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

Redwood21

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: the beer has a medium amber color to it that you can see through and isn't hazy. it also has a perfectly white head thats foamy and delicious.

S: almost vanilla ice cream in the nose so to me that's a bit unpleasant or artificial smelling.

T: the main knock is that the oak aging gives it a semi artificial vanilla taste to it, like some one dropped their ice cream into my beer. that said it is a tasty brew or i would not have dropped a four on it, i just think it tries to do too many things. i will say i think the label on the bottle is awesome looking.

this is a good beer and it does a lot of interesting things. if you want to try something different, almost a milk stout except iipa not stoudt... god times are to be had here

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2009 04:24:46 | More by Redwood21

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

leftstagebrew

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

05-13-2013 15:40:59 | More by leftstagebrew

kustard

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-13-2013 04:05:39 | More by kustard

amcaleh

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-12-2013 16:24:30 | More by amcaleh

Hallertau

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-11-2013 03:47:34 | More by Hallertau

ToddHolder

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

05-11-2013 01:38:16 | More by ToddHolder

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

05-10-2013 01:34:26 | More by Casey3236

Andrew61923

Connecticut

4.24/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 22 oz bomber into my Tree House tulip. Bottled April 8, so this is a little less than a month old.

A: What a gorgeous pour. Clear honey color with a small white head that slowly dissipates to a halo along the glass and a thin film on top. The lacing could be a bit better, but this is really inviting.

S: A big hop presence up front that is mellowed out nicely by the barrel. A really balanced aroma.

T: The taste pretty closely follows the nose. I get a lot of American hops that give way to the barrel on the back of the tongue. A tad sweet, but the higher ABV makes this not a surprise.

M: This is pretty drinkable for the ABV. It may border on syrupy a little bit too much, but it drinks really well. Carbonation is just right.

O: I really enjoyed this beer. It was a pleasure to drink and try to break down the different nuances that make it such a solid brew. I'd recommend drinking this soon if you have it.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 00:58:30 | More by Andrew61923

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a Surly Darkness chalice glass.

Appearance: Pours a deep copper golden orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. Solid two fingers of off white head that recede into a thin creamy layer. Leaves a decent amount of lacing.

Smell: A dank hoppy aroma with big hints from the barrel aging. Barrel characteristics upfront with big hints of oak and wood as well as a little vanilla. Big earthy hop aroma with lots of dank and spicy pine resin and grass. Herbal and floral hints. Also hints of citrus grapefruit, orange peel, mango, and lemon. Bready malt background with hints of biscuit, sweet caramel, grain, and yeast. Pine and oak stand out the most. A very solid smell .

Taste: Like the smell, a grassy and spicy hop driven taste with a big oak barrel profile. Big notes of oak and wood along with a little vanilla. Big taste of hops leaning to the dank and spicy side. Notes of pine resin and grass as well as some floral notes. Citrus notes of orange, grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, and mango. Solid bready malt backing with notes of biscuit, caramel, toffee, yeast, and grain. The oak notes play off well with the piney hops. A pretty good taste.

Mouthfeel: Body is on the heavier side of medium. Carbonation is moderate. Juicy and fairly oily. Drying finish. Alcohol is masked by the hops.

Overall: A very good aged IPA. The oak adds a good and interesting kick.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 06:46:00 | More by MattyG85

Cdunk11

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-04-2013 03:38:41 | More by Cdunk11

smutty33

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -2%

05-01-2013 17:31:53 | More by smutty33

waddellc2

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

04-30-2013 21:11:44 | More by waddellc2

blknikon

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%

04-30-2013 19:14:54 | More by blknikon

OUJayhawk1799

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev -2%

04-28-2013 23:49:47 | More by OUJayhawk1799