and raw nutmeg. really quite unique and impressive. sure, you can't chug this, but i keep wanting more. for almost 12%, that makes it 'drinkable' in my book. many beers this high are too sweet or abrasive for me to even contemplate drinking.

a hophead's dream.. close to behemoth barleywine in its succulence. a really good choice.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2006 23:33:06 | More by goodbyeohio

Prufrock

Massachusetts

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

22 oz. bomber into a pilsner.

deep orange amber with an inch of thick off-white head that retains well and leaves tons of lace. tons of rising bubbles. nice-looking beer.

tons of fruity, gummi candy aromas. peaches, tangerines, grapefruits, and tropical fruits. sugary sweet malts as well.

amazingly drinkable given the alcohol and IBUs. nicely complex hop flavors with a medium-bodied, refreshingly drinkable mouthfeel. sugary caramel start, then finishes with a citrusy, fruity hoppiness. impressively balanced, and a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2006 13:34:36 | More by Prufrock

Billolick

New York

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

Bomber, without freshness or vintage dating. This stunner pours a bright copper shade of amber, clear and glistening. Supports a long lasting, creamy tan head, and leaves thick, sticky and long lasting stringy lacing after a swirl.. Aroma is of goey, oily hops. Lots of grapefruit, and oily hop crunch in the flavor profile here. Full bodied and full flavor DIPA. Smooth and heady brew, alcohol clearly present, but its layered and dovetailed nicely into and within the layers of hops/malty base. Complex, strong, bold and highly recommended creation. Fine sipper/nightcapper

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2006 04:23:56 | More by Billolick

soultrain

New York

3.95/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass.

A-Crystal clear amber, 2" off-white foam, fades to 1/4" in minutes. Mild carbonation. Some o.k. lacing.
S-Sweet malts and lots of hop aroma. Smells great, but hops are stronger in the aroma than in the taste.
T-11% alcohol very apparent, not like a kick in the skull with a hobnail boot, but it seems this beer had one foot in barleywine territory. Had this at cellar temp.; wish I started it cooler and let it gradually warm. After the boozy intro, the well balanced hop/malt flavors appear, and they are tasty indeed, yet the 153 I.B.U.s and the dryhopping don't yield the extreme bitter hop-bomb that I was expecting. Sweet, peppery, long-lingering spicey finish. Long lingering hop aftertaste. A boozy sipper: consume wisely, it says on the label, like a warning. I understood this when I tried to stand: respect beer.
M-Chewy thick mouthfeel. A little too syrupy-sweet for my taste, but nice overall.
D-Imperial alcohol content makes this hard to drink in quantity and I'm glad I split this bottle with someone.

CRUX: VERY BIG IMPERIAL IPA HERE. HUGE. An IPA that deserves a place in any serious big ipa tasting, for sure. It's well made; think this is a fine IPA to share and slowly savor with a friend. Glad I was able to try this.

Thanks to Lagrin for the sample.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2006 15:38:11 | More by soultrain

FLAbeergutinMASS

Massachusetts

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

I’ve got high expectations for this one. 22 oz. bomber purchased at Ryan and Casey for $6.00. Very informative bottle literature. Seems loaded from the start. First pour is vigorous and lively, loaded with candied fruit, particularly bananas and cherries. Nose is very fresh, and unrelenting. At first sip I can tell this is a serious beer. Absolutely loaded with hops and bitters. Slightly dry finish.

A good DIPA. I think I may be tiring of this style, I just feel the alcohol is too prominent, not a bad thing, but it tends to lead the style streamlined.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2006 23:56:03 | More by FLAbeergutinMASS

HopasaurusRex

New Hampshire

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

Reddish-amber bodied ale topped by thin flecks of foam. Nose of sweet pine sap, cotton candy, tangerine, and lupulin. Fresh punch of hops batters my tongue with bitterness. Some fusels due to high alcohol content. Tropical fruit flavors of pineapple, mandarin orange, and mango mingle with citrusy resinous hops. A truly unearthly combination of hops (Chinook, Cascade, Centennial, & Styrian Golding) that packs a wallop. Definitely approaches triple IPAhood. I took my time polishing off the bomber.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2006 17:02:47 | More by HopasaurusRex