IPA (India Pale Ale) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

shamus

Ontario (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had the Southern tier Chocolat Imperial thing at Canadian Thanksgiving and it was excellent so i had high hops for this. it looks promising and has a lovely grassy hops and soft pine scent, but it's downfall is that it tastes like candy; butterscotch candy that melts in your mouth. Now some people might love that but I don't. it's cloying and not something i want in an IPA. Oh well I guess it will do for tonight, but not again.

Serving type: can

10-16-2010 00:18:17 | More by shamus

ipacac

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Extremely easy to drink. Perfect balance, clean taste, no heaviness. Poured from a bottle into a tall glass -- medium head, nice, light amber appearance, not too fizzy. No distinctive aroma. The bitterness is just right, refreshing and stimulating. It's just lacking some heft or intensity -- the aftertaste is a bit watery .

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 17:51:27 | More by ipacac

BeerYoss

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bottle to goblet

A: clear, light orange/copper. very little head, retreats quickly to edge the glass and slight lacing.

S: almost no smell. very faint citrus and pine

T: moderate hit of piney hops accompanied by a fizzy carbonation. not followed by much of anything except lingering bitterness and more pine. the alcohol is right there in your throat at the end.

M: quite a lot of carbonation, low - medium body. goes down smooth and the lingering feel in your mouth is good

O: I prefer a bit more complexity, taste and balance but it packs a good hit of decent tasting hops. not my favorite but drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 01:24:32 | More by BeerYoss

Zanico

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer has a nice one finger amber color head. Although it didn't hang around long. It did leave some nice lacing though.

I was a little disappointed with the smell. There wasn't much to speak of. Was expecting a nice hoppy, IPA type smell but nothing much at all.

Despite the lack of smell it has a very good flavor. Some bitterness but no overpowering.

This is a very good IPA, not the best I've ever had but very good none the less.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 23:57:25 | More by Zanico

Kremlock

Ontario (Canada)

3.79/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Light orange/copper in colour. Very clear with active carbonation. Frothy white head with good retention.

S: Oranges, hint of ginger, biscuit, grain

T: Follow the nose with a hint of alcohol detectable.

M: Good carbonation, low - med body.

O: A good ipa but for the alcohol level I find that the malt/hop flavours are lacking. Need more backbone to hold it up.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 19:44:15 | More by Kremlock

dar482

New York

4.26/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The color is a light amber.

The aroma has a nice juicy grapefruit and pine.

The taste has a bitter punch of grapefruit, some Simcoe pineyness, and bitterness, but then a good malt finish and backbone with sweet caramel. It's quite malty for an IPA. It's nothing mindblowing, but I think actually better than Racer 5 and Green Flash, which many would not say.

Check it out, this is a bit underrated.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2013 02:01:13 | More by dar482

patre_tim

China

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Amber, slight cloud, medium carbonation, 1 finger slight yellow head.

S: Malts, caramel, British hops, cereal malts, candied orange peel.

T: Follow the nose- Malts, caramel, british hops, cereal malts, candied orange peel.

M: Medium slight syrupy body, medium low medium carbonation.

O: Delicous and Christmas like in my opinion, yet with British style moreso than many American IPAs, also my opinion. Really enjoying this one!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 03:06:10 | More by patre_tim

merc7186

New York

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Gene McCarthys in Buffalo NY, poured into my members mug.

A: Golden Straw/Amber Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head Ring, Some Lacing

S: Crackers, Bittering Hops, Mildly Malty

T: Bittering Hops, Crackers, Malty

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Bitter, Mildly Drying

Overall, a pretty nice IPA although a little heavy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2013 02:03:54 | More by merc7186

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 1/23/2013. Pours slightly hazy golden amber color with a 1-2 finger dense off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of orange zest, grapefruit, tangerine, floral, pine, orange rind, light honey, light caramel, and floral earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of hop notes with a moderate malt balance; and good strength. Taste of orange zest, grapefruit, tangerine, floral, pine, orange rind, light caramel, light bread, and floral earthiness. Good amount of pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, citrus zest, floral, pine, light caramel, light bread, and floral earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice balance and complexity of hop flavors with a moderate malt balance; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a sticky and fairly crisp mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with pretty much zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice IPA! Very nice balance and complexity of hop flavors; and very smooth to drink. No complaints at all, very well done.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 04:14:16 | More by superspak

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.06/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Golden color with thick white head in DFH IPA glass.

Smell grapefruit and pine with hints of malt.

Taste is well balanced with lots of nice pine notes and malt. Lots of bitterness lingers on the palate.

Overall this is an excellent IPA. I would describe this as more of a DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 23:10:32 | More by TrappistJohnMD

JaredM

New York

4.48/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: An apple cider like appearance with about one finger of an eggshell colored head.

S: Nice earthy/piney hop aroma followed up by citrus (grapefruit).

T: Piney hop taste and bitterness right away (bitterness lingers). Citrus flavors round out the end which gives it a nice finish. I can taste a bit of the alcohol at the end. This has a great flavor.

M: Light to medium feel. Just right.

O: Awesome beer. This has been one of my favorite IPAs (and not because this is brewed a few hours away from me) that I've had. I love the East Coast style of IPA which seems to focus more on the earthy piney hop flavors than on the citrus.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 21:48:12 | More by JaredM

fx20736

New York

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from a 12 oz bottle into a glass served at fridge temp.

clear apple juice with a 1 finger natural white had that recedes

aroma; a juicy combination of pineapple, papaya and lychee, with some resinous pine mixed in.

mouthfeel is soft.

taste: thick pale malt with grapefruit and pine bitterness, some of the other tropical fruits make an appearance on the finish.

notes: pretty nondescript looking and tastes like lots of other IPAs but is enjoyable, nails the style, tastes good and is affordable. The fact that it is brewed here in Western NY is a plus. I wouldn't go out of my way for this one, necessarily but wouldn't turn one down either.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 00:26:59 | More by fx20736

Adeeez

New York

4.66/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Surprised this one does not rank better, the Chinook Hops are ridiculous !!! Very nice, great odor !! Love the piney light finish, could drink this one all day. Great in a glass nice head, one of our " everyday " drinking type of IPA's, like its brother the 2x ipa this is a wonderful representation of a particular take on a IPA. Very nice!!

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 20:00:14 | More by Adeeez

CloudStrife

New York

4.11/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a tulip.

A: Pours a clear golden amber with a 1.5 finger white head. A little rocky it dissipates over the course of a few minutes leaving a good coating of lacing on the glass. Average amount of visible carbonation.

S: Good hop aroma going on here. A sweet fruitiness that has a citrusy overtone. Also a decent earthy and floral hop too. Malts come out more as it warms but add sweetness to the hop.

T: As anticipated this is hop-forward that is similar to the aroma. A blend of earthy hops and grapefruit citrus with a sweet malt backbone. Lingering hoppiness. Booze is pretty well hidden.

M: Medium bodied with average carbonation. Isnt too sticky for an IPA yet has a good nectar like mouthfeel. Has a dry finish from all the hop. Certainly not a hot beer yet warms the stomach.

Overall a beer I have enjoyed time and time again. Very happy it is so readily accessible to me. Would recommend to any hophead.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 23:44:31 | More by CloudStrife

dougfur

New York

4.04/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Clearly this isn't a hop-loaded DIPA, but when I'm in the mood for beer that is tasty, with some real hop flavor, and that doesn't cost a lot of money, this is hard to beat. Kudos to the brewery for getting in the flavor, without using a lot of hops (and therefore driving up the price).

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 17:19:36 | More by dougfur

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle. Bottled on date reads 06/16/2011 so this brew is old as hell. Poured into a Boulevard tulip glass.

A - Standard honey amber orange IPA appearance. Slightly cloudy. No real head to speak of aside from some white fizz that settled into nothing within about a minute.

S - Hoppy iced tea smell. Light spice and dry malts are also in there. Not a whole lot of action happening here, but smells tasty nonetheless.

T - Again, a hoppy slightly bitter iced tea kind of taste caused by whatever breed of hop it is. On the sweeter side than most IPA's are. Reminds me somewhat of the Redhook Long Hammer IPA. A good tasting beer, and well-balanced.

M - No real bitterness lingers around, but the mouth feel is sticky. Still a smooth clean brew though. Highly enjoyable. No real noticeable carbonation at all, most likely because this beer is stale as hell, but either way it is still a good beer.

Overall, I would have it again but there are no real major distinctions to set this one apart from the rest of the pack, and I would personally opt for a more bitter tasting beer myself. Definitely going to have to try a fresh bottle and note the difference.

Southern Tier IPA ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 00:10:42 | More by mfnmbvp

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

3.99/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz brown bottle with Southern Tier style green label. Poured into a standard 12 oz beer mug.

A - Light copper color with some bright golden Hues. Crystal clear clarity. And i mean 100% spotless clarity. off white head that appeared to be a thin fluffy head that possessed a little bit of stick.

S - American fresh hop aroma. Cedar, pine, and hints of citrus in the aroma. Pretty resinous character.

T - Toasty bread flavor with a sweet blast of honey. A real semi toasted malt. Followed by a hop profile of Pine and lemon. Flavor has some resin to it with a toasted grain like malt backdrop. Hop bitterness is fairly bold.

M - pretty easy going ipa given the hop character it has. I found it enjoyable and down right easy to drink. Its not overly thick, but does a nice job of somewhat coating the palate. One of the most sessionable ipa's I've ever had.

O - a good ipa and flagship brew from Southern Tier. It has some class to it for sure. This ipa could benefit from a bit harsher malt character for sure. More malt would create a better balance of the hops, but hey this is a beer any hop head would appreciate. Southern Tier is a great brewery and this American ipa is very good all around. Not a whole lot of craziness to it. Just a blue collar, handcrafted ipa any geek would enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 21:03:03 | More by BradtheGreat7

Hoppsbabo

United Kingdom (England)

4.06/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Dark gold with a big white head. Good head.

S: Soft maltiness. Lemon, tiny bit of pine.

T: A detergent-like pine needley flavour with strong green tea leaves, which caught my attention on the first sip. Maybe some grapefruit. Light and watery and not particularly effervescent, which I like a lot. Balanced.

O: By far my favourite of the small selection of American pale ales I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 08:45:13 | More by Hoppsbabo

beerme626

Kentucky

3.96/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from Marrika's in Lexington

A: Deep wheat color, with a nice eggshell white finger head.

S: Hops and pine come through strong.

T: Full, rich hops and pine. Little else, but what's there is powerful and delicious.

M: A little sticky, but carbonated well. Delicious, if not overwhelming.

O: A decent beer, but nothing too spectacular. And Southern tier has far superior beers to this.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 01:31:25 | More by beerme626

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Clear gold with lots of bubbles and one-finger, white, foamy, creamy head that lasted a long time and left a fantastic film. Great lacing.

S: Citrus, pine, and caramel malt.

T: Light to moderate sweetness and solid hop bitterness. Light citrus and pine. Toasted malt in the finish.

M: Light to medium bodied with fizzy carbonation. Kind of thin and watery.

O: This beer is similar to Sounthern Tier's Double IPA. This one looks nicer but has a thinner mouthfeel. Overall, solid IPA, but given that its ABV is so close the Double IPA, I'd rather drink that one.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 19:17:56 | More by SolipsismalCat

IronLover

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on October 22, 2012. Amber yellow in color with perfect clarity. Poured with a short white foam that reduced to a wispy cap that left sticky lacings on the glass. Grainy sweet malt, biscuit and honey aromas with spicy herbal and light pine hops. Thick chewy feel with smooth oily body through the middle and a tangy bitter bite at the end. Herbal and light spicy hop bitterness up front that sweetens in the middle and transitions to crisp, dry, bitter pine hops at the finish. Solid biscuity and sweet caramel backbone throughout. A solid, readily available, good value IPA. Southern Tier strikes again.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 00:15:21 | More by IronLover

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a bit of a vegetative ipa, fleshy and bold. the pours is clear, a little copper hue to it, but mostly pale gold. small white head on top with good lacing left behind. the nose is that of fresh hops, some pine, but a lot of green vegetable stuff, meaty in that way, from the garden. a little bitter. but not brutal at all. the flavor is actually a bit more balanced than the smell lets on, stays bitter in the end, but has a nice fruity punch to it, which makes it a little sweet, but it works well with the hop dose. overcarbonated i think, really bubbly and hard to drink quickly as a result, but this is a great ipa overall, kind of a little brother to the 2xipa they do, same hop profile. good drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 15:49:26 | More by StonedTrippin

gobseulmuhri

New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

was a on a wine stretch for a bit and wanted a change of pace. of course i come back to beer. and lately for me, beer = ipa, and nothing else comes close, really....

DOB on bottle says 10/2/12, so I can count on the fact that it's decently fresh. Not ideal, but good enough.

Poured from a bottle into a BK brewery snifter. Poured a beautiful copper gold with a nice 1.5'' head. Decent retention, beautiful lacing.

On the nose, the aroma is mild. Grassy hops with a sufficient pinch of grapefruit/orange citrus. There's a good backing of malt - a 40/60 balance between hop/malt. I wish I drank this fresher maybe?

Taste reflects the nose. IMO, it's pretty balanced, leaning ever slightly toward the malty end. THere's a bit of hop resin in the end. It's beautifully crisp, refreshing, but still pleasantly bitter. Someone said in an earlier review that this is a pretty sessionable IPA, and I have to agree.

Mouthfeel is again balanced but on the crisp side. There's also some malt creaminess all ending with a resinous hop bitterness. Not the best, but plenty enjoyable nonetheless.

This isn't the best IPA out there, but for the price point and for a casual beer session, this foots the bill very nicely.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 03:36:52 | More by gobseulmuhri

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.73/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

355ml bottle form 'Beers of Europe' and poured into a Corsendonk badged stemmed tulip glass @ home on 2 Nov 2012 during a 'random beer tasting evening'.

The beer is a good golden looking brew with a full off-white/white head of large bubbles.

The nose and taste is a pleasant hop blend of bitterness and floral notes which combine together very well. Although hoppier than most IPA's we get in the UK this one wasn't 'in your face' and stupidly over hopped.

Easy drinking IPA I'd happily have again.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 12:50:35 | More by BlackHaddock

Thedaver4220

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. Bottle pourd into pint glass

Southern Tier IPA pour a clear golden with about a finger of creamy off-white head. Not much of nose on this one. It smells kinda bready with a touch of hops. The taste and mouthfeel is the saving grace of this beer. It is well balanced with a medium body. It drinks super easy, and I can't believe it was 7.3% abv!! All in all it's a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 05:15:50 | More by Thedaver4220