Southern Tier Back Burner

Brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Lakewood, New York USA

Dark copper color in my snifter. Thin soft white head. Aroma is filled with caramel hints of deep red flowers, butterscotch and orange. Surprisingly light on the tongue. Sweet caramel with a nice malty background. Only hoppy enough to tell you that it has hops. The alcohol is present, but not overwhelming. Tastes like a beer meant to go with a rich meal.

22oz bomber, no date from markwise--thanks! Pours a clear copper auburn with a one finger beige head, fair retention. Old pine hops up front with some cereal grain and scorched toffee, alcohol behind with some fruity raisins and sweet cherries (no cherry tang noted). The flavor was more grainy with the toffee following. Didn’t seem as fruity, either. The alcohol still showed, though didn’t seem 10%--seems a little underattenuated and thick. Bitterness peaked at a 3, and added some light roast and dark chocolate notes. Thick full body with light to moderate carbonation. Maybe this beer should be consumed fresh, but I still don’t think I’d love it.

Moderately strong and extremely hoppy aroma of grapefruit, honeycomb, and pineapple.Clear mahogany color, medium tan head, some lacing. Full body, not syrupy, alcohol present but tasteful. Strong initial flavor of rose hips, honeycomb, and triple sec,. A bit of oak at midpalate, ending in horehound. Great balance and transitions. Easy drinking and intense at the same time. I don’t know how the hell they do it. Masterfully done!

22 oz bomber, 2008. Ooh, this beer smells quite nice. Big, bold, rich, and malty, but well balanced at the same time. Notes (in no particular order), cocoa powder, oats, vanilla beans, fruity cherry and strawberry, light booze, earthy hops, mild citrus, and nutty caramel. Pour was also appealing with medium thick pale cream head, medium opaque body, and red wood in color. It really doesn’t disappoint the whole way through as it tastes nearly as good as it smells and looks. A full, creamy, and highly drinkable body that still has the right amount of kick like a well made barley wine should. The flavor notes may not be quite as complex as the aroma, but still have lots of character. Rich, yet fruity malts are strong, but backed nicely with earthy and mild citrus hops. At the same time, the nutty hazelnut, coffee bean, roasted dark grains, and mixed fruit add some additional notes to think about. This beer was truly a pleasure to drink from start to finish. It really fits how I picture a good, standard barley wine to be. Very impressed.

Bottle from Binnys. Pours dirty burnt orange/brown with minimal head. Nose is strong rich caramel malt and sweet fruit. Taste is strong and full, lots of barley and malt, caramel, apricots, candy, and overall sweet with a mild alcohol burn. Not bad at all, very filling.

Poured from big bottle. Wild aroma - butterscotch, apple and booze.. Copper color, tan head. Dry barley, toffee, vegetable flavor with alcohol in back. Earthy and slightly sour aftertaste. Slightly sticky feel. Alcohol doesn’t deter from flavor. Lacing. Mellows nicely. Not my favorite style, but quality stuff.

WOW! Damn good beer. ST never dissapoints me, no matter what they put out. Colour is a beautiful ruby red-slight mahogay colour. Sweet, big ass vanilla coloured head. Aroma is enticing with its caramel, carrot cake, cinnamon and berry scent. All sorts of flavours. a little hotness initially, but its expected at 10%. Even a little biscuity near the finish. Apples and a little ginger. Another winner from Southern Tier.

tasting sample on 11/5/09... dark red pour into a snifter... big malt nose, light hops... medium body with apple, raisins and a sweet malt forward finish. nice barleywine... would like to try a full glass of this and revisit.