A tasty newcomer with a questionable sense of geography
Over the weekend I enjoyed a six pack of Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale from Lakewood, N.Y. I am told it has been in town about one year. I found it at the Wine Source for $8.50 a six pack. The distributor is Legends.
Pale golden in color, with a creamy head, it had pleasant malty body with zing Cascade hop finish. At 5.6 ABV, it is very drinkable. It is brewed by Matt Robbin and Phineas DeMink at Southern Tier Brewing Company in New York.
This is my first encounter with this brewery, and I am impressed.
The web tells me the beer has won several honors, including best ESB in the MidAtlantic (go figure) at the United States Beer Tasting Championships in Manchester, N.H. The judges may not know their geography-- New York is Mid-Atlantic?-- but they know their brews.
Anybody else taste this one?
Anyone had any other Southern Tier beers?
Comments
This is one of my favorite "session" beers available these days. Delicate and fairly complex without being overly hopped, its really a joy to drink.
Southern Tier also does some other good beers. Their IPA is excellent. Their Jah-Va coffee stout just came out in 22 oz bottles and is very nice (I had one for St. Patty's day). Others include Gemini, a blend o their unfiltered "imperial pale ale" and their Double IPA. So far I like everything they do, even the raspberry porter, which I was prepared to hate.
Posted by: Dave Gadsby | March 18, 2008 5:10 PM
Bought a sixer of the IPA this week. I don't know the specific hops they use, but they taste rather unique in the mix.
Posted by: Mike | March 19, 2008 9:25 AM
I agree with dave, their IPA is excellent. I have heard many people rave about the Gemini, but I dont think I ever tried it. I feel their high octane brews have a better taste than other high abv brews, you get more taste rather than alcohol. Overall, southern tier does a great job.
Posted by: Jason | March 19, 2008 11:41 AM
Well, for a contrary opinion...I've had, I think 3 of their beers, including the extraordinary ale. Another was, if I remember correctly, a porter. The third I think was the Old Man Winter Ale. All 3 of them I found to be too bitter.
However, the fact that you found this beer makes me hopeful that there is a local supply of Ithaca beer, one of my favorites, particularly the Nut Brown Ale. Cheers!
Posted by: Andrew C | March 20, 2008 12:37 PM
I cried when I tasted "Choklat". It was that good.
Posted by: LiquorBoarding | March 23, 2008 9:07 AM
Southern Tier is one of my favorite breweries. I believe that Phin and Matt's has been around a little longer than a year, but I live in western NY, and use to manage a beer store, so it may have been more readily available for me.
My opinion, Phin & Matt's is the best brew they have. My tastes usually vary through the seasons, but this is one I enjoy all year. If you like this beer, also try Hop Sun.
Posted by: Bob Pease | May 27, 2008 5:30 PM