Southern Tier Oak-aged Unearthly Imperial IPA

I was inspired for this post by the beer I had last night, not this one but another Southern Tier creation, which will wait for another day to make the blog. I had the (long name) Southern Tier Oak-aged Unearthly Imperial IPA in May, 2009. This was a special birthday present to myself as I went to the Big Star Beer Market, which was near where I used to live and picked out a couple of more lavish beers. The picture below is of the non-imperial version and the picture is linked to a nice article about some other beers of theirs. I have been a huge fan of oak-aged brews as they have grown during the last 5 years or so and this one did not disappoint. Here is the description of the beer from the Southern Tier site:

At the Southern Tier Brewing Company, vigorously hopped beer is our standard and inspiration. We continue a commitment to innovation with an aggressive offering. Oak Aged Unearthly is a manifestation of the brewer’s craft; skillfully balancing art and the forces of nature to produce a divine liquid. Delicately pour a taste of this oak aged brew into a fluted glass. Smell the enchanting aromas of the hops waft forward as your first sip divulges this beer’s fervent soul. To underestimate Oak Aged Unearthly is to trifle with the mysteries of the universe, so please consume wisely.consider it an immoral act to blacken an ale. We suggest they don’t rely on conventional standards. Allow the darkness to consume you. Cheers!9.5% abv • 15.7ºL • Imperial India Pale Ale • 22 oz

The review here at Beer Advocate echoes my sentiment that this is an excellent beer. You should look for this one and if you don't see it, ask about it and watch for it when it does come to a beer store near you. It only has limited availability.