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

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bomber into my hardywood park chalice. bottled on date: 03/01/2012.

A: crystal clear dark amber colored brew. head is a dark off-white color and foamy. retention is more of a rim and the lacing isnt much more impressive.

S: initial notes of oak, vanilla, and alcohol. a quick sniff after the pour showcases some tropical fruit hop aromas as well. just as detectable is the malt sweetness as it combines with the oak to provide a very inviting nose.

T: wow, right off the bat you can really taste the oaky flavors. vanilla is definitely in there from the wood. the bitterness from the Unearthly is on the palate throughout w/ the maltiness/body giving enough backbone to stand up to the powerful oak flavors.

M: mouth is mild to average carbonation on a full bodied beer.

D: interesting take on their double ipa that is oh-so-good. it certainly works fine, but i must say that i am more of a fan of the un-oak aged unearthly. or even more of a fan of their blended gemini. both worth seeking over this example in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 02:26:29 | More by Jimmys

outoffocus

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-24-2013 00:57:09 | More by outoffocus

ncstateplaya

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

05-22-2013 18:57:58 | More by ncstateplaya

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

05-22-2013 16:20:10 | More by InspectorBob

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-22-2013 06:03:20 | More by hollywood_15063

leodarko

California

4/5  rDev -2%

05-21-2013 18:12:30 | More by leodarko

stealth

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-21-2013 05:17:40 | More by stealth

seplo

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -2%

05-20-2013 23:16:56 | More by seplo

Lledd

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-20-2013 04:55:23 | More by Lledd

cwd

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-19-2013 14:53:58 | More by cwd

greg4579

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-19-2013 12:16:21 | More by greg4579

tobelerone

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

05-18-2013 23:19:43 | More by tobelerone

andruke

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2%

05-18-2013 23:14:42 | More by andruke

bluestar0828

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

05-18-2013 21:06:44 | More by bluestar0828

hinemk76

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-18-2013 03:42:52 | More by hinemk76

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle during finals week to take the edge off.

A: An amazing crystalline golden orange color, pours with a small head. Enticing lacing as the head fizzes away. Looks incredible, world class.

S: Not very hoppy, but full of citrus fruit notes and caramel.

T: Totally off guard. Very sweet caramel flavors with a monstrous oak bite. Citrus flavor stays in the back with mild bitterness and slight alcohol flavors come in last. Was expecting some of the hop flavor to fade due to the aging, but not this much. However, that doesn't mean it's bad, it is actually very tasty, but not the hop bomb one may be looking for.

M- Very sticky, velvety, full bodied, definite sipper.

O: Took me by surprise. Was expecting it to be OK for 6.99, but turned out great. Will definitely be buying one again in the future, but there are other beers to tackle first.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:37:10 | More by Trifecta1

teromous

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: It pours a light brown color with an orange hue, and transparent. The head is very thick, eggshell-white, and leaves good lacing on the glass.

S: Clean hop smell with a little bit of pine and some tangerine scent. It smells very nice like fresh fruit.

T: The oak hits first, then some malty flavor. There is some hop to the taste but not very much! After drinking, more of the oak character comes out. There's some bitterness along with a woody flavor. I appreciate how the alcohol flavor is burried in this beer. Aging worked well in that respect. (re-reviewing had the same tasting notes)

M: The mouthfeel is medium bodied and mellow. No alcohol burn and the hop bitterness is very tame. Easy to drink.

O: This is a re-review. The beer looks and smells much better than it used to, but it is still relatively tame on flavor and bitterness. It's a good beer but it needs more punch. It's still an enjoyable beer to drink, and that's the most important thing.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 01:29:29 | More by teromous

basickness

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-18-2013 00:40:05 | More by basickness

russwilliam

New York

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

05-17-2013 05:32:49 | More by russwilliam

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a clear copper color, with a white foam and some lacing. More than a little lacing, leaves a whole sheet of lace. Smells of grapefruit and tropical hops. Tastes like grapefruit and a small dry oak. Piney, resinous bitterness. Full bodied, well carbonated, fairly dry from the oak. Citrusy, oaky, boozy, what you would expect. A seasoned beer for seasoned beer drinker. I like this beer, and if you like IPAs you will like this too.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 22:24:19 | More by Stinkypuss

Thickfreakness

New York

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-15-2013 03:08:08 | More by Thickfreakness

Drucifer

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-14-2013 13:47:11 | More by Drucifer

imyourhero21

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-14-2013 05:37:46 | More by imyourhero21

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -2%

05-13-2013 22:35:03 | More by mikeincharleston

vrbulldog22

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-13-2013 18:56:51 | More by vrbulldog22