Southern Tier Pumking

Though it's brewery is only 80 minutes away from the house of beer (blog), Southern Tier has not become one of our top breweries to try. Unearthy was delicious but the oaked aged version tasted like a tree with hops somewhere in the middle. Since it is now October, we have decided to get more festive than a Governor Mark Sanford hiking trip. We are infected with the fall spirit like it were crabs. It may itch a little but we decided to give Southern Tier Pumking a try.

With a basic amber color, it is Pumpking's smell that foreshadows what lies ahead. If you ever wondered what beer pumpkin pie would taste like, this would answer it. The essence of this brew is far more present than other, watered down versions of this style. It has more body than Jessy Ventura. The 9% ABV is not completely hidden but balanced as part of this complete breakfast.

This brew is great for what it is, a spiced fall seasonal. It conveniently comes in a 22 oz bomber, as a six pack would be too much of it. At the end of the glass, it became a little too sweet for our liking. This being said, two bombers a year (and possibly one to cellar for nostalgia) would be sufficient for our needs. It holds its place as one of the best pumpkin beers we have tried, but still less superior to Dogfish Head and Weyerbacher's versions. It may have been the first sip, but we we got punk'ed.

Oz Scale: 7.2
Mike Scale: 7.3

Double Dogfish Head: Sah'tea & Theobroma

Dogfish Head takes more risks than having unprotected sex with fifty partners. Their beers, though not alway good (see Golden Elixir post,) are at least interesting and stampworthy. The company keeps pushing the boundaries of what a beer can be. Recreating ancient recipes, creating multiple ales that are 18% ABV and crafting a brew with ingredients from every continent are just some of the interesting things this brewery is doing. We know that it might seem that we review them a little more than the rest, so our last review of Dogfish Head this year is a double one: Sah'tea & Theobroma.

First released this May, Sah'tea is a "modern update on a 9th century Finnish proto-beer." It smells and looks just like a Belgian ale. Though it does have a decent amount of body and mouth feel to it, it is still easily drinkable (even at 9% ABV.) Cinnamon, clove and ginger spice up the palette and makes us miss Great Lakes Christmas Ale. This brew would best be drank on a cold winter day with a couple of good friends... or on a Monday night in September as you watch your roommate play Call of Duty 4 for hours on end. That kid is addicted, seriously.

Oz Scale: 9.0
Mike Scale: 8.9

First brewed in 2008 (our bottle dated 2009) is Theobroma. Per DFH Website: "This beer is based on chemical analysis of pottery fragments found in Honduras which revealed the earliest known alcoholic chocolate drink used by early civilizations to toast special occasions." It pours an almost amber color with a sweet smell. With all the hype about chocolate flavor, this beer has very little if any at all. A slight chili taste on the back brings together a sweet, almost nutty taste. High drinkability or as Oz puts it- "I'd pound a six-er of this. You know, just drink this to get drunk and forget feelings. Our UAV is online!" I'm sure you would get there with its high, 9% ABV. There is a lot here- but nothing seems to stand out.

Oz Scale: 6.0
Mike Scale: 6.3