Oak Aged Unearthly (Imperial India Pale Ale)
UPDATE 10-09-2011: this beer is distributed to CA. I bought it for $12. Since that's a pretty silly price for the quality, I have downgraded my scores a bit. Chilled bottle into a glass. From a trade with onix1agr (I think???). I've gotten so much Southern Tier from various people that I can't remember who sent them. Thanks to the guy that hooked me up with this one. A: Pours a coppery amber body with a slight haze to it. A vigorous pour results in two fingers of cream-colored head that sticks around for several minutes, leaving trails of lacing down the glass. What a fantastic look, especially for an 11% barleywine. S: Yes, I hold that it's a barleywine because of the smell and taste. Caramel, toffee, oak, vanilla, pine and grapefruit hops. T: Nice balance of caramel, toffee, pine, and some grapefruit. I guess it was dry-hopped after the oak aging. In the finish, tannins and vanilla start to become prominent. M: Medium-full, syrupy body with a little bite from the carbonation that helps make each swig enjoyable. Don't really feel the ABV at all. D: This was one of the better Southern Tier beers I've had.