Cuvee Series Three (Oak Aged Series)
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 79
- Avg:
- 3.26 | pDev: 25.15%
- Reviews:
- 73
- Ratings:
- From:
- Southern Tier Brewing Company
- New York, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 11
- Gots
- 52
SCORE
79
Okay
79
Okay
Notes:
Reviews: 73
| Ratings: 147
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4.28/5 rDev +31.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Cuvee 3, bottle bought along the Delaware River not too far from Philadelphia for $8.99.
Bottled somewhere around 2008-2009? Enjoyed during a rainy, hot late August evening, 2016.
Cuvee 3 was a gusher, exploding in my bare chest and making a sticky mess like a beery bukkake. But this brew is not over-carbonated; just lively and jovial despite the eight years it's been brooding inside the bottle. The color is a deep auburn with a surprisingly hefty white-colored head that lives some lacing behind.
The smell is of sweetness, unhinged sweetness, oh-my-god-delicious-but-I-got-diabetes sugary sweetness. Sugar, toffee, iced-tea, butterscotch. Dyacetil galore.
The taste follows the nose, with added raisins, grapefruit juice and Mad Dog 20-20. Vanilla, toffee, some hops. Nuttiness, caramel. I don't get much oak or barrel-aging, though.
The mouthfeel is rather fine for such an old beer, and overall I am surprised at how good this still is. Drinkable, well preserved, fine. Yessir, it is a sugah bomb... but if you like sweet beers, you'll enjoy this brew. It reminded me of the Mikkeller Foret series I recently had.
Also, and judging by its current sweetness, you could age this another eight years and it'd still be drinkable. The sugar will mellow more and more... Cuvee 3 is like one of those English barleywines you can have after 20 years. I *get* the bad reviews, but can't agree with them.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Cuvee 3, bottle bought along the Delaware River not too far from Philadelphia for $8.99.
Bottled somewhere around 2008-2009? Enjoyed during a rainy, hot late August evening, 2016.
Cuvee 3 was a gusher, exploding in my bare chest and making a sticky mess like a beery bukkake. But this brew is not over-carbonated; just lively and jovial despite the eight years it's been brooding inside the bottle. The color is a deep auburn with a surprisingly hefty white-colored head that lives some lacing behind.
The smell is of sweetness, unhinged sweetness, oh-my-god-delicious-but-I-got-diabetes sugary sweetness. Sugar, toffee, iced-tea, butterscotch. Dyacetil galore.
The taste follows the nose, with added raisins, grapefruit juice and Mad Dog 20-20. Vanilla, toffee, some hops. Nuttiness, caramel. I don't get much oak or barrel-aging, though.
The mouthfeel is rather fine for such an old beer, and overall I am surprised at how good this still is. Drinkable, well preserved, fine. Yessir, it is a sugah bomb... but if you like sweet beers, you'll enjoy this brew. It reminded me of the Mikkeller Foret series I recently had.
Also, and judging by its current sweetness, you could age this another eight years and it'd still be drinkable. The sugar will mellow more and more... Cuvee 3 is like one of those English barleywines you can have after 20 years. I *get* the bad reviews, but can't agree with them.
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3.7/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Looking at some of the reviews I am really scratching my head with this one. I really enjoyed this. It's super sweet. The only thing I had against the beer was the back end and after taste, was a little rubbery tasting.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Looking at some of the reviews I am really scratching my head with this one. I really enjoyed this. It's super sweet. The only thing I had against the beer was the back end and after taste, was a little rubbery tasting.
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1.78/5 rDev -45.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.25
Due to the packaging and the price I may have been expecting substantially more but this had the taste of a failed batch of beer that should never have been sold.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.25
Due to the packaging and the price I may have been expecting substantially more but this had the taste of a failed batch of beer that should never have been sold.
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1.4/5 rDev -57.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25
Wow, I really wish I would've looked over some reviews before randomly buying this bottle.
Slight gusher open opening. Poured into a ST tulip, a glossy, dark brown color with a slight haze, topped with a cap of off white head; good retention and lacing. All downhill from there. When I first opened the bottle, it actually had a decent aroma somewhat resembling a vinous barleywine. But that quickly turned for the worse. I really don't even know how to accurately describe the horrors of this beer's aroma, but I honestly could not even bring the glass close to my face without throwing up a little in my mouth. Some cloying sweet caramel, grapes, solvent, battery acid, bile...I don't know, rotten raisins maybe? You know that puddle of old flat liquid that pools in the bottom of your bag of recyclables over the course of a week? Maybe that. My palate and all senses were pretty much destroyed at this point, but I held my nose and took a sip. Harsh sulfur, all kinds of cheap booze, varnish, rotten wood, sickeningly sweet rotten fruit. Wow, this was really bad. Not even going to make note of the mouthfeel, because after that one sip, the rest of this went down the drain, and I actually feel bad for my drain because of it.
Easily one of the worst beers I've had from the craft scene, and even when compared to some macros.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.25
Wow, I really wish I would've looked over some reviews before randomly buying this bottle.
Slight gusher open opening. Poured into a ST tulip, a glossy, dark brown color with a slight haze, topped with a cap of off white head; good retention and lacing. All downhill from there. When I first opened the bottle, it actually had a decent aroma somewhat resembling a vinous barleywine. But that quickly turned for the worse. I really don't even know how to accurately describe the horrors of this beer's aroma, but I honestly could not even bring the glass close to my face without throwing up a little in my mouth. Some cloying sweet caramel, grapes, solvent, battery acid, bile...I don't know, rotten raisins maybe? You know that puddle of old flat liquid that pools in the bottom of your bag of recyclables over the course of a week? Maybe that. My palate and all senses were pretty much destroyed at this point, but I held my nose and took a sip. Harsh sulfur, all kinds of cheap booze, varnish, rotten wood, sickeningly sweet rotten fruit. Wow, this was really bad. Not even going to make note of the mouthfeel, because after that one sip, the rest of this went down the drain, and I actually feel bad for my drain because of it.
Easily one of the worst beers I've had from the craft scene, and even when compared to some macros.
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2.78/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
A thin, off-white head makes a brief appearance above a reddish, copper, clear ale.
The wine sampler glass presents an overly sweet, spicy, almost rabbit feed, aroma with musty notes, caramel, and vanilla.
As anticipated, this one is exceptionally sweet, with complex spices. However, it is all over the place and confused. Even the finish is sweet, with nuances of dates and prunes.
A full-bodied, syrupy beer that leaves a sticky residue on the lips. Carbonation is modest and alcohol is controlled for 11%.
The sweetness here is over the top and detracting, as are the peculiar spices. It would be difficult to find any suitable pairing to tame this experience. While it is certainly interesting, it is nonetheless difficult to finish the bottle.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
A thin, off-white head makes a brief appearance above a reddish, copper, clear ale.
The wine sampler glass presents an overly sweet, spicy, almost rabbit feed, aroma with musty notes, caramel, and vanilla.
As anticipated, this one is exceptionally sweet, with complex spices. However, it is all over the place and confused. Even the finish is sweet, with nuances of dates and prunes.
A full-bodied, syrupy beer that leaves a sticky residue on the lips. Carbonation is modest and alcohol is controlled for 11%.
The sweetness here is over the top and detracting, as are the peculiar spices. It would be difficult to find any suitable pairing to tame this experience. While it is certainly interesting, it is nonetheless difficult to finish the bottle.
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4.01/5 rDev +23%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Purchased this on a recent trip to NY over Thanksgiving weekend
A - ruby amber with a super-thin lacing of head that fades away instantly
S - huge breadiness, sugar, caramel, and something I can only describe as a baked potato
T - giant bready malts, sugary, some caramel, faint bitterness in the finish, there is some woodiness and oak in the finish, alcohol
M - full bodied, well carbonated, warming alcohol
This is certainly better than it's 3.22 average. I can see where it's a bit unbalanced and not well meshed. Being a blend of Cuvee 1 and 2, it seems that Cuvee 1 is more noticeable. The bready malts come through and dominate but it seems that Cuvee 2 provides a good deal of candy sugar and caramel. I'm glad that I had all 3 of this series. It's been a great privilege to be able to enjoy each one. This isn't the best of the series, but this is nice offering even if it's not the best balanced beer. I'm very glad I tried this beer.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Purchased this on a recent trip to NY over Thanksgiving weekend
A - ruby amber with a super-thin lacing of head that fades away instantly
S - huge breadiness, sugar, caramel, and something I can only describe as a baked potato
T - giant bready malts, sugary, some caramel, faint bitterness in the finish, there is some woodiness and oak in the finish, alcohol
M - full bodied, well carbonated, warming alcohol
This is certainly better than it's 3.22 average. I can see where it's a bit unbalanced and not well meshed. Being a blend of Cuvee 1 and 2, it seems that Cuvee 1 is more noticeable. The bready malts come through and dominate but it seems that Cuvee 2 provides a good deal of candy sugar and caramel. I'm glad that I had all 3 of this series. It's been a great privilege to be able to enjoy each one. This isn't the best of the series, but this is nice offering even if it's not the best balanced beer. I'm very glad I tried this beer.
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1.46/5 rDev -55.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.25
Pours puke orange with a small beige head leaving no retention or lacing.
By the time my nose was even a foot away, I could tell this one was bad. Strong caramel cherry and dark fruits. Way way too malty and a little funky smelling on top.
Straight up diabetes in the flavor. Lots of cherry and fig with some oak. Tastes like the fake 3% real fruit fruit juices. Beyond sweet.
Little carbonation and a full body which served to point out even more how sweet this one.
Good God this is one of the worst beers I've had in a while and one of the worst without any infection issues. No complexity whatsoever only an all out sweet assault. Out of the 6 people sharing at my house every single one drain poured this.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.25
Pours puke orange with a small beige head leaving no retention or lacing.
By the time my nose was even a foot away, I could tell this one was bad. Strong caramel cherry and dark fruits. Way way too malty and a little funky smelling on top.
Straight up diabetes in the flavor. Lots of cherry and fig with some oak. Tastes like the fake 3% real fruit fruit juices. Beyond sweet.
Little carbonation and a full body which served to point out even more how sweet this one.
Good God this is one of the worst beers I've had in a while and one of the worst without any infection issues. No complexity whatsoever only an all out sweet assault. Out of the 6 people sharing at my house every single one drain poured this.
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4.32/5 rDev +32.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Saint Somewhere wine-style glass. No freshness date.
A- Pours a dark copper color with a 1/4 inch light tan head that doesn't retain well before reducing to a thin ring around the edge of the glass and some ripples of surface foam. Slippery lacing leaves behind small, spotty foam on the side of the glass.
S- Very nutty with some cereal grain malt sweetness that's laced with oak and booze. Notes of almond, dark fruit and some bourbon.
T- Very smooth execution of malty sweetness, oak, caramel and vanilla flavors. There's a mild, underlying astringency that keeps things interesting while also exhibiting notes of dark fruit and raisin. The balance is remarkable as each sip brings more complexity to the palate. Certainly not highly quaffable, but all the flavors are in line with what one would expect from a beer of this magnitude thus resulting in an enjoyable drinking experience. A bit of oxidation might be what's driving this smoothness.
M- Thick and syrupy with medium-low carbonation and a medium-full body.
O- What got me with this one was just how nutty the aroma is. That and how much more enjoyable it was compared to the Series Two. Not the greatest extreme beer I've ever tasted, but it's worth the money ($10.99) in my eyes.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Saint Somewhere wine-style glass. No freshness date.
A- Pours a dark copper color with a 1/4 inch light tan head that doesn't retain well before reducing to a thin ring around the edge of the glass and some ripples of surface foam. Slippery lacing leaves behind small, spotty foam on the side of the glass.
S- Very nutty with some cereal grain malt sweetness that's laced with oak and booze. Notes of almond, dark fruit and some bourbon.
T- Very smooth execution of malty sweetness, oak, caramel and vanilla flavors. There's a mild, underlying astringency that keeps things interesting while also exhibiting notes of dark fruit and raisin. The balance is remarkable as each sip brings more complexity to the palate. Certainly not highly quaffable, but all the flavors are in line with what one would expect from a beer of this magnitude thus resulting in an enjoyable drinking experience. A bit of oxidation might be what's driving this smoothness.
M- Thick and syrupy with medium-low carbonation and a medium-full body.
O- What got me with this one was just how nutty the aroma is. That and how much more enjoyable it was compared to the Series Two. Not the greatest extreme beer I've ever tasted, but it's worth the money ($10.99) in my eyes.
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3.08/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
ya know, southern tier is gold in a million ways, but this really does not impress me. it cost 7 bucks or so from global brew in edwardsville, il. it pours crimson and clear, with a tan head thats tan, and gone in seconds. the nose is pretty rough, stright booze, wood, but not mature and refined, and sweet from a red malt that doesnt stand up to the sugar and booze its given birth to. the flavor is alcoholic and malty, a little vanilla, but largely unbalanced and separate. aftertaste is sharp and sweet in a kind of gross way really, long lasting and not delicious. the complexity is a negative in this case. needs way longer in oak i think. feel is okay, needs more bubbles and less sugar, but the medium body is fine, its cool, but its a nearly undrinkable bomber. glad i have two other doods to share this with. really unimpressive unfortunately. got a creme brule on deck though...
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
ya know, southern tier is gold in a million ways, but this really does not impress me. it cost 7 bucks or so from global brew in edwardsville, il. it pours crimson and clear, with a tan head thats tan, and gone in seconds. the nose is pretty rough, stright booze, wood, but not mature and refined, and sweet from a red malt that doesnt stand up to the sugar and booze its given birth to. the flavor is alcoholic and malty, a little vanilla, but largely unbalanced and separate. aftertaste is sharp and sweet in a kind of gross way really, long lasting and not delicious. the complexity is a negative in this case. needs way longer in oak i think. feel is okay, needs more bubbles and less sugar, but the medium body is fine, its cool, but its a nearly undrinkable bomber. glad i have two other doods to share this with. really unimpressive unfortunately. got a creme brule on deck though...
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3.62/5 rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22 ounce bottle. I know this has some age on it since I bought the bottle about a year ago, but I figured I'd drink it anyway since I had tried the Cuvée Series 1 and 2 in the past. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a hazy ruby red/amber color with about a half inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both decent enough. Aroma is sweet and malty, it smells like caramel, brown sugar, coconut, vanilla and some oak. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some dark fruit and a slight medicinal flavor. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's syrupy and sticky with low carbonation. Overall I thought this was a solid brew, but I do wonder what it was like when fresh. $8.99 a bottle.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22 ounce bottle. I know this has some age on it since I bought the bottle about a year ago, but I figured I'd drink it anyway since I had tried the Cuvée Series 1 and 2 in the past. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a hazy ruby red/amber color with about a half inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both decent enough. Aroma is sweet and malty, it smells like caramel, brown sugar, coconut, vanilla and some oak. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some dark fruit and a slight medicinal flavor. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's syrupy and sticky with low carbonation. Overall I thought this was a solid brew, but I do wonder what it was like when fresh. $8.99 a bottle.
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2.14/5 rDev -34.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Pours a golden ruby color with a small watery white head.
Overwhelming cane sugar and caramel malt. Very faint cherry
aroma is there as well.
Taste is as sugary sweet as the nose suggests. Also get some tobacco, leather and some hints of vanilla. Seems like the oak is gone.
Mouthfeel was on the thicker side with little carbonation.
Reminds me of one of their big stouts minus any redeeming qualities. One the worst beers I've had this year. I couldn't choke this down but the sink had no trouble finishing his 17oz portion. Came in a fancy box and had a shiny label so I had higher hopes for this one;o(
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look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Pours a golden ruby color with a small watery white head.
Overwhelming cane sugar and caramel malt. Very faint cherry
aroma is there as well.
Taste is as sugary sweet as the nose suggests. Also get some tobacco, leather and some hints of vanilla. Seems like the oak is gone.
Mouthfeel was on the thicker side with little carbonation.
Reminds me of one of their big stouts minus any redeeming qualities. One the worst beers I've had this year. I couldn't choke this down but the sink had no trouble finishing his 17oz portion. Came in a fancy box and had a shiny label so I had higher hopes for this one;o(
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3.23/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
22oz bottle poured into my Devil's Backbone glass. It poured a deep mahogany color with a thin tan head sticking to the edges of the glass.
The aroma shows a lot of the oak wood to it. Caramel, cherry and some yeast spice are there as well. The wood is a little strong and it feels a little overly sweet and sugary, but I like the how the oak comes together with the sweet maltiness. It's a little boozy, but tolerable.
The taste shows more of the malty sweetness, so much that it becomes a little syrupy towards the finish. I'm really liking the dark fruits though, as I get notes of cherry and fig out of it. The oak is complimenting, but not enough to overcome the sweet, syrupy finish.
The mouthfeel is leaning towards the heavier side with carbonation being low. Overall, I enjoyed this beer as well as others in the series. It may have been a little sweet and syrupy at times, but I liked how the bold oak and sweet malt flavors came together. This was probably my least favorite of the Cuvee's, but it was still a decent beer to sip on this evening.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
22oz bottle poured into my Devil's Backbone glass. It poured a deep mahogany color with a thin tan head sticking to the edges of the glass.
The aroma shows a lot of the oak wood to it. Caramel, cherry and some yeast spice are there as well. The wood is a little strong and it feels a little overly sweet and sugary, but I like the how the oak comes together with the sweet maltiness. It's a little boozy, but tolerable.
The taste shows more of the malty sweetness, so much that it becomes a little syrupy towards the finish. I'm really liking the dark fruits though, as I get notes of cherry and fig out of it. The oak is complimenting, but not enough to overcome the sweet, syrupy finish.
The mouthfeel is leaning towards the heavier side with carbonation being low. Overall, I enjoyed this beer as well as others in the series. It may have been a little sweet and syrupy at times, but I liked how the bold oak and sweet malt flavors came together. This was probably my least favorite of the Cuvee's, but it was still a decent beer to sip on this evening.
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2.46/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
Pours an effervescent orange with a slight tan head that fizzles quickly. Minimal head retention & zero lacing
S: Rich cherry & fig notes, the only redeeming feature of this offering
T: Figs, cinnamon, canned pears, & candied orange slices with some cayenne pepper thrown in up front. Cherry Brandy notes as this warms, with booze heat, plus raisins, but none of this really works in harmony, maybe too much oak aging??? Sooo many things wrong here. Finishes beyond cloying, with raisins, cherries & cut-rate pineapple juice
MF: Still carbonation, slick, a touch hot
This is still a mess, glad I got to try it, suprised I did not drain pour it, avoid! Can't believe ST put this clunker out...
Edit, I did drain pour about half of this
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look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5
Pours an effervescent orange with a slight tan head that fizzles quickly. Minimal head retention & zero lacing
S: Rich cherry & fig notes, the only redeeming feature of this offering
T: Figs, cinnamon, canned pears, & candied orange slices with some cayenne pepper thrown in up front. Cherry Brandy notes as this warms, with booze heat, plus raisins, but none of this really works in harmony, maybe too much oak aging??? Sooo many things wrong here. Finishes beyond cloying, with raisins, cherries & cut-rate pineapple juice
MF: Still carbonation, slick, a touch hot
This is still a mess, glad I got to try it, suprised I did not drain pour it, avoid! Can't believe ST put this clunker out...
Edit, I did drain pour about half of this
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3.81/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bomber into a Stella Artois Chalice.
A- A deep ruby amber with a head that dissipates right away.
S- Very overpoweringly woody and roasty. Hints of grain, caramel, biscuit and vanilla.
T- Tastes very strongly of roasted wood as well as being very carmally and slightly nutty. A very sweet beer there is also a very intense vanilla flavor. Their are some biscuit and bread notes very similar to a sweet desert. Slight hints of berry-like fruit. Very overwhelmingly complex.
M- Very rich with little carbonation, it has a full body that hangs to the side of the glass. Very thick. Heavily coats the inside of you're mouth.
O- This beer is super intense and definitely a sipper. That being said though it is very good, however I can definitely see where this could be considered bad for many people. You have to really be into rich and strong beers in order to enjoy this, not to mention you really have to enjoy the taste of oak in your beer. It is very overly sweet and very potent and not to mention powerful. I got to enjoy this beer on my 21st birthday with my father and we had a great time sipping it together. Definitely not for the weak of palate. I'm very glad that I bought this, especially since it was the last bottle at the specialty store that I frequent. Would love to have been able to try series one and two. While I thought that this beer was phenomenal I definitely have to give it only a 3.5 just because of the fact that it was so overly complex. Unless you really took a nice slow time sipping this beer it would almost be to hard to distinguish flavors and whatnot. I can definitely see where Southern tier was trying to go with this though and I can definitely respect what they were able to accomplish.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bomber into a Stella Artois Chalice.
A- A deep ruby amber with a head that dissipates right away.
S- Very overpoweringly woody and roasty. Hints of grain, caramel, biscuit and vanilla.
T- Tastes very strongly of roasted wood as well as being very carmally and slightly nutty. A very sweet beer there is also a very intense vanilla flavor. Their are some biscuit and bread notes very similar to a sweet desert. Slight hints of berry-like fruit. Very overwhelmingly complex.
M- Very rich with little carbonation, it has a full body that hangs to the side of the glass. Very thick. Heavily coats the inside of you're mouth.
O- This beer is super intense and definitely a sipper. That being said though it is very good, however I can definitely see where this could be considered bad for many people. You have to really be into rich and strong beers in order to enjoy this, not to mention you really have to enjoy the taste of oak in your beer. It is very overly sweet and very potent and not to mention powerful. I got to enjoy this beer on my 21st birthday with my father and we had a great time sipping it together. Definitely not for the weak of palate. I'm very glad that I bought this, especially since it was the last bottle at the specialty store that I frequent. Would love to have been able to try series one and two. While I thought that this beer was phenomenal I definitely have to give it only a 3.5 just because of the fact that it was so overly complex. Unless you really took a nice slow time sipping this beer it would almost be to hard to distinguish flavors and whatnot. I can definitely see where Southern tier was trying to go with this though and I can definitely respect what they were able to accomplish.
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2.55/5 rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
On tap at Taco Mac Decatur. Reviewed from Notes.
(Appearance) arrives a deep copper mahogany brown, largely translucent but quite dark. Flat head, has little swirls of brown in the surface cover. Looks decent, albeit flat. 3.5
(Smell) Deep caramel, booze, toffee, wood oak tones, minor berry aromas hint of vanilla. Oaken booze flavor is the dominating aroma. Interesting. 3.5
(Taste) Minor booze maple sugar and vanilla front with oak tones trailing throughout. Flavor comes through in the end with a heavy duty slick honey finish. A bit too much vanilla and sweetness in the mix and there's not much balance to the overall beer to round out the sweet flavors; perhaps more bitters are necessary. Not too enjoyable for the price I paid. 2
(Mouthfeel) Very slick, nearly flat in delivery throughout. This amplifies the sweet sugar quality. It could have benefited a lot with a touch more carbonation. Alcohol is a medium in presence, body is a medium/high. Riddled with issues. 2
(Overall) This was hardly worth the money to me. Interesting take but a lack of balance makes this difficult to consume in general. Not very enjoyable or worth your time. Avoid. 2.5
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
On tap at Taco Mac Decatur. Reviewed from Notes.
(Appearance) arrives a deep copper mahogany brown, largely translucent but quite dark. Flat head, has little swirls of brown in the surface cover. Looks decent, albeit flat. 3.5
(Smell) Deep caramel, booze, toffee, wood oak tones, minor berry aromas hint of vanilla. Oaken booze flavor is the dominating aroma. Interesting. 3.5
(Taste) Minor booze maple sugar and vanilla front with oak tones trailing throughout. Flavor comes through in the end with a heavy duty slick honey finish. A bit too much vanilla and sweetness in the mix and there's not much balance to the overall beer to round out the sweet flavors; perhaps more bitters are necessary. Not too enjoyable for the price I paid. 2
(Mouthfeel) Very slick, nearly flat in delivery throughout. This amplifies the sweet sugar quality. It could have benefited a lot with a touch more carbonation. Alcohol is a medium in presence, body is a medium/high. Riddled with issues. 2
(Overall) This was hardly worth the money to me. Interesting take but a lack of balance makes this difficult to consume in general. Not very enjoyable or worth your time. Avoid. 2.5
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3.33/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into tulip glass.
Appearance: Dark amber with ruby hues. Pours 1/2 finger of off-white head that fades quickly. Moderate lacing. Lots of bubbles clinging to the bottom and sides of the glass.
Smell: malty, caramel, hops, oak, nutty, citrus, raisin, figs.
Taste: sweet, malty, nutty, oak, raisins, figs, plums.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied, light-medium carbonation. sweet.
Overall: Although I thought this was the best of the three beers in the Cuvee series, this was still overly sweet and malty. The balance in all three beers was way off. Drinkability is low.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into tulip glass.
Appearance: Dark amber with ruby hues. Pours 1/2 finger of off-white head that fades quickly. Moderate lacing. Lots of bubbles clinging to the bottom and sides of the glass.
Smell: malty, caramel, hops, oak, nutty, citrus, raisin, figs.
Taste: sweet, malty, nutty, oak, raisins, figs, plums.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied, light-medium carbonation. sweet.
Overall: Although I thought this was the best of the three beers in the Cuvee series, this was still overly sweet and malty. The balance in all three beers was way off. Drinkability is low.
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1.18/5 rDev -63.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Well I'll start by saying any beer that i drain pour gets a F
I was dumb enough to let some guys at a beer store that i do not frequent tell me that this beer was amazing and i had to buy it. So I bought 2 at 13.99 a piece passed up beer like Blushing monk for instance.
A- Very red cherry color
S- Tons of cherry maybe and sweetness no hops what so ever
T- Fruit, sugar, taste like cough syrup
M- I cant get past the sweetness
O- Nasty. Now what am i supposed to do with the other bottle?
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS BEER
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look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Well I'll start by saying any beer that i drain pour gets a F
I was dumb enough to let some guys at a beer store that i do not frequent tell me that this beer was amazing and i had to buy it. So I bought 2 at 13.99 a piece passed up beer like Blushing monk for instance.
A- Very red cherry color
S- Tons of cherry maybe and sweetness no hops what so ever
T- Fruit, sugar, taste like cough syrup
M- I cant get past the sweetness
O- Nasty. Now what am i supposed to do with the other bottle?
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS BEER
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4.92/5 rDev +50.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Pours a dark amber/burgundy color with a small head. Aroma of oak, vanilla, cherry, and caramel. Taste includes oak, vanilla, cherry, and caramel as well. It is a sweet malty delight with noticeable alcohol but not as noticeable as the 11% would suggest. Very smooth with medium to heavy body and moderate carbonation. Enjoyed at cellar temperature - I really loved this beer!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Pours a dark amber/burgundy color with a small head. Aroma of oak, vanilla, cherry, and caramel. Taste includes oak, vanilla, cherry, and caramel as well. It is a sweet malty delight with noticeable alcohol but not as noticeable as the 11% would suggest. Very smooth with medium to heavy body and moderate carbonation. Enjoyed at cellar temperature - I really loved this beer!
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3.15/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a medium auburn with a finger off white head that fades quickly leaving a few bubble and very spotty lacing.
Aroma of caramel, malt and oak.
Taste followed the nose with a very sweet sugary caramel, sweet bready malt, a very light oak and alcohol.
Mouth Feel was medium body, moderate carbonation, syrupy and a strong alcohol warming.
Overall this ale topped the sweetness scale for my taste, it's good that this is a one time series.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a medium auburn with a finger off white head that fades quickly leaving a few bubble and very spotty lacing.
Aroma of caramel, malt and oak.
Taste followed the nose with a very sweet sugary caramel, sweet bready malt, a very light oak and alcohol.
Mouth Feel was medium body, moderate carbonation, syrupy and a strong alcohol warming.
Overall this ale topped the sweetness scale for my taste, it's good that this is a one time series.
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3.1/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Thanks to Mike and Jen for this bomber. I skipped over Cuvee 2.
A: The strong ale is a syrupy golden orange color, still transparent despite its darker hues. A thin head, wispy bands at best, are the result of a rather relaxed pour. Minimal lacing.
S: The nose is syrupy sweet, molasses and brown sugar are prominent. The oak comes in the form of strong vanilla. The darker sugars and barrel aging are logarithmic, amplifying the sweetness of the nose.
T: The nose all over again, more darker sugars with a finishing sweetness. Molasses is fuller, cut by the brown sugar. Sweet malts abound, with a vanilla flavor that isn't full enough to be full-on barrels. Oak chips, gotta be. The entire package is a sweet syrupy mess of flavor. I like the fullness left behind, more even than that flavors delivered in each sip.
M: The mouthfeel never gets off the sweetness track. The darker flavors, all sugary in some form, coalesce with the oak chips in a muddled format. I knew there was a reason I passed on No. 2.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Thanks to Mike and Jen for this bomber. I skipped over Cuvee 2.
A: The strong ale is a syrupy golden orange color, still transparent despite its darker hues. A thin head, wispy bands at best, are the result of a rather relaxed pour. Minimal lacing.
S: The nose is syrupy sweet, molasses and brown sugar are prominent. The oak comes in the form of strong vanilla. The darker sugars and barrel aging are logarithmic, amplifying the sweetness of the nose.
T: The nose all over again, more darker sugars with a finishing sweetness. Molasses is fuller, cut by the brown sugar. Sweet malts abound, with a vanilla flavor that isn't full enough to be full-on barrels. Oak chips, gotta be. The entire package is a sweet syrupy mess of flavor. I like the fullness left behind, more even than that flavors delivered in each sip.
M: The mouthfeel never gets off the sweetness track. The darker flavors, all sugary in some form, coalesce with the oak chips in a muddled format. I knew there was a reason I passed on No. 2.
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2.98/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Pours a clear garnet color with a modest head that leaves strands of lace behind
Smell: An abundance of caramel with oaky/vanilla elements
Taste: Caramel, caramel and more caramel, up front, with a oaky/vanilla aspect that develops by mid-palate, along with a cheery cough syrup character, as well; after the swallow, the sweet flavors become rather cloying
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, with low to moderate carbonation; very sticky with warmth in the gullet
Overall: Far too one-dimensional, with a lack of hop balance; I really tried to like it but ultimately, the sweetness got the better of me
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Pours a clear garnet color with a modest head that leaves strands of lace behind
Smell: An abundance of caramel with oaky/vanilla elements
Taste: Caramel, caramel and more caramel, up front, with a oaky/vanilla aspect that develops by mid-palate, along with a cheery cough syrup character, as well; after the swallow, the sweet flavors become rather cloying
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, with low to moderate carbonation; very sticky with warmth in the gullet
Overall: Far too one-dimensional, with a lack of hop balance; I really tried to like it but ultimately, the sweetness got the better of me
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1.97/5 rDev -39.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
Sample with #1 and #2. Taster glass.
A - Thing white foam, wispy cap, thin collar, spotty lace. Transparent dark brown body. Why is this filtered when the others aren't?
S - Alcohol, dark fruits, candi sugar, oaky vanilla, grape juice, a slightly earhty note, and barbaric cloying sweetness. Combines all the elements of #1 and #2 that I didn't like.
T - Taste is slightly better, but still quite bad. Alcohol, oak, cheap port, grain. Something has gone terribly awry - the component parts were much better than the resulting blend.
M - Low carbonation, thick, viscous, full body, definite alcohol heat.
D - This is by far the worst of the three beers - impressively bad blend that evokes largadeer's finest cuvées. Why did it take nearly two years for them to make this after the first two releases?
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look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
Sample with #1 and #2. Taster glass.
A - Thing white foam, wispy cap, thin collar, spotty lace. Transparent dark brown body. Why is this filtered when the others aren't?
S - Alcohol, dark fruits, candi sugar, oaky vanilla, grape juice, a slightly earhty note, and barbaric cloying sweetness. Combines all the elements of #1 and #2 that I didn't like.
T - Taste is slightly better, but still quite bad. Alcohol, oak, cheap port, grain. Something has gone terribly awry - the component parts were much better than the resulting blend.
M - Low carbonation, thick, viscous, full body, definite alcohol heat.
D - This is by far the worst of the three beers - impressively bad blend that evokes largadeer's finest cuvées. Why did it take nearly two years for them to make this after the first two releases?
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2.08/5 rDev -36.2%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
22 oz. Bomber poured into a Dogfish Head Snifter
Pours a 1/8” cap which quickly disappears, leaving a nonexistent head, very deep dark amber color
Wow! This is really bizarre but the first thing I smell is the distinct aroma of smoked meat (bacon), followed by thick smelling malt. I know that this is strange, but it is the best that I can do, never encountered anything like this before! The smoked smell hangs from beginning to end, unfortunately.
Rather sweet entry in the mouth, followed by rich thick syrupy malt, no noticeable hops here at all. The high ABV of 11% is completely buried by the flavor profile of this ale. Huge body, very full, from the intense malting and high ABV. I have to say that this ale is completely unbalanced, for lack of any hops and extremely light acidity. There is not a single flavor here that is appealing, sorry STBC.
I have had a few of this breweries offerings and have liked them all. I purchased this without any prior information because of the producer and the fact that it was oak aged. I don’t know what they were trying for here but it’s not for me or anyone else that I can think of. I am no stranger to “over the top brews”, in fact I search them out, but this is one for the books. Very hard to find anything to like about this except a totally different, if not very good experience. This bottle was not oxidized as some reading this may assume, I know that taste in beer and wine. I have to admit that I dumped this ale, something I cannot recall doing for at least 20 years. I have to say WTF was this!
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look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2
22 oz. Bomber poured into a Dogfish Head Snifter
Pours a 1/8” cap which quickly disappears, leaving a nonexistent head, very deep dark amber color
Wow! This is really bizarre but the first thing I smell is the distinct aroma of smoked meat (bacon), followed by thick smelling malt. I know that this is strange, but it is the best that I can do, never encountered anything like this before! The smoked smell hangs from beginning to end, unfortunately.
Rather sweet entry in the mouth, followed by rich thick syrupy malt, no noticeable hops here at all. The high ABV of 11% is completely buried by the flavor profile of this ale. Huge body, very full, from the intense malting and high ABV. I have to say that this ale is completely unbalanced, for lack of any hops and extremely light acidity. There is not a single flavor here that is appealing, sorry STBC.
I have had a few of this breweries offerings and have liked them all. I purchased this without any prior information because of the producer and the fact that it was oak aged. I don’t know what they were trying for here but it’s not for me or anyone else that I can think of. I am no stranger to “over the top brews”, in fact I search them out, but this is one for the books. Very hard to find anything to like about this except a totally different, if not very good experience. This bottle was not oxidized as some reading this may assume, I know that taste in beer and wine. I have to admit that I dumped this ale, something I cannot recall doing for at least 20 years. I have to say WTF was this!
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3.53/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured a light brown amber color with a huge cream colored head that stayed for a while. Decent lacing falling down the sides.
Smell was very sweet of caramel with an almost a bourbon or whiskey smell to it. But it was a touch off, not having the depth to it that I had hoped it would. The taste was very intresting, but again seeemed to be lacking that push to make it over the top. Clean barrel, oak, bourbon, touch of fig and prune with a vanilla touch to it. Very crisp with a slight touch of alcohol. Sweet caramel malts and a bit of a wooden hop back. This is a very complex beer, I just wish it was a little more evolved
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured a light brown amber color with a huge cream colored head that stayed for a while. Decent lacing falling down the sides.
Smell was very sweet of caramel with an almost a bourbon or whiskey smell to it. But it was a touch off, not having the depth to it that I had hoped it would. The taste was very intresting, but again seeemed to be lacking that push to make it over the top. Clean barrel, oak, bourbon, touch of fig and prune with a vanilla touch to it. Very crisp with a slight touch of alcohol. Sweet caramel malts and a bit of a wooden hop back. This is a very complex beer, I just wish it was a little more evolved
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2.74/5 rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
Pours 1/2 finger of beige head. Fades to a thin ring. Color is a clear copper amber.
Aroma: A lot of oak. Toasted coconut and marshmallow flavors. Brown sugar and caramel. Some vanilla. A lot of malts.
Taste: Very rich and sweet. A ton of toasted coconut and oak. Some marshmallow. Caramel and toffee sweetness. Vanilla and brown sugar. Mimics the nose with the exception of some alcohol here.
Mouthfeel: Boozy, smooth, cloying. Medium to full bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends sticky and sweet.
Overall, the sweetness was a bit too much for me. Very cloying. This one tasted fine, but it was really hard to drink a lot.
EDIT: The more I drank of this beer, the harder it became to drink. I could hardly finish a few ounces.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5
Pours 1/2 finger of beige head. Fades to a thin ring. Color is a clear copper amber.
Aroma: A lot of oak. Toasted coconut and marshmallow flavors. Brown sugar and caramel. Some vanilla. A lot of malts.
Taste: Very rich and sweet. A ton of toasted coconut and oak. Some marshmallow. Caramel and toffee sweetness. Vanilla and brown sugar. Mimics the nose with the exception of some alcohol here.
Mouthfeel: Boozy, smooth, cloying. Medium to full bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends sticky and sweet.
Overall, the sweetness was a bit too much for me. Very cloying. This one tasted fine, but it was really hard to drink a lot.
EDIT: The more I drank of this beer, the harder it became to drink. I could hardly finish a few ounces.
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Cuvee Series Three (Oak Aged Series) from Southern Tier Brewing Company
Beer rating:
79 out of
100 with
147 ratings
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