Yes, another “gimmicky” beer this week. People keep making great gimmick beers, I’ll keep picking’ em!
Although they make IPA’s and the occasional lager, Southern Tier is mostly known for its sweet, and highly alcoholic pumpkin beers, Pumking and Warlock, Creme Brûlée, and 2X Stout. This weeks choice follows the pattern already set. Part of their Girl Scout cookie themed series, Thick Mint is as it sounds, their spin on the Thin Mint cookie.
Thin mints are my favorite Girl Scout cookie and I ate my share of them (boxes, that is) over the years. That sharp mint cream, the sweet, burnt chocolate cookie covered in a slightly waxy tasting dark chocolate make me salivate and look for the nearest glass of milk. This beer does all of that, and with a super smooth, yet punch-packing 10% abv.
Part of their Blackwater Series, this one has to be the best I’ve had. The Creme Brûlée was this first and is good for about 4 oz., then the coyingly sweet alcohol tends to get overwhelming. The Choklat Orange, Salted Carmel, and Choklat stouts are ok, but to me, the flavors always seem a little flat and artificial. Not with the Thick Mint. I have yet to try the Samoa so I can’t speak to it’s flavor.
Rich and creamy, Thick Mint pours a viscous, dark chocolate/motor oil black, leaving a dark brown head. The aroma is sweet, chocolaty and minty with a whiff of alcohol. The flavor is exquisite. Again, like the aroma, rich and full of toasty, roasty malt (almost coffee, but not quite). That particular spike of Girl Scout Cookie mint, and as I mentioned earlier, that slightly artificial/waxy chocolate coating. All blend together to make this a warming, adult version of the cookie I loved as a child (but better!)
If you’re over the age of 21, like your beers thick, sweet, and tasty (and 10%), this is the perfect, and I mean Perfect, dessert beer. Well done Southern Their!
Cheers!
p.s. Probably the best part is it’s packaged in 12oz bottles so you don’t have to find someone to split a bomber or cancel any other beer plans for the night.
