“The antithesis of Unearthly.” That is how Southern Tier Brewing describes Iniquity, their imperial black ale, referring to their imperial IPA called Unearthly. The reference is not inappropriate. Iniquity is a style bending beer that blurs the line between imperial IPA and Russian imperial stout. It’s bitter like the IPA with distinctly American hops. It’s big, black, and chocolaty like the imperial stout, but without the thick, heavy mouthfeel that one usually finds in that style. I find with most beers from Southern Tier that they are either superb or superbly flawed. Again, this one lies somewhere in the middle, neither great, nor horrible. It inhabits that blurry area in more ways than one. Here’s my notes.

Iniquity
Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood , New York
Style: Specialty Ale (Imperial Black Ale)
Serving Style: 22 oz Bottle

Aroma: Chocolate, roast, and pine tree. Slight alcohol is apparent.
Appearance: Dark brown and clear. Almost black. Clear. Little to no head. Fine film of tan head was all that I was able to raise.
Flavor: Crisp and assertive bitterness is the first sensation. This is followed by a flood of chocolate malt, a bit Hershy’s™-syrup-like, but in a good way. Reminds me of the Choklat Stout from the same brewery but not quite as intense. Hop flavor is pronounced with a mostly pine resin character and hints of citrus. Light sweet alcohol, but not hot. Long finish that lingers on chocolate after one last burst of bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Rich and creamy, but not so thick as a Russian Imperial Stout. Medium-low carbonation could have been stepped up a bit. Some alcohol warmth.
Overall Impression: While I wouldn’t turn it away, this beer is not really my cup of tea. I am not a fan of the combination of roasted malt flavors with heavy doses of citrus/pine American hops. What I did like about this beer was the crisp quality of the bitterness. It has a sharp, clean character like one might find in a great English IPA.