SBT: Butterbeer

On the Third day of Christmas, SBT sent me this iced tea!

I was excited to try this one, because I loved the original (52Teas version) of the Butterbeer so I was anxious to see how well the iced tea version held up.

It’s still good, but not quite as good as the 52Teas version … although I suspect that might have more to do with the fact that I had originally cold-brewed this tea. The hot-brewed resteep was better than the first cold-brew. Fortunately, I do have another pouch of this tea so the next time I brew it, I’ll hot-brew it right from the start.

In the meantime, I’m not going to rate this one. I’ll hold off on that for a time when I have the opportunity to steep my second pouch of the tea.

Here’s my full-length review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2013/12/27/third-day-christmas-southern-boy-teas-edition/

This review isn’t going to be very detailed, I’m afraid, as I had this one ages ago and forgot to review it at the time. I also left it in the fridge uncovered, and after the first couple of cups it started to taste like fridge. From what I remember, though, it tasted fairly similar to root beer tea, and I couldn’t much tell the difference. I’m not a big fan of root beer, so that’s affected my judgement a bit. Still, I remember it being pretty decent.

Sipdown! (4/174)

Today’s iced tea for work. This one got the usual SBT treatment (3 minutes in a quarter pint of boiling water, topped up with cold and into the fridge overnight). I’ve tried the 52 Teas version of Butterbeer previously in one of the 12 Teas of Christmas boxes, and I’ve got an unopened pouch of a reblend in my cupboard. I liked it well enough, which is why I was eager to give the SBT version a try!

This is best fridge cold, when the buttery flavour seems to come out best. It seems odd to say that about Butterbeer, which should be hot and foaming, and wonderfully warming, but there it is! The flavour actually reminds me of a Werther’s Original, or some kind of butter toffee sweet. The main flavour is an almost caramelised, buttery sweetness, with the underlying flavour of chicory. There’s something a little root beery about it, although it’s definitely more caramel and butter than vanilla ice cream.

Fandom blends are a lovely thing, and this one is a thoughtful tribute to Butterbeer. I’d like to try the Adagio version one day, but I’m happy with this one for now. What I’m also looking forward to is being able to drink my reblend pouch brewed hot again in the winter, while pretending I’m not actually at work but in the Three Broomsticks. Yup, that’ll work.

Omg this is so GOOD! It is a bit bitter, but the flavouring is so good that I don’t even care! Yum yum yum.

My DT order came today. And I missed it. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. So now I have to wait until tomorrow to get it (didn’t know post office is open on weekends??) Mailman, why you come so early? You always come at like 4pm. Why can’t you just work around my schedule? Boo.

Bah, it’s ok. At least this is delish and is making me forget about that.

Steeped up half the package again. This time in 1.5 cups hot water for 4 minutes, then diluted with ice and room temp water to 3.5 cups.

This is way better than the almond milk, although it’s a bit on the bitter side of things.

I think I’m just going to cold steep these going forward. It’s easier, although not as fast, and produces a more mellow base.

(Edit: I can always hot steep after to suck any remaining goodness out of the tea. :) )