Here's the 411 on Southern Tier's 422 Pale Wheat Ale

Sometimes when sitting at a bar and staring at the different beer taps, you just get a gut feeling there's a beer you want to try. This is how I came across Southern Tier's 422 Pale Wheat Ale. It's a beer that is light enough to enjoy in the summer, but flavorful enough to pair with meals throughout the year. It might not have a catchy name, but once you try Southern Tier's 422 Pale Wheat Ale you won't forget it the next time you are at the bar or liquor store.

Appearance: This beer is a beautiful pour, It's a vibrant golden color with an average sized head. The head dissipates slowly, crowning the golden brew with a white crown. The golden hue of the beer can match the color of hay in the fall or the sun in the summer. The beer is light and only leaves minimal lacing on the glass as you drink the beer. Definitely an above average appearance, scoring eight out of ten points.

Aroma: Souther Tier's 422 Pale Wheat Ale reminds you of a fruit basket when you breathe in the aroma. It's not overpowering, but a soft whisper of citrus such as lemon and oranges along with other fruits such as banana and pineapple. The aroma can compete with aromas of tropical summer mixed drinks others may be enjoying at your table. Scores a perfect five out of five points for aroma.

Taste: Sometimes the flavors of a beer can overpower your palate. While Southern Tier's 422 Pale Wheat Ale comes close to that, it knows just when to stop. The citrus flavors hit your taste buds up front with a little bit of tartness. The finish of the beer has flavor that is a combination of banana and bubble gum that lingers but does not overwhelm your palate. The fruit flavors are toned down just enough that the sweetness of the beer is subtle, scoring eight out of 10 points.

Mouth Feel: This is a beer that while it feels thin, does not feel oily or watery. There is just enough carbonation in the beer to add a little body to the beer as you consume it. Overall it just feels like a clean beer, maybe not perfect but awful close gets it four out of five points in this category.

Drinkability: For someone that traditionally enjoys heavy dark beers more than light beers, Southern Tier's 422 Pale Wheat Ale has a convert here. The flavors mix perfectly in this beer. It's one you can find yourself sitting on a dock watching the sun set very easily. Just as easily it's a beer you can enjoy in the fall or spring after an afternoon of working in the yard. It even works for those of you that prefer light beers over stouts and porters in the winter, as it pairs well with a nice hearty meal or chocolate dessert to finish your meal. Scores 19 out of 20 points for drinkability.

Summary: 44 out of 50 points tells you what you need to know about the 422 Pale Wheat Ale from Southern Tier. That scores 4.4 in a classic beer scoring system. Anything above 4.5 is considered a world class beer, for a small microbrewery like Southern Tier to have a beer that close speaks volumes about the beer. This is a beer that is affordable and should be a staple in your beer selection list at bars and home alike.