Beer # 52 Gemini

Gemini 

Southern Tier Brewing Company, New York, USA (Independant)
Blend (see below) 9.1% ABV Brown Glass Bottle 650 ml
$9.00 (Canadian) at LCBO.

Today's beer is a blend of two other of a brewery's regular beers, and it is the first time I have heard of it being done with an IPA. The first beer is Unearthly Imperial IPA a hefty 9.5% 

heavily hopped ale that is described as being very fragrant. The second is Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale ale, a substantial 8.5% ale described as delicate and elegant. Both beers sound impressive on their own, whatever led the brewers to try the two together, well no-one is saying. What I say is the two beers are very similar in nature, so the selection of Gemini as the name rings true... the Twins.

Colour is light copper with a good sized off-white head made up of small bubbles that last a decent amount of time reducing to a skim across the top and some lacing on the glass. Aroma is strong floral hops with some fruitiness and as the beer warms a good hint of barn and molasses. First sip gives us a lot of sugar and a little cheek puckering astringency, herbal floral hops dominate, with the malt sugars bringing up the rear. There is a lot going on in this beer and I taste a little more with each sip. There is a little orange and bergamot, lingering inside. Mouthfeel is actually a little sticky. Aeration brings out the alcohol, and medicinal qualities. Almost gin-like.

Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional

                                                                                                               

Cost: 4/6 SO-SO
Colour: 5/6 PASS      
Beer Style: N/A it's an unusual blend
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS


Final Thoughts:
This is a very complex and interesting beer I found myself racing through the bottle inadvertanly trying to taste all of the different nuances. Unfortunately I think I ran out of beer before I found everything I was looking for. The only fault I think is that the beer, however good, is over priced, six or seven dollars, maybe, but nine is stretching it.



Cheers
CJT