Gemini (Imperial Blended Ale) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

JordanChabot

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

It's been a while since I have attempted to process an actual beer experience into anything but an abstract thought that exists only to disappear with the bottom of a bottle. But, still, I am going to attempt a larger more in depth description to what this fine brew has to offer. Southern Tier has kicked off my year with this amazing blending of two beers! Alright, all freestyling aside, here is what you can expect from Gemini.

I have once heard the astrological description of a "Gemini" to be "bright, quick, and the life of the party". Just so happens Ms. Cleo might have actually been right on this one. The beer pours a nice amber color with a bright white head that settles slowly and nicely. The lacing is so prominent that one might not realize the head has subsided when admiring the beer from afar (which I do not recommend...get one in front of you!)
The aroma is rich with a bouquet of hops, (6 different hops to be exact) lemon spice, and citrus peel. The alcohol seems to be totally masked by this resinous beast. This comes with a surprise seeing how even the heaviest hopped ales with an abv% this high tend to act only as an air freshener, barely hiding the unpleasant alcohol sting. But, we haven't tasted this yet have we..?
First touch to the tongue brings a nice sweetness and incredibly balanced blend of hop varieties. This isn't a mere clumsy I.P.A. stuffed with every hop within reach, but a nice experience of aroma hops, bittering hops, and backing hops that play very nicely off one another. Grapefruit and pine dominate the palate followed by a sticky resinous finish that dissipates right before it overstays its welcome. The carbonation is nice and light so that the bitterness of the hops doesn't combine to rip your mouth apart. Again, balance is the key with this Imperial ale. For all the work these artistically combined hops can't do for each other, white wheat and cara-pils malt step in and play a very important balancing role behind the scenes, while keeping the body light and refreshing.
I would pair this fine ale with some spicy barbecue, sharp and/or smelly cheeses, and/or some grilled meat or salmon. It is recommended, as with many Imperial Ales, to be served in a tulip glass at cellar temperature (around 42-45 F), but a wine glass would probably do.
So, Southern Tier does it yet again. It's getting unfair. But, the better beer gets, the better it is going to get. Let's hope the competition gets a hold of one of these and gets inspired. Because, you know, when that happens... We all win!
Happy new Beer!

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2009 02:10:32 | More by JordanChabot

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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

When I found out ST was discontinuing several of their good but oft overlooked brews, mainly by myself, I decided to scoop up a Oat and Mokah, and once reading that others favorite that was being discontinued was the Gemini decided I had to scoop one up for myself.

A - First pour is pretty much clear with a golden/amber color, with a nice finger of near white head. Retention is good, still a complete thin layer over the surface 20+ minutes later. Lacing is fantastic. (The second pour yielded similar results but with a much cloudier and therefore slightly lighter golden color)

S - Lots of citrusy bitterness, grapefruit, lemon, definitely a good bit of alcohol burn and some sweeter caramel flavors.

T - Wow lots of sweet, hoppy, alcohol burning, sugary sweet bitterness. Usually I get flavors in waves but this literally just all hit immediately on my first sip... and the following. Very good and very potent, citrusy goodness slowly begins to shine after the initial strength and my palate adjusted well after the first two sips

M - nearly full bodied, pretty thick, minimal carbonation. The bitterness keeps it pretty refreshing

O - Really strong, not one I would go to regularly but very good if I want a somewhat heavy hitter worthy of sipping.

Serving type: bottle

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