Beer of the Week

The beer: Cherry Pie Imperial Ale

The brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, New York

Description (from the website): "Southern Tier is thrilled to partner for Year 3 with our WNY neighbor, Perry’s Ice Cream! Our newest Imperial Ale is inspired by one of Perry’s newest flavors: Cherry Pie. With notes of tart cherry, sweet vanilla, and rich, flakey crust, Southern Tier’s Cherry Pie brings all the deliciousness STBC is famous for!"

Would I buy it again? The balance on this particular beer is excellent. You get the tart cherry, but there's also a creamy vanilla taste as well as a bit of breadiness. Basically, this is another quality imperial ale from the experts in the field. I'd happily buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Platter's Chocolate Hazelnut Porter

The brewery: Ellicottville Brewing Company, Little Valley, New York

Description (from the website): "Brewed with our friends at Platter's Chocolate Factory - a rich and elegant porter with creamy nutty sweetness, roasted malt, & waves of decadent chocolate."

Would I buy it again? Chocolate and hazelnut is a classic combo, and it only makes sense to mix them together in a beer. And surprise, surprise, it works really well in this beer. It's not too difficult to drink but still has plenty of flavor to it. And it's not hoppy at all. I'd happily drink this again.