Why we picked it: Rated a 93 at Total Wine.
About Southern Tier's Phin & Matt's Extraordinary Ale: To label a beer as extraordinary is to trust its ingredients from the start. Crystal clean filtered water, whole hops, and the choicest malted barley create this American-style pale ale we are please to call Phin & Matts Extraordinary Ale. The character of an American Pale Ale varies from region to region and is dependent upon the ingredients used. In ours, you can expect harmony between malt and hops without dominating tastes of sweet or bitter. A classic tribute to the ingredients of our nation, for a pale ale we are proud to call our own.
Style: American Pale Ale
Brewed since: 2004
ABV: 5.7%
Fermentation: Ale yeast, three varieties of hops, three varieties of malts
Color: Pale amber
Effervescence: Generous carbonation. Bubbles rise soft and slow
Nose: Biscuity, a hint of malt, earthy
Flavor: Grassy and floral, light and refined sweetness, straw
Bitterness: Medium
Body: Medium-light
Serving Temperature: 40-45°F
Glass: Pint glass, mug
Cellaring: 35-40°F
Case Cost: $30
*website: https://www.stbcbeer.com/works-2-cols/phin-matts/
7:40 and no comments yet? Come on people. I've had some Southern Tiers before but never the Phineas. I like it but it's certainly not extraordinary. I don't think I'd purchase a sixer. I gues I like my hops to barley ratio to be more like 4:2 or 5:1. Or maybe just one awesome variety of hops. This seemed a bit heavy on the "maltiness" for a pale ale. And that floral aftertaste is a bit bizarre. Certainly lingers. And not in a good way. Reminds me of something I can't put my finger on. And am not sure I want to.
ReplyDeleteWell that went down smooth and quick. I thought it was pretty good. I drank it so fast I don't really remember all the tastes, but it paired well with dinner. A Katy special, ramen noodles and shrimp and old bay. 5.7 ABV is not that bad either. I wouldn't say it was extraordinary, but I would say it was good. I'll give it a 7 out of 10, B-
ReplyDeleteThis was great! I could definitely taste the sweetness of it and it wasn't bitter at all. It was light and I also drank it pretty fast.
ReplyDeleteSo this was the one I circled on the calendar when the 24 beers arrived …
ReplyDeleteFirst the back story: I was born and raised in the small city of Jamestown in the southwestern corner of Upstate New York. Jamestown is connected with two adjoining villages, Lakewood and Falconer. Combined, they make for “greater metropolitan” area of about 25K-30K.
It was pretty much known for being the birthplace of Lucille Ball, some semi-famous bird guy, Natalie Merchant and also being one of the cheapest housing/low cost of living places in the country. Oh, and mostly infamous NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was born there.
None of those things – except for Lucy, kind of – make me swell with pride. But then I was told the most amazing thing. This little backwater nest of mine was the home of beer. Very, very good beer.
Since then, out of some twisted desperate need for civic pride, I have become a bit of a Southern Tier Brewery (STB, from here on out) sycophant. I have been to the Lakewood-based brewery/brew pub four times and always stock up on cases when I am there. And as I write now, I am drinking from a STB labeled pint glass while wearing a STB tee shirt (OK, I’m not wearing it, but I own it and could be).
Oh, and the first beer I ever had from STB was, as a matter of fact, Matt & Phins. That being said, it is probably about their fifth or sixth best beer at best. 2XIPA, 2Xmas, Backburner and the IPA are all a cut above. However, the Phins will always have a place in my heart and is a truly good beer. It is malty and hoppy all that the same time, while being balanced, smooth and refreshing. This is actually a summer favorite of mine. Grade: 8.5/10 (an extra quarter for hometown bias)
A final note: I highly recommend the 2Xmas if you get your hands on it. Beer influence by Swedish Glögg. It is delicious and I will be pulling one out of my fridge shortly.
A really good beer. Smooth and tasty. Going down great with another late Wizards collapse.
ReplyDeleteUnexpectedly tasty!
ReplyDeleteI also liked this beer. It was smooth and very easy to drink. Sorry we have been MIA for the past few days. We hit up New Orleans, where, shockingly, we drank a lot of Miller Lite. We have lots of beer and commenting to catch up on!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what to think of this beer. I want to like it but there is the initial taste that I don't like and can't shake but it's got 5.7% ABV and a smooth aftertaste. I even got two tonight to try and decide if I like it or not, but I'm still on the fence. It gets it 6 out of 10 because of the initial taste
ReplyDeleteJust got home and am a bit disappointed that at 1:30 AM only 8 ppl have commented out of 36....hmmm.
ReplyDeleteBeing from upstate NY myself (stepsister lives in Jamestown) I have sampled a number of their beers over the years. This one isn't my fav but is a solid and well balanced beer. Agree that it is a bit more of a summer beer that leaves me wanting for more in a winter beer. I drink the hell outta this beer whenever I see it on tap but don't know that I would seek it out.
Wow. A Jamestown connection. So does she and/or husband work at the hospital, Cummins Engines, the school or run moonshine. I am pretty sure those are all of the jobs available. I am only half joking.
DeleteBalanced seems to be the key adjective here which in reality means no distinct taste. To me the hint of summer tastes came out in the aftertaste (I think it was a grass/straw taste as the description above mentions which would also explain why I my nose got stuffy from drinking this beer due to my allergies to straw). Needless to say I would not purchase this beer and agree with some comments that this was more suited for the summer selection. I am guessing Mark suggested this beer?
ReplyDeleteRating 6.7
Really enjoyed this...
ReplyDeletetony, clean up aisle 12
This was a great beer. Morning, noon, night, winter, summer, whatever, this shit was good. I thoroughly enjoyed it while soaking in my bubble bath, watching the holiday after a tough workout. I wish I had a few more so I could finish the movie with this fine brew.
ReplyDeleteA really nice Brew, smooth, nice aromas, clean finito very pleasant. like it very vero much. Rated 7.1/10
ReplyDeleteI liked the Southern Tier last year and this year is no different. Delightful taste. Thoroughly enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteGrade: Banging on doors