2XIPA - Southern Tier Brewing Company

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2XIPA
Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: American Double / Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.20 %

Had at a special firkin tapping for Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week.

LOOK: Golden color, little head or lace. Perfect clarity and some carbonation bubbles rising lazily to the surface.

SMELL: Solid nose of orange and grapefruit, pine, earthy herb, honey baked bread, citrus oil.

TASTE: Balanced strong IPA with more citrus rind flavor, red ripe grapefruit and pine. The bitterness is restrained and there is a balance of the sweet malts and alcohol. Still, quite hoppy which is the best feature of this brew.

FEEL: The firkin really lended a softness to the feel, with a mild to low carbonation, and more or less clean finish.

OVERALL: A real treat of a beer, and I was happy to try it at the special tapping. It is almost as good on tap and in the bottle, but I must say this cask was the best 2XIPA that I have ever tasted.

Serving type: cask

04-29-2012 22:32:25 | More by Stinkypuss

ThickNStout

Georgia

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From notes. 1/12/12.
On cask at Wild Wing's (Marietta, GA) Southern Tier beer dinner. Served in a Souther Tier snifter. 

Thick pale gold w/ 1.5 finger pale head. Nice lacing. 

Muted sweet hop aroma. Citris. Mild onion. 

Great "dank" and citrisy hop explosion with a sweet malt backing. The cask gives it a long smooth sweet finish. 

Medium thick and mildly sticky. Gives a nice coating on the tongue. The cask conditioning makes it less carbonated than bottles I've had. 

I've enjoyed the bottles before but the cask takes this to a whole new level. Much smoother, thicker and sweeter. I could drink this all night. 

Serving type: cask

01-14-2012 21:48:07 | More by ThickNStout

abeerlovr

Florida

4.4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this served from a firkin poured into a standard pint glass. I saw the tapping of the firkin and this was the first pour. We knew of the tapping and got first in line :-)

A: nice clear golden yellow color, no head, not much carbonation due to this being served from a firkin...not hooked up to carbonation lines.

S: had a very mild citrus scent.

T: beautiful, does anyone call a beer beautiful. very well balanced for a double IPA; I expected over the top super hoppy, but his was not, the hop bitterness was more on the front of the mouth versus the back, smooth drink, not much on the way of carbonation.

M: refreshing, soft very soft carbonation.

Overall: I am glad I took the time out for a special tapping of a firkin. First time having this beer and I was impressed. I am not a big IPA drinker, but if more of them were as smooth as this one, I certainly could become a huge fan.

Serving type: cask

10-31-2011 18:47:51 | More by abeerlovr

musicforairports

New York

4.38/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Firkin at The Ruck in Troy, NY.

Very clear straw color, maybe a bit golden, with a small head that leaves some lacing. No bubbles.

Smells like a clean assortment of tropical fruit flavors, but not overwhelmingly so, with some sweeter, bready malt behind it.

Taste is lots of hop notes, largely tropical and with a bitter, citrus-peel quality. Definitely fresh. No malt.

Mouthfeel is light and clean and not very carbonated. Easy to drink.

Love this one. 2XIPA is once of the best East Coast IPAs when fresh, and I'm glad I found it on cask.

Serving type: cask

10-01-2011 03:21:48 | More by musicforairports

socon67

New York

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - The pour is light orange. Kinda light for a DIPA.

S - Notes of pine and a hop medley. There is some citrus but less than most of this type.

T - A more subdued DIPA. All the goodies are here but it is less overpowering than I'm used to. For some, this is a good thing.

M - Surprisingly mellow and for a medium bodied DIPA Southern Tier made a very drinkable beer. Easy ot have a few.

O - Maybe not my go to DIPA but I admire that this is a solid beer.

Serving type: cask

04-11-2011 17:28:25 | More by socon67

burnheartsMKE

Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tapped with a nice amount of carbonation. Pale color.

Smelled quite fresh and lively with a tropical fruit-forward nose.

Superbly drinkable. I actually had to tell myself to slow down. Light mouthfeel gave way to a refreshing, modest yet expertly hopped flavor. Well-blanced with a solid malt backbone.

One of the better cask ales I've had.

Serving type: cask

04-08-2011 06:08:43 | More by burnheartsMKE

joshbrink

Alabama

4.04/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Serving type: 12 oz bottle poured into IPA glass

A: Lighter golden color. Lighter than I would have expected for this style. Still pretty to look at. One finger head, left small amount of lacing on the side of the glass.

S: Definitely can smell the hoppy content of the beer. Noticed the aroma well before I poured it. Very nice citrus and grapefruit aroma. Some floral notes as well.

T: Moderately bitter. Not quite as much bitterness as i was hoping for. Slightly mislead by the great aroma. Slight caramel taste to it. Definitely taste the citrus, fruity flavors, some grapefruit. Masked the higher abv quite nicely.

M: Generally good carbonation. Mouthfeel was not disappointing. Medium body.

O: A good beer, but with so many other rather outstanding IPAs out there, this one may not be one i will go back for on a regular occasion, but definitely glad i grabbed a sixer of it. For I will definitely want more than one glass.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 15:56:01 | More by joshbrink

HerdNo1

West Virginia

4.49/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Slightly hazy golden color poured into a tulip glass. Most IPA's are more toward the amber side so this was a bit unexpected. A decent white head lingered and left fairly good laing

Aroma: Hops but not "knock your socks off" hops. Citrusy and pine notes dominate. There is just a touch of breadiness in the background but you have to really look for it.

Taste: Interesting intermingling of three things. The hops bitterness is both immediately apparent and it lingers at the end. At first, you don't find much malt sweetness but there is just a a bit and it fits in perfectly with what you got from the aroma. What is also going on in this beer is the alcohol. Unlike some DIPA's, the alcohol is not hidden in this beer and I think it serves to reduce what might be an otherwise undrinkable bitterness to a much more tolerable level.

Mouthfeel: Fairly light with medium carbonation but it lingers on the palate. I wouldn't say it has a sweet finish but it's definitely not dry.

Overall: This is a very nice DIPA. Too many are nothing but hops, hops, and more hops and so bitter they are simply intolerable. This has a nice intermingling of hops, a bit of malt, and some alcohol to compete with the hops. My only critique is that I would have liked a bit more hops on the nose.

BTW, if you pick up this beer, let it warm a bit. It is much more balanced and I find the malt asserting itself a bit more as the beer warms. I left it out of the fridge 30 minutes before I poured and it wouldn't have hurt to have left it out 10-15 more. Either it's getting better as it warms or I'm feeling the alcohol. :-)

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:09:09 | More by HerdNo1

karengarys

Indiana

3.16/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This pours rich clear yellow-gold with fairly large bubbles, minimal head.

Smells a bit off to me, skunk like, at least cold out of the bottle. Born less than 4 months ago and not in the light, but some beers just come off odd to me, my smeller picks up odd things. As it warmed it smelled better, floral and citrus, perhaps grapefruit.

taste is mostly hoppy - pine, and lemon peel. It has some sweet syrupy backbone I do enjoy, maple like but not really, and it is real subtle.

Mouthfeel isn't bad, the syrupy heft is nice and the bubbles provide a decent mouthfeel.

Overall, this is great if you are looking for over the top pine and hop. I guess if you are reaching for a 2xIPA that is what you are looking for. I just thought the type of bitter was a bit too sharp, not quite the aggressiveness I would be looking for. The odd nose put me off, but I was able to drink through that.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:13:16 | More by karengarys

heygeebee

Australia

3.09/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

From Jim's

Appearance - very light light for stlye - almost blonde/lagerish. Spotty lace.

Smell - Little. Bready malts. Slight hops.

Taste - Mango, Peach. Moderate hops. Little malt backbone.

Mouthfeel - lighty carbonated.

Overall - Strange beast, not a 2IPA or even close imho. Really lightweight, moderately hoppy, morwe like a Pale Ale than anything. Need a lot more than this for the ABV.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 07:40:13 | More by heygeebee

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A- pours a bright, slightly hazy golden-yellow with a small white head that reduces to leave a thin layer

S- lemon-grass with some piney hops, slightly soapy with some floral notes, grainy malt with just a bit if alcohol

T- pretty good balance for a DIPA, piney and floral hop flavors with some grainy-yet-sweet hop notes. The alcohol comes through on the finish and is quite sweet at the end

M- medium body with slightly syrupy mouthfeel, medium carbonation leads to a creamy mouthfeel with a bit if alcohol warmth at the end

O- more balanced than a typical DIPA and quite easy to drink, ABV is hidden pretty well, worth a try!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:13:50 | More by Treyliff

johnnieoz

California

2.36/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25

12oz bottle from six-pack, DOB 3-27-13

Coming from California, I feel fortunate to be enjoying great local TX brews as well as favorites from back home and others less available in the West from the East. For example, Firestone Walker & Ballast Point just arrived in TX ,and just yesterday I enjoyed a fresh Double Jack & some Pale 31, both bottled in March 2013. So you'd think, this newcomer would be comparable, but...

A: As others have noted, this beer looks like like a bad lager. Unfortunately, this is the best part of this bottling. Average.

S: I'm getting nothing here - aromas are comparable to Session Lager or Edison, ie diplomatically low key and certainly not DIPA caliber. Corn?

T: Bitter does not a DIPA maketh. There are hops in there somewhere - "4 varieties of hops & 3 types of malts" per the box, but which ones? - A mess...

M: Nothing wrong here, but the lack of balance nearly makes it a drain pour.

O: I hope I'm reviewing a badly kept or sub-par batch of this beer. I've enjoyed other Southern Tier ales - inc Unearthly & Pumking while based in DC - but this is just not a good tasting brew.

The un-icing on the cake is the fact that Firestone's Pale 31 (opened for comparison) was not only tastier but hoppier. StArnoldFan (another TX BA who review this bottling) offers a second, equally unfavorable opinion. Southern Tier, please advise.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:39:15 | More by johnnieoz

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Very pale yellow with a lot of carbonation that feeds a fluffy white head. The appearance is cheap.

The scent is very lively with sweet fruity hops. Touches of piney floralness, the aroma is sweet with honey and orange.

I get honey on the tongue with sweet citrusy hops. Malty back bone and little bits of pine resin this is exceptionally easy to drink.

Overall, I very impressed with this IPA as it seems to fit in my preferences for the type.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:03:06 | More by KYGunner

StArnoldFan

Texas

3.61/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle from 6 pack dated 3/27/13

Well I have to start out by saying I was really excited to hear Southern Tier would be making its way to Texas. It's here, and 2x was my 1st 6 pack to pick up. I'll start out by saying I'm very disappointed. It pours a piss yellow with a finger of white head. Much more yellow than to be expected from a DIPA. It smells heavy of corn, not sure what is going on there?? The taste is alright but I've had so many DIPA's that put this to shame. This is my 1st offering from a new brewery that Texas now has distro to, and I hope there is better to follow.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 23:44:13 | More by StArnoldFan

tbryan5

Louisiana

4.39/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to griffeyb for sending me this one.

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter.

It pours a hazy almost amber color with a medium head that dissipates quickly leaving a nice amount of splotchy lacing. The bread and malts hit your nose up front and then the hops come through nicely after. It is not quite as hoppy as I expected since it is a IIPA but still damn good. A medium amount of carbonation with this guy. Overall, I really enjoyed this brew. If I could get it near me I would definitely pick up more.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 17:19:30 | More by tbryan5

acevenom

Louisiana

3.79/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a glass mug. The beer pours golden with a minimal white head and lots of visible tiny bubbles rising in the beer. There's a light aroma of hops. There's citrus and pine with some bready malt in the background. The taste absolutely follows the nose. The citrus and piney hops are forward with some sweetness and breadiness from the malt. It's very straightforward. The alcohol is also there in the flavor. The body is medium with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is pretty smooth and a bit sweet on the finish. This is a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 04:02:35 | More by acevenom

rangerred

Tennessee

3.63/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear darkish gold with a half finger white head that fades away rather quickly. Just a few splotches of foam left on top of the beer with a couple wisps of lacing.

Aroma of pine, some overripe citrus, and a little dankness. There is also a little caramel sneaking through that I can pick up. The aroma is quite weak overall and unimpressive.

The taste is also quite underwhelming. There is a lot of dankness along with overripe citrus, very similar to the aroma, and equally as weak. The hop flavors are really quite fleeting and are gone midway through the sip. Overripe citrus is present with a little light citrus lingering on faintly. Bitterness is only moderate but does do well hiding the alcohol. Mouthfeel is full with a slightly sticky finish.

Overall, I was a little disappointed by this brew. The hops are just way too weak and this was only a couple months past the bottling date. Boost the hop flavor and this beer would be worlds better.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:31:18 | More by rangerred

GoldHorde

Minnesota

2.89/5  rDev -28.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Before I wrote this review - I double checked the other reviews to make sure I was rating the same beer. My review here is NOT so much about the performance of this beer as the perceptions of the other reviewers. I am convinced the others who rated this beer do NOT know what a Double IPA is OR perhaps they have not had a good/great one. I am willing to be ravaged here - if you slay me wrong.

After all, it was labeled as a 2X-IPA. Maybe it spoiled in the bottle BUT this beer falls CLEARLY into the Belgian Ale category. It's sour notes have no place in the IPA category - everything about it screams "Belgian Ale!". As I did take a Silver Medal in competition against 400+ others in the Belgian Ale style - I should be allowed a sharp opinion here.

I would give this beer a MUCH HIGHER rating if it were listed as a Belgian Ale. However, I purchased it because I am a hophead - preferring strong snorts of IPA's and 2xIPA's.

POUR/APPEARANCE: Clear gold.
AROMA: Sour musk.
HEAD: One finger fading.
FLAVOR: Sour malt and heavy malty aftertaste

Absolutely nothing wrong with this beer - if you are after a great Belgian Ale.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 06:01:40 | More by GoldHorde

JaredM

New York

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Super clear, golden straw yellow color. Almost looks like a macro. Good carbonation. Doesn't look like a lot of double IPAs and I'm a bit turned off the look.

S: Dank, citrus hop smell with a bit of pine going on. Smells a lot better than it looks.

T: Tastes just like it smells. More of the pine comes through on the taste rather than the smell. Has a syrupy quality from the hop resins and the sweetness from the malt comes in near the end but it's ultimately capped off with hop bitterness. Pretty refreshing though can start to get some of the booziness after a few sips.

M: Medium bodied. I could see this getting more syrupy as it warms up. I'm drinking it straight out of the fridge.

O: Was bottled on 3/7/13 so pretty fresh. I'll be honest, I don't like this nearly as much as their regular IPA. I would pick up the IPA over the 2XIPA if they were next to each other. I'd also note that this would probably be best not as your first beer of the night but maybe your 2nd or 3rd.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 00:33:10 | More by JaredM

TeamMathis

West Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear. Looks like apple juice.
Smell: Grapefruit.
Taste: Liquid, carbonated grapefruit.
Mouthfeel: Carbonated.

Both the smell and the taste are refreshing. It is quite carbonated. The hops are not overly bitter, but provide a carbonated, grapefruit experience. This is a very good IPA, but really a lot less hoppy/bitter than most double IPAs. It's more of a good American IPA than a double. I would probably get this again for a hot, summer day...or to introduce someone to American IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 03:21:39 | More by TeamMathis

BeerZack

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear golden with persistent white head. Dank hoppy smells of spicy onion and pine resin. The flavor follows through pretty much the same with dank hops taking the leading role and the pale malt just supporting. Somewhat refreshing and drinkable when cold, but like drinking sticky hop resin as it warms. Pretty good either way.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 05:24:48 | More by BeerZack

dionito

Washington

3.3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served from a 12oz. bottle into a pint glass. DOB 11/29/2012 - This tells me it probably wasn't at its best, actually it was not very good at all

A: beautiful very clear light copper with good head and decent retention. Can read through it without problem.

S: green apples, kind of cidery smell. I was not at all expecting this. The apple covers everything.

T: apple is not there, neither cider, but it's not hoppy or malty either. Very disappointing.

M: medium light body with nice carbonation. Nothing to complain here.

O: I think this one went bad for some reason. I will be picking another bottle the first opportunity I have and will drink it right away.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 02:34:01 | More by dionito

Mojo

Alabama

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle -> World Market tulip glass

This beer pours up a clear medium gold with a one and one half finger head, not much retention, but a moderate amount of lacing. The smell is floral and citrus, sort of understated, but there nonetheless. Taste is where this really shines. It has that nice massive grapefruit flavor followed by a satisfying bitterness. Mouthfeel is nice with a decent amount of carbonation. Alas I only had one bottle of this. I'd drink more if I had them.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 02:27:55 | More by Mojo

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

4.46/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours golden with white head in new DFH IPA glass.

Great lemon, grapefruit and pine notes.

Taste is grapefruit, pine and sweet malts. Nice bitterness lingers on the palate.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and nicely carbonated.

Overall this is an excellent DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 01:05:01 | More by TrappistJohnMD

CaptMaelstrom

Tennessee

4.61/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into a glass.

A: Bright gold, very transparent, head subsided quickly, sticky lacing remaining.

S: Light, refreshing, floral and lemony hop notes. A very slight malt note also comes through.

T: I'm not sure I can taste all 4 hop varieties. In fact, I might classify this as a IPA if I didn't know better. That being said, this beer is very good and very well balanced. There's just enough malt character to hold up the big florally bitter hop taste. Starts off more sweet, but as you sip and get the aftertaste, a clean bitterness overpowers the sweetness. I could drink this all day long.

M: Perfectly carbonated. Refreshing and sparky, slightly sticky, ever so slightly oily. I don't taste any of the 8.2% ABV either.

O: Great beer, if not really what I would describe a DIPA. I can't tell which hops they used, but they mingle together very well. Also, I believe they used just enough malt to really balance this beer out. Try this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 17:52:34 | More by CaptMaelstrom