It is getting cooler out and we are headed towards winter, so there is nothing better as it gets cooler than a nice dark beer. Tonight I am enjoying a nice Milk Stout, cannot get any darker than that. I really enjoy a nice Milk Stout because of their sweet note that may balance out any bitter notes in the Stout. I am trying a beer from Southern Tier Brewing Company. Southern Tier Brewing Company is part of Artisanal Brewing Ventures as well as Victory Brewing. The two are part of a new way of combating the reach of Macro Breweries. Collaboration and sharing of resources to compete with the big guys.
Southern Tier Brewing Company is located in Lakewood, New York. They were established in 2002, and by 2005 were distributing throughout New York and Pennsylvania. Southern Tier Brewing Company is focused on providing delicious, accessible, and unique products. They aim to change the way people drink beer. Southern Tier is trying to provide their customers with consistently fresh, clean, American craft ales and lagers that stand out on their own. In the logo, you should notice the brewers star, there are six crucial parts to the star. They are as followed: water, hops, grain, malt, yeast, and brewer. These are the six parts to the brewers star, Southern Tier believes on the maintaining the highest quality for all six parts will produce world class beers.
2X Presso Double Milk Stout by Southern Tier Brewing Company
The beer I am trying tonight is Southern Tier 2X Presso. 2x Presso is a Double Milk Stout that is brewed with coffee beans and lemon peels. 2X Presso is a relative of the 2x Stout by Southern Tier and this beer has been brewed since 2014. 2X Presso has an alcohol by volume or ABV of 7.5%, pretty reasonable for a Double Milk Stout. The IBU or bitterness of 2x Presso is 55. 2x Presso should be served in a Nonic glass with enhances the style of this Double Milk Stout.
Appearance of 2X Presso
This double milk stout has a deep black appearance to it. The foam or head of this beer as it is poured is tan brown. The foam or head is quick to dissipate and leaves a thin ring of foam around the outside of the glass. Aroma of 2x Presso is right along the name. I notice right away with the coffee or espresso aroma. Then there is a sweetness aroma that is coming from the typical body of the milk stout, the combination of lactose and sucrose in the beer. There is a bitter aroma coming from the espresso or coffee aroma as well, which is like it was freshly brewed. I notice the roasted malt aroma in this double milk stout. The last aroma note I am able to notice is the subtle citrus aroma.
I am eager to see the outcome of the taste of this beer based off of the aroma. I notice the coffee taste right away, that is followed by a chocolate sweetness. As part of the coffee taste I notice a nice roasted note as well from the espresso that is then followed by bitter black coffee taste. The chocolate follows the bitter taste very well and is paired up with a hint of cream. The hint of cream and chocolate notes pair well together, like it was being added to an actual espresso. The last taste note that I pick up on that follows the aroma is the subtle citrus note, the lemon peels added to the beer are an interesting turn. The beer follows the path of someone trying to make the perfect espresso for themselves and adding all these notes to complete the espresso. Another thing I noticed about this beer right away was the thickness from the beginning, but the more and more I sipped on it. The more I notice the medium body behind the stout.
2X Presso Early Winter Seasonal by Southern Tier
Overall, I thought this was a good beer that showed of the espresso and the Milk Stout. There is a noticeable effort to show how one might go about making their own perfect espresso, by adding a lemon peel and chocolate. Then the smoothness and sweetness of this 2X Presso is enjoyable. The more I drank of 2X Presso the more I enjoyed a warmness from the beer. That is what I look forward to when enjoying a stout during the winter.
Check out Southern Tier Brewing Company on their Website and their Social Media:
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