Southern Tier Warlock 4-Pack is an 8.6% ABV imperial stout brewed with pumpkins, sold as a 4-pack of 12 oz bottles from Southern Tier Brewing Company. Scoring 89 on BeerAdvocate across more than 3,300 ratings, Warlock has earned a loyal seasonal following as one of the more ambitious pumpkin stouts on the American craft market.Quick Facts: ABV: 8.6% | Origin: Lakewood, New York, USA | Style: Imperial Pumpkin Stout | Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing CompanyProduction & HeritageSouthern Tier Brewing Company was founded in 2002 in Lakewood, New York, in the southwestern corner of the state near Lake Erie. Warlock is built on a grain bill featuring 2-row pale malt, Munich malt, flaked barley, debittered black malt, crystal malt (60 °L), chocolate malt, and pumpkin puree — a complex foundation designed to deliver both roasted depth and genuine pumpkin character. Originally part of Southern Tier's Blackwater Series of high-gravity beers at 10.0% ABV, the recipe was reformulated in 2017 to its current 8.6% ABV, shifting the balance slightly toward drinkability while retaining the stout's dense, layered profile.Tasting NotesAroma: Roasted malts dominate the nose, followed by layers of dark chocolate, coffee, and raisin. Pumpkin pie spice emerges behind the malt backbone, with subtle clove and nutmeg rounding out the aromatics.Taste: The entry is heavily roasted, with coffee and chocolate malt flavors coating the palate immediately. At mid-palate, actual pumpkin pie character surfaces alongside warm baking spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice — before hints of vanilla and raisin add sweetness without cloying. The body is medium to full, with a slightly resinous, sticky texture and moderate carbonation.Finish: The finish lingers with a slightly burnt char and residual pumpkin spice warmth. Roasted bitterness provides a dry counterpoint that keeps the sweetness in check.How to Drink WarlockWarlock is best served at cellar temperature (50–55°F) in a snifter or tulip glass, which concentrates its complex aromatics. Pouring too cold mutes the pumpkin spice and chocolate layers. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try these approaches: a Pumpkin Stout Float — poured over vanilla bean ice cream, where the roasted malt and pumpkin spice play off the cream; a Black Velvet variation — blended with dry sparkling cider to lighten the body and amplify the autumnal spice; or a Warlock Affogato — poured warm over espresso gelato for a decadent dessert pairing that leverages the stout's coffee and chocolate notes.Best For Fall and Halloween gatherings where a bold, thematic beer sets the tone Gifting to a craft beer enthusiast who collects seasonal releases Pairing with a Thanksgiving dessert course Side-by-side tasting alongside Southern Tier Pumking to compare the stout and ale interpretations Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Warlock taste like? Warlock delivers a dominant roasted malt and dark chocolate character layered with pumpkin pie spice, coffee, and hints of vanilla and raisin. It drinks rich and full-bodied with moderate carbonation and a dry, slightly charred finish.How does Warlock compare to Pumking? Pumking is Southern Tier's imperial pumpkin ale — lighter in color, sweeter, and more overtly spiced — while Warlock is its stout counterpart, built around roasted malts, dark chocolate, and coffee with the pumpkin taking a supporting role. The two were designed as complementary expressions of the same seasonal concept, and many fans purchase both for direct comparison.Is Warlock good for sipping on its own? Warlock is an excellent sipping beer when served at cellar temperature in a proper glass, as the 8.6% ABV and dense flavor profile reward slow, contemplative drinking.Where is Warlock made? Warlock is brewed at Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood, New York, a small city in Chautauqua County in the western part of the state near Lake Erie.What foods pair well with Warlock? Pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake mirrors the stout's spice profile directly. Dark chocolate truffles complement the roasted malt and cocoa notes. Smoked barbecue ribs stand up to the beer's intensity and match its slight char. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with savory tang. Pecan pie works well, as the nutty caramel echoes the malt sweetness.What sizes does Warlock come in? Warlock is widely available in a 4-pack of 12 oz bottles, its standard seasonal retail format.Is Warlock worth the price? Warlock positions as a premium seasonal craft stout, priced in line with other imperial-strength specialty releases. For drinkers who value complex, high-ABV pumpkin stouts with legitimate depth beyond simple spice gimmickry, it represents strong value within the seasonal craft beer category.Why Warlock?Warlock stands apart from the crowded pumpkin beer field by anchoring its pumpkin character in a genuine imperial stout framework — the roasted malts, chocolate, and coffee come first, with the pumpkin and spice woven through rather than pasted on top. Its grain bill is unusually complex for the style, incorporating six distinct malts plus pumpkin puree, which gives it structural depth that many seasonal pumpkin beers lack. The 89 BeerAdvocate score and over 160,000 Untappd ratings confirm its reputation as one of the more respected entries in the category. For anyone tired of one-dimensional pumpkin ales, Warlock is the dark side of autumn brewing done with real ambition.
