Southern Tier Crème Brulee

If you’ve been paying attention to the beer blogosphere over the last month or so, you’ve no doubt noticed a massive influx of reviews on Southern Tier’s Crème Brulee. I’m no better than the rest of them, so without further ado, here’s my humble take.

Although I’ve enjoyed countless upon countless stouts in my days, this Southern Tier seasonal is my first experience with a Milk Stout. I was familiar enough with the style to know I’d be more than likely tasting one of the sweetest strongest beers out there, and I was right.

As soon as I cracked open the bottle I couldn’t help but notice how closely this brews aroma resembled a milk shake. It was like sitting in an old school ice cream parlor only instead of being served a deliciously creamy ice cream treat; I was pouring an ice cold beer into a frozen mug.

The taste even reminded me of the handmade malt shakes my mom used to make me as a child. Equally enjoyable was how well the espresso complimented the vanilla. Perhaps the best way to sum up this excellent craft beer from Southern Tier is by putting it in the simplest terms I can think of. Imagine taking a milkshake, dropping in a shot of espresso and a healthy serving of 9.8% ABV and you’ve got Crème Brulee.

With as good as this milk stout is I do feel it necessary to offer a bit of warning for those trying this beer. It may actually be too sweet. When I was enjoying this tasty concoction I was enjoying it from a 22 oz. bomber, which for a beer as tasty and creamy as this, was about 4 ounces too many. When enjoyed in moderation, ounce for ounce, this is the best dessert beer I have ever tried.

Southern Tier Crème Brulee comes in at 9 mugs out of 10.