Southern Tier Gemini
Southern Tier Gemini is a beer I’ve had in the past, but hadn’t seen it in quite some time. Apparently the brewery had retired it back in 2012, only having resurrected a revised version of the brew last year. Fans of the beer should note that this is not the same Gemini as back then.
Six varieties of hops go into this 9% ABV imperial IPA, giving Gemini a tone of citrus, pine, and herbal notes. I’m not sure I would call this a “super hopped ale” as the label states, but its 65 IBU do pack a solid punch.
Appearance
Gemini pours a slightly rusty amber in color with a dense head of foam that left behind sticky lacing as it dropped.
Aroma
Herbal hop notes lead the way for soft pine, tangerine, grapefruit and light bread.
Taste
This is a full flavored IPA with good fruitiness (tangerine, peach, grapefruit), pine and herbal/flowery notes. It’s got a good amount of hop bitterness that tingles for a good long while after each sip. A moderate level of sweetness does its best to temper the bite. With a medium body, the brew isn’t as slick on the tongue or as cloying as many examples of the style.
Overall
I can’t fully recall how the older version of Gemini presented itself. I remember liking it, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed this updated recipe. This is a darn good imperial IPA with a great flavor. It encompasses everything I want in a big, hoppy ale and still retains a solid measure of drinkability — it’s not stupid bitter or over-the-top in any fashion.
Rating: 4.25/5
