The other day, G-LO stopped over for a quick beer (I seem to start a large number of posts this way. I’m starting to think that he might have a problem). In any event, G-LO stopped over and since we were only having one beer, we went with a more dessert type of beer and opted for the Southern Tier Crème Brûlée. As we picked up a couple of glasses and a bottle opener, we were joined by our better halves (I say this not so much because I believe, but because they might be reading this and am somewhat obligated to refer to the Benevolents in such a fashion). As we poured out the beer, we passed the glasses on to our spouses, and after a quick nosing, we lost our glasses. Apparently, the Crème Brûlée had that fantastic first note that forced their hands and left G-LO and I empty-handed. As a consequence, G-LO suggested that if they wanted to drink the beer then they would also have to review it. Sadly, this proposal did not deter them and they also took our pens and paper.
Before we get to their review, here is what Southern Tier has to say about their Crème Brûlée:
We are not the harbingers of truth as some may suggest but it may indeed be argued that our brewing philosophy is tantamount to a dessert with a bellicose past. How, you may ask, would a brewery determine a likeness to hard-coated custard? Our response is simple; it’s all in the power of history, and of course, the extra finesse needed to top off a contentious treat with definition.
By comprehending the labyrinthine movement of time, one would not think it strange to trace the errant path of an ordinary object such as a cream dessert only to discover that it has been the cause of cultural disputes since the middle ages. The British founders of burnt cream and from Spain, crema catalana, both stand by their creative originality and we respect that, but it was the French Crème Brûlée, amid the strife of contention, that survived to represent our deliciously creamy brew. .
Here’s what the ladies thought of this beer…
- Appearance: Deep, thick black with a quickly dissipating tan foam and lots of lacing.
- Aroma
- Benita: Butterscotch, molasses, mocha and caramel with a hint of cherries.
- Madame Rouge: Huge butterscotch notes with hints of vanilla latte, chocolate chip cookie batter; like a mocha frappuccino.
- Taste
- Benita: Smooth, softer than the dark appearance would suggest. It tastes just like the aroma would suggest .
- Madame Rouge: Much like the aroma; almost like a cheesecake with a bit of bitterness on the back end.
- ABV: 9.6%
The Verdict
G-LO and I would like to offer our opinions on the Crème Brûlée, but all that was left were dregs. Overall, the ladies found this beer to be very enjoyable and certainly something to be paired with a good dessert. Vanilla ice cream or a big slice of cheesecake; maybe even a dark chocolate cake. While certainly not the kind of beer to over indulge, the inclusion of this beer in the dessert course of any beer pairing dinner would not disappoint.
