Krampus (Imperial Helles Lager) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

RickS95

Indiana

3.99/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I like it for a lager. A mild chestnut, light brown color. Fairly clear though the darkness keeps most light out. Head is minimal, but very contrasting in white against the darker background and a faint lacing left behind.

A lot of stuff on the nose and it comes from all directions giving it layers of scent. Malty, bready, and damp, musty hops. If you almost get your nose wet, you can pick up the 9% ABV.

Tastes nothing like I expected. The malts and bready smell are completely overwhelmed by the hops and alcohol. Really, it tastes more like an IPA or even a barleywine. There's really no flavor til mid-sip at which point the hops and alcohol really take over.

It's a bruiser. Normally lagers are more subtle, but being an imperial, you get the full force of the hop-alcohol 1-2 punch. Kind of bready feel, which is quickly transformed into a bitter, hot finish. Full bodied. Slight carbonation.

Overall, I liked it. It matched the name and story behind the beer as this is all about what Santa isn't. Going to sleep well tonight.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 04:08:40 | More by RickS95

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

05-22-2013 18:57:41 | More by ncstateplaya

NJBeer265

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-22-2013 15:52:13 | More by NJBeer265

seplo

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -17.1%

05-20-2013 23:18:39 | More by seplo

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev +2%

05-20-2013 22:17:54 | More by johntfox

randylangford

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2%

05-19-2013 19:34:39 | More by randylangford

bluestar0828

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-18-2013 21:06:25 | More by bluestar0828

CanisMajor

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-16-2013 21:29:45 | More by CanisMajor

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

05-15-2013 14:24:45 | More by touchmeimsac

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

05-13-2013 23:05:16 | More by AmandaSchaefer

Zimm

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-10-2013 11:44:51 | More by Zimm

BrianSherry

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-01-2013 20:56:52 | More by BrianSherry

scotv

New York

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-01-2013 19:55:01 | More by scotv

smutty33

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -17.1%

05-01-2013 17:30:19 | More by smutty33

Devilman

Illinois

5/5  rDev +27.6%

04-27-2013 22:43:00 | More by Devilman

Kenai4

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

04-26-2013 01:40:01 | More by Kenai4

fullmoonbeer

Ohio

3/5  rDev -23.5%

04-25-2013 22:46:30 | More by fullmoonbeer

mcgill526

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

04-23-2013 21:37:36 | More by mcgill526

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

4/5  rDev +2%

04-21-2013 16:41:24 | More by Whiskeydeez

rkf1976

Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

04-20-2013 02:56:57 | More by rkf1976

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +14.8%

04-17-2013 09:30:05 | More by Jason1337

Wiedemann

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

04-16-2013 15:12:05 | More by Wiedemann

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

04-15-2013 05:40:45 | More by Kelp

jpatton0127

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

04-14-2013 15:17:56 | More by jpatton0127

Jspriest

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -17.1%

04-13-2013 22:59:12 | More by Jspriest