Krampus (Imperial Helles Lager) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

clayrock81

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A medium-dark brown that when served in a tulip glass had a one-finger head minor lacings. A herbal, tea-like (almost grainy, veggie like) hop burst. Not a strong smell but you can pick up lots of hops in the nose. The hops are plentiful in the mouth and lead to a fruitiness to the beer, most notably grapefruit along with hints of citricness. Medium-bodied and smooth but still contains a good, drying backbite as the hop bitterness really comes through in the end. Not sweet or anything but there are caramel and other sugary malts, more than any other malt, that push there way through while it passes the tongue. A great beer to relax with and I still don't believe it is almost 10% ABV.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2009 14:53:12 | More by clayrock81

HopEnthusiast

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very nice clean/clear dark golden orange color, very nice carbonation, very nice one-finger thick creamy off-white head, which leaves some very nice thick sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, with some hops, citrus, and some pines. The taste is very nice, malty, slight hops, very nice chewy, citrus/pine notes. Medium body, slight bitter finish. Very drinkable, this is one tasty brew,

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2009 23:31:12 | More by HopEnthusiast

Tbn2

New York

4.88/5  rDev +24.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had this one on tap at Blue Tusk in Syracuse.

Pours a clear amber/cooper body with no head present.

The smell is full of hop aromas. A big evergreen presence from the hops; almost smells like throwing a bunch of pine needles on a fire. The grains have add a good toasted smell, but are hardly noticeable with the big hop flavor.

Taste is just what you would expect from the smell. Hops have a very clean, bright, and fresh taste to them. The malts comes in a the end of the to give it a little bit of sweetness and add that roasted flavor. Only complaint: Carbonation was a little light for my taste.

This is a great one from one of my favorite NY breweries.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2008 02:28:45 | More by Tbn2

callmescraps

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Caught this at the bar, and always glad to see a Southern Tier offering.

It is a very deep amber in color. Pretty thick, but with only the slightest head. The smell was pretty confusing. There was a lot going on, and not all of it good. Definitely some spicy hops, some raisin, or sort of a candied fruit. Basically, a not-too-sweet smell, something fruity but kind of heavy. It tastes pretty much like it tastes. Definitely a spicy hop taste. It definitely turns a little sour and bitter. Honestly, I couldn't quite figure out what it was. I think raisins is a good description. It feels fine in the mouth, but not a ton of carbonation. Overall, not a super-drinkable beer because it's sort of muddled. However, it is definitely unique, and I am glad I gave it a shot. That said, there are plenty of better Southern Tier options out there.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2008 06:10:00 | More by callmescraps

erosier

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

L: Pours a clear amber color with a short and medium bodied tan colored head that laces the glass very nicely on the way down.
S: Aroma of some sweet malts and then a nice citrisy/piney/floral hop aroma.
T: Caramel malts, nice roasted barley, then a big but nice citrisy/hoppy/floral aroma. Really nice taste
M: Very crisp, fresh, refreshing, right amount of carbonation.
D: Very drinkable beer, and I didn't even notice the amount of alcohol in it. Really nice blend of the flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2008 11:53:20 | More by erosier

dsa7783

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at GingerMan in NYC...
Light-copper hue... Minimal head, minor lacing...
Smell: Nuances of slight vanilla, wheat...
Taste: Strange combination... Complex flavors... Lemons, vanilla combine to produce a very unique flavor...
Mouthfeel: Well-bodied for a beer of this stature and power...
Good drinkability... Alcohol difficult to detect despite the hefty 9% ABV...
Recommended...

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2008 01:30:50 | More by dsa7783

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

The beer pours an intense orange gold color with decent head retention and very good lacing. The nose on this beer is intriguing. I get some brown sugar and root beer, with some underlying butter. Smells quite decadent. This is a helles lager? On the palate this beer is amazing. There is so much going on, not all of which I like. Nevertheless, I'm impressed. The flavor profile consists initially of an almost DIPA pine citrus flavor, which then dove-tails into some sweet malt and some weird bitterness (not from hops). The mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, with the alcohol very, very noticeable. Drinkability is not this beers best attribute, but nevertheless, this is an impressive offering from ST. I don't like most of ST's high alcohol experimental offerings, but they got me on this one. Can't imagine drinking much of this, but the flavor and alcohol blends/wends together so well with this beer.

The hoppy bitterness completely saves the day with this beer and has made me a fan. It helps to buoy the high alcohol and the sweet malt. Not sure anyone would call this a helles lager, but I will say this. This is an excellent beer. Hopefully availability will be such that I can order this beauty again. Well done ST.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2008 22:42:05 | More by johnmichaelsen

beckje01

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Light amber color white head thin but very nice lacing.

S- Nose full of green hops just smells like I stuck my face in the vines.

T- Super hop taste but not in a bitter way. Tastes almost sweet very tasty. Easy on the pallet.

M- Great thickness feels nice and smooth.

D- Very drinkable, this beer does a great job of stepping outside of the Helles style to bring it to something else. Imperial Helles Lager fits well.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2008 06:04:50 | More by beckje01

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

4.51/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Imperial Helles, isn't that an oxymoron? In any case, Krampus appears a dark amber color with a nice cap of foam which clings to glass as the liquid interface falls. The aroma is a nice balance of caramel and lemony hops. The alcohol opens the senses. Surprisingly carbonated, almost prickly, on the palate. The malt notes (bread, biscuit, and dark fruit) are briskly swept away as the hops takes over. Resinous pine, grapefruit, old fashion bitterness and a wave of booze finish this off in a big dollop of hops. A nice brew that invites the drinker to have more. I don't know if I would call this a Helles, but it is good.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 01:09:59 | More by BeardedBoffin

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.29/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This pours a hazy, dark amber color with an average, beige head. The aroma is a mixture of sweet malts, hops, and some citrus. The taste is sweet, slightly fruity, and pleasant. There is a slight bitter finish. I agree with the people that say this is more of a Pale Ale/IPA than a Pilsner. Certainly unique, can’t say I’ve had anything quite like it.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 05:02:14 | More by Lemke10

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

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.01/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

bomber with no date into duvel

look is a deep aber brown with a rocky, khaki head. smells piney and bitter at first, with a lot of bubblegum, peppermint, and plastic coming in later. Taste is much better, grainy booze, hint of peppermint, drying grassy hops, and a lot of semi-sweet toffee malt. the flavors jive very well together. slickly bitter, slightly syrupy feel. lingering peppery bitterness.

one of the only holiday brews i've thoroughly enjoyed. ST didn't overdo the holiday spice and brought the hops, what else can i ask for?

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 07:08:51 | More by jimmah120

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass bottled on September 19, 2012. Pours a cloudy orange with a sticky two inch off white head, that clings to the glass. Smell is grapefruit, hard candy, tangerine, and plum. Taste is very similar to the noise lots grapefruit and hard candy, not complaining. Body is medium, plenty of life, a little dry, and very drinkable. Wasn't sure what to expect from this because of the style. I liked it a lot, different frommost beers this time of year.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 18:19:55 | More by SawDog505

Docer

Washington

4.23/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: (4.0)
- Nice rich copper clear brew. Frothy and fluffy head settles to a slew of velvety bubbles and lace all about the glass. Certainly pretty.

Smell: (4.5)
- This brew has some dank hops. Lots of pungent earthy and resinous hops. Light citrus hiding in there as well, but more a sappy pine and skunky hop goodness. I must like it so much because it is dry-hopped with Willamette hops. Love 'em. Subtle sweet bready malts certainly seem to be there.

Taste: (4.0)
- This is one crispy and bitter brew with a killer sweet caramel malt to balance. Zesty pine and grassy hops hit sharp up front, and then finishes out with a lot of flavors. Bready malt flavors, pine resin, and grass. All melded very well. Certainly a beer to try.

Mouth Feel: (4.0)
- This is a full bodied creamy brew with a slight stickiness to it. The mad bitterness leaves the palate dry and thirsting for more. Bit chewy, and cloying. Overall a solid meal in a bottle.

Overall: (4.0)
- This is a fantastic beer, and one of the better ones I have had from Southern Tier. It seems as though it is very well balanced, but yet is still super bitter and hop forward. I don't mind that at all. I also like that it isn't some spiced up charred coffee table in a bottle. Kudos. Though I wouldn't mind if this beer was not an imperial.. I think it would be really killer being brought down to its standard self.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 02:01:22 | More by Docer

superspak

Michigan

4.23/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into pilsener glass, bottled on 9/19/2012. Pours lightly hazy copper amber color with a nice 2 finger dense off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass; with a good amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big caramel, toast, pine, citrus rind, toffee, biscuit, floral, grass, and piney spiciness. Damn nice aromas with good balance, strength, and complexity. Taste of caramel, toast, pine, toffee, biscuit, citrus rind, floral, grass, nuttiness, and piney spiciness. Good amount of pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, toast, biscuit, toffee, pine, nuttiness, floral, citrus rind, and piney spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Great malt/hop flavor balance and complexity; with a solid sweetness/bitterness balance as well; minimal cloying flavors present on the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy, sticky, and crisp mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish; this is dangerously drinkable. Overall this is a highly excellent Imperial Helles style! Great malt and hop flavor balance and robustness; very smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 07:36:46 | More by superspak

ianjsullivan

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

ST: 22oz bomber poured into a snifter.

A: An interesting amber that when held up to the light takes on a bright orange hue. Spotty lacing all the way around the glass from a thin head that quickly settles to a mere mist on top. A few quick swirls brings back the head.

S: Strong citrus, grapefruit, and bubblegum that ( I guess) come from the Willamette hops. A slight bit of caramel is in the background. There is a slightly green or metallic aroma that is hard to place, but the aroma may just be the alcohol.

T: Bubblegum and citrus with slight burnt caramel is overpowered by a sharp, bitter, spicy, pine and grapefruit finish that does not go away. The hops are the star of this show.

M: Medium and very dry.

O: Lots of hop flavor dominates this beer and gives it a Krampus bite. The malt is lost quickly in the never ending hop finish. In fact, the beer could use a bit more balance even if it is labeled an imperial.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 19:08:10 | More by ianjsullivan

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz. bottle. Bottle reads "DOB 09/11/2012" so this beer is about 3 and a half months old chillin the bottle waiting for me to buy it and drink it.

A - Pours a clear copper honey looking color. Doesn't look like much action so far.

S - Smells like your typical boring lager. There is maybe the vaguest hint of unrecognizable spice buried in there, but for the most part this is a bland senseless experience.

T - The faint hint of spice gives this beer some character, but that is all this brew has going for it. Doesn't exactly taste like it's advertised 9% abv, but then again, it doesn't really taste like much of anything.

M - Murky, sticky mouthfeel. Not pleasant, but this is by no means a bad beer. It is surely a well-made lager.

Overall, Southern Tier isn't a bad brewery, but their beers seem to lean toward mediocre, although I do remember enjoying the Southern Tier 2X Stout quite a bit. I would drink it again if it was offered to me, but I won't go out of my way to try this one again. The homage it pays to the holiday character of the Krampus is probably the best part of the gimmick this brew has going on.

Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 02:08:32 | More by mfnmbvp

NuclearSoAndSo

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a beer mug. Born on date reveals it to be a little over a year old, but I figured it would be alright since it's 9% abv.

Appearance- Pours to about a 3 finger off-white head; dark caramel color.

Smell- Lightly citrus and hoppy; vaguely fruity, and you can pick up on the alcohol a bit.

Taste- Hoppy with a distinct flavor I can't quite put my finger on. It's interesting for sure; floral.

Mouthfeel- Very smooth with light carbonation. Still a sipper though, I would say.

Overall- I really liked this. It was a nice beer for Christmas Eve, and I would buy it again. Again, there's a flavor here I can't really seem to describe, but it's different and I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 14:38:46 | More by NuclearSoAndSo

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Deep amber colored body with a sticky beige head. A little darker than most helles with a ton of good lacing.

S- Biscuity malts, caramel malt, piney hops, lager yeast, some fruity aromas.

T- Sweet malt dominates the flavor with a nice bitter hop flavor in the back, along with some fruity flavors. Dried fruit comes in at the end along with a bitter hop finish.

M- Medium-full bodied with medium carbonation. A slight crisp bite at the end.

O- A pretty unique offering, especially for the holidays. Good mix of traditional lager flavors, with a great hop punch and well hidden abv.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 02:02:23 | More by stephenjmoore

Geegmasta

3.4/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance- The body is a deep amber color with a white head that remains for quite awhile. The head is bubbly and about 0.5'' thick.

Smell- Hoppy with coriander and grassy. Has a slight fruity undertone.

Taste- A mild hop taste but semi-sweet then you get bombarded with a nice citrus/orange aftertaste with a slight bit of oregano. No hint of the 9% ABV.

Mouthfeel- Light bodied with little carbonation. No real effects other than a standard liquid in your mouth.

Overall- Not a bad beer, I really thought I wasn't going to enjoy it from the smell but it turned out to taste much better than it smelled. It's just not a good beer though. I feel like nothing really blends well with this and is a bit bland in the beginning of the taste. I am likely not to buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 05:09:26 | More by Geegmasta

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber poured into a Kasteel chalice glass.

Appearance- An orangish color with a quarter inch of whispy white head that dissipates into a light layer on the surface. Some very very slight lacing.

Smell- At first a piney hops then a srtong bready malt aroma.

Taste- Wowza, what a malt bomb. Bread malts, biscuits,grains, and corn with a slight piney hop finish. Also, a slight roasy quality on the finish.

Mouthfeel- Thick mouthfeel. Almost like eating fresh bread. A meal in a bottle for sure. This is like doppelbock style.

Overall- Great beer that would be nice on a cold night with a slice of warm buttery bread. This sets the standard for lagers.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 03:40:29 | More by BrownAleMale

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a flute glass.

Appearance: Not gold like most lagers, brownish gold with an off-white head and pretty damn thick coming off almost a full inch off the body.

Smell: Light hops, little more potent than your regular lager but nothing impressing.

Taste: Lightly bitter, roasted hops are pretty evident. The strength of hops and a lighter malt feel are way what is this brew boasts of.

Mouth: A crisp toasted bread feel that comes off dry but effectively compliments the after-taste. Smooth with medium carbonation that feels heavy at first gulp.

Overall: This in the end is a Vienna lager on roids, hearty and ridiculously full of flavor. It's not one of those complex brews because it comes at you straight forward. It is what is is really good beer. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 06:55:56 | More by BlurryVisi0n

tlazaroff

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very piney and citrusy on the nose. Not at all what I was expecting from a Helles, but then again, this is Southern Tier. No grain at all, but a sweet almost syrup characteristic on the tail end of the aroma.

Beautiful honey-like gradient, white head, clear liquor, and nice lacing.

Krampus has a deep, sweet caramel, honey, and molasses-like character to it. It's bitter, but only enough to take some of that sweetness away. This beer is pretty sweet having said that. It's almost cloyingly sweet. It is beyond full-bodied, it's sticky, smooth, has low carbonation, and dangerously easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 19:35:56 | More by tlazaroff

BrownNut

Florida

3.86/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - 4.5 - Nice orange amber. Great, textured, cream-colored head. I want this kind of head on every beer. Very active carbonation.

S - 4.0 - Floral, sweet. I wouldn't have been able to isolate citrus but someone else mentioned it and I can see that. The aroma is so rich that I wanted to call it something else.

T - 3.75 - Bready malt, caramel, leaving behind a mild bitterness in the aftertaste.

M - 4.0 - Medium body, nicely smooth

O - 3.75 - Here's a lager with some welcome substance. Reminds me a bit of a DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 01:38:28 | More by BrownNut

vfgccp

New York

4.48/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Stellar appearance. Deep, dark golden bronze body. Crazy lace and retention on a bone white head.

S - Dusty floral hop. Earthy barn notes.

T - Smooth, creamy toffee ramps into a wet hay and horse blanket hop. Residual bitters balance a earthy caramel finish. Exceptional malt character.

M - Incredibly smooth with a well balanced full body.

O - A brilliant beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 01:28:24 | More by vfgccp