Southern Tier Porter (6/10)

Southern Tier Brewing Company is located in Lakewood, New York.  They produce a large number of brews, some of which are seasonal and limited, and others like this Porter which they make available year-round.

The label describes it as a “Dark, Robust Porter”.  The beer lives up to that moniker very well.  At first sip, it’s much more like a stout than a porter – and a very dark stout at that.  There is a grainy, coffee bitterness to the flavor that lingers afterward.  Hops bitterness is here, too, but it’s balanced well against the rest of the beer.  There is a thick, milky carbonation to the beer as well.

I like this beer, but I don’t love it.  It’s not one I can imagine myself going out and buying by the six-pack, even though I generally like porters.

The RateBeer site gives it an 89 overall and an 84 for the style.  Beer Advocate rates it about the same, with the site’s reviewers giving it an 83 (or “good”) and The Bros rating it at 85.

Southern Tier products can be found at a number of Columbus retailers, including Kenny Road Market, The Andersons General Store, and Whole Foods Market.

ABV: 5.8%
IBU: 27
My rating: 6/10