2XIPA - Southern Tier Brewing Company

chinchill

South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

20 oz pint from tap
Brewer says this is "Not quite an imperial, but certainly not a standard India pale ale."

A - Clear, golden amber. Creamy, off-white head; coats sides of glass and has good retention

S - Weedy/herbal but clean and fresh hops. Hops. More hops.

T - somewhat complex with barley malt (?) evident. Intense hop shot with piney/orange/grapefruit hop finish that includes some maltiness.

M - smooth; good carbonation

D - too hoppy and bitter for high volume consumption, but then this is a beer to be savored slowly.
For hop lovers only. Like drinking the essence of fresh hops, magically made palatable.

(Lightly revised after June 2013 revisit).

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 04:29:52 | More by chinchill

gopens44

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - beautiful thick frothy head taking space above a perfectly golden brew. Crystal clear.

S - very vibrant floral presence with a rich hoppy malt smell

T - much like the nose, the taste is rich with hops and dandelion type floral happiness. A touch of sweetness in the background balances the bitter.

M - medium to well carbonated yet silky and pleasant. Little bit of aftertaste, but not overwhelming.

I would take this over 90 Minute (90 Minute is great, but this is a touch better). Very drinkable, and the high ABV is not an issue at all. You only notice the warmth a little while after drinking it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2010 22:18:25 | More by gopens44

SkunkWorks

New York

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap October 9, 2010 at Bobbique in Patchogue, NY. Served in a pint glass.

Look: slightly hazy, slightly orange with a decent egg shelled colored head and some lacing.

Smell: lots of floral and citrus hops.

Taste: follows the nose nicely. Lots of citrus hop flavors and some malt in the finish. I didn't taste the alcohol at all. Its not as intensely hopped as you would expect from a DIPA.

Feel: very crisp and refreshing. Medium bodied and just the right amount of carbonation.

Drink: very easy drinking. I could drink a few of these in a sitting!

Overall, its a solid beer. Aside from the ABV though it doesn't feel like a DIPA so you might be disappointed if you're craving something disgustingly bitter. Its still worth a try and I recommend you give it one.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2010 15:28:14 | More by SkunkWorks

ToasterChef

Maine

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

Reviewed from my notes. The beer has a golden orange color and a white foam head. Within the liquid I can see a a few clumps of bubbles clinging to the sides of my glass, as well as a lot of rising streams of carbonation. After a short while, this tapers off to just a few bubbles making their way upward. The aroma features some warm pine hops and some malt in the back. The flavor has a good hop presence that is better but not excessive. Before the hops kick in, I can taste some pale malts. Hop oils and warm alcohol are on display in the finish and linger on. It's a full bodied beer with plenty of carbonation and bitter flavors to feel on my tongue. There is some coating, but it isn't very sticky. It is very drinkable though, considering the style. I could handle a 12oz bottle or two of this in an evening. I wouldn't want much more than that, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to another pair the next day, after my pallet recovered.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2010 12:05:01 | More by ToasterChef

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's last Saturday.

Pours a light gold bordering on yellow. Nice white head in the tulip and large amounts of lacing as it makes its way down. Promising start but the nose is a big letdown. With a name like 2XIPA, I'm expecting something big and bold. This brings a bit of citrus and grass, but nothing over the top. Taste is the same, although the bitterness levels are pretty high. Not much malt and very little actual hop flavor apart from the bitterness; not sire what they were going for here. Mouthfeel is dry and slightly alcoholic. Good drinkability as I like me some resin with my lunch, but nothig spectacular.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2010 12:18:35 | More by Thorpe429

thain709

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A bright, golden kissed, copper body...a creamy, two finger, white head which showed decent retention...good lacing

S - A big, West Coast nose...with lots of citrus (grapefruit, mango, orange)...malt provides a strong backbone

T - The taste is a little subdued from the nose...upon first sip your mouth is filled with all the citrus flavors and I think this is going to be a great beer...after following sips the citrus really subsided and the malt takes over more...don't get me wrong the hops are still there...they are sweet upfront and finish bitter...the malt is a nice balance

M - Medium bodied...the carbonation was spot on...no alcohol...dry

D - I enjoyed this IIPA from Southern Tier and I'm happy to see they put one in 12 oz. bottles...this is an affordable IIPA that isn't bad to have around

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2010 10:54:43 | More by thain709

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Mostly clear golden orange with a thin white head that has little retention, but good lacing.

S - Big pine hops up front, and some more citrusy, orange peel hops on the back.

T - Citrusy hops, sweet malt undertones, and resinous pine hops in the finish.

M - Medium body, maybe a little thin, but has ample carbonation, sticky mouthfeel, with a nice dry finish. Not very harsh at all from the hops, with little lingering pine bitterness.

D - Very drinkable, with the hops offering a lot of taste with very little harshness on the palate. Nice balance of sweet caramelly malts.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2010 22:46:57 | More by garuda

glid02

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Porter Beer Bar in Atlanta.

Pours a light copper color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of pale malts with large amounts of bright tropical fruit and citrus hop aromas. As it warms slight amounts of herbal hops waft out as well.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Crisp pale malt flavors kick things off and are joined shortly by large amounts of citrus and tropical fruit hop flavors. Midway through the sip the hop flavors turn toward the sweeter side of things just a bit, carrying through to a solidly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this beer, although admittedly I shouldn't be as almost all of ST's big beers are top notch. A very good but not quite world class DIPA that's well worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2010 00:37:54 | More by glid02

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a bright golden-orange color with two fingers of foamy white head.

There is not much in the way of a scent, really only faint hops.

The taste was dominated by dry bitter hops. There was a little citrus in the aftertaste.

Light bodied, smooth and crisp, perfect carb.

Though this was a drinkable beer, I thought it was lacking the flavor and aroma for an IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2010 17:59:38 | More by BeerCon5

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clean yellow color with orange hints, with a white head. In the aroma, grapefruity citrus hops. In the taste, HOPS, mostly a grapefruity citrus but ending with a pine like hop. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry pine like hop aftertaste. Nice big hops, mix of grapefruit and pine. Hides the 8%, and quite nice.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2010 14:18:44 | More by OWSLEY069

zoso1967

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer arrives at my table your standard IPA medium amber color with a very attractive and sticky looking head that leaves excellent lace on the sides of the glass. The aroma is wonderful. Pine, grapefruit and just enough malt sweetness to bring out the fruity notes. Exactly what I am looking for in a double. I take a sip and am immediately impressed. Plenty of bitter grapefruit, pine, citrus pith and lemon zest assault my tongue. There is a nice spice character in there as well that really brightens up the flavors. There seems to be a major bitter component going on here, but an ample amount of pale biscuity malt is there to hold it all up. Very balanced, yet still doing a great job of showcasing the hops. Medium bodied with a great, dry finish and ample carbonation. 2X goes down very easily, which is good news because it is not only delicious, but fairly affordable as well.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 22:48:03 | More by zoso1967

dandrews74

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - This beer poured like a double IPA - thin due to the higher % alcohol. Most of the opaqueness was filtered out and it had an off-white head with average sustainability. It had a nice golden honey color and average carbonation.

Smell - This is where this beer hits a home run! Hops, hops and more hops. Citrus (grapefruit, lime/orange zest), with hints of earthy/grassy and floral undertones...this is what most IPA/2IPA beers strive to deliver. One of my favorites.

Taste - The beer's flavors are similar to the nose but with a touch of sweetness. Great balance for a all you hop lovers. A well balanced and a very delicious 2(X)IPA.

Mouthfeel/ Drinkability - It drinks more like an IPA...Easier than most doubles. A bit thiner, and touch more carbonation than expected make this a very enjoyable beer. Would I buy again? I just bought a case!!!

Other - Serve in a tulip or snifter to really enjoy the hops aroma and serve at the temperature you prefer a pale ale or standard IPA (a few degrees cooler than a thicker, heartier 2IPA) for maximum enjoyment.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2010 02:19:44 | More by dandrews74

Chico1985

Massachusetts

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

On-tap at Sierra Grille, been wanting to try this.

Poured hazy golden orange with a 2-finger or so white head. Retains pretty well, ends up a cap and leaves some lacing.

Nice fruity IPA smell. Citrus, lemon, some tropical notes, floral hops with a nice malt backbone.

Taste doesn't quite match up to the smell (how many times has this happened in IPAs..) but it is good. The citrus is still there, the rest is replaced mostly with piny hops, the malt and hops are balanced nicely. Alcohol is well-hidden.

A surprisingly balanced offer from Southern Tier. A tasty easy-drinking double ipa.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2010 15:29:10 | More by Chico1985

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On-Tap at Whole Foods in a pint glass. Glad to find this as is besides a oldish bottle.

Southern Tier 2XIPA pours out a bright golden yellow color but surprisingly not even a little foam on top, just some miniscule bubbles, so no lace. Pretty still beer but a nice shade to it.

Smells malty and screams East Coast. There is a small portion of grapefruit and other tropics but that sweet malt overshadows anything there. A small amount of alcohol though. For what it's worth there is no grassy scents.

And it goes to show that the east does not compare in this category. This is malt forward with some sweet bubblegum and sweet bready malt. Mixed in some tropics, grapefruit, slight orange. A bit of alc in the end and a lingering sweetness.

Not all that bitter, in fact it's not bitter at all. I need some bite here. A big medium body that lightly coats and stings on the end with the alc. I figured this would have some edge off the tap, naw pretty tame.

Glad I tried this off the tap than risking a bottle. It's far from my least favorite DIPA (stoudt's DIPA) but it's not in the same league as others. With so many choices in this category I can say Im starting to really notice the lacking ones here and there.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2010 02:15:12 | More by onix1agr

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

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

Draft from Fathead's.

A-pours a slightly haze light orangish amber with a tiny bit of pure white head.

S-the nose is quite hoppy with little malt, but present. lightly toasted malt, tons of pine with notes of citrus hops, grapefruits and tangerine.

T-the taste is bigger than the nose, lightly toasted malt makes a small presence, the pine is strong with a light citrus hop flavor in the back with tastes of grapefruits and tangerine. the finish is moderately bitter lingering for a moment.

M-smooth and syrupy with a medium body and a good carbonation, slick on the back of the throat and slightly dry.

D-this is tasty, hop bomb with a great feel and nice finish. clean and tasty!

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2010 00:29:16 | More by cpetrone84

Stigs

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - dark golden, slightly amber colored beer with half an inch of frothy off-white foam which sticks around for awhile, leaving sticky lacing down the whole glass.

S - heavy on the fruity hops with melon, cantaloupe, pineapples. some alcohol heat and a mild caramel malt settles behind, but this is all about fruity and juicy hops. sniffed this as long as it was in my glass.

T - very tasty bright fresh pineapple, melon, orange flavors with a subtle grassy note. bitterness comes through in the second half by the way of more piney and grassy hops. malts are there as a base but dont steal an attention. quite yummy.

M - medium bodied and very creamy, oily and smooth going down. just a faint (but pleasant) alcohol burn at the swallow, with moderate carbonation.

D - what can I say, so far my surprise beer of the year, especially considering I'm not a huge fan of Southern Tier's other IPA's...this one drinks like the finest out of the west. cant complain about drinkability as I easily threw down 3 of these at happy hour. wonderful beer. need more.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2010 02:01:15 | More by Stigs

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a mostly clear copper color with a head of moderate size, sheets of sticky lacing. Scent is predominately grapefruit with some notes of pine, tangerine, plus earthy and spicy hops. Nutty, toasted bread scents from the malt. Taste is of grapefruit, with the other hop flavors as noted in the scent, a fair bit of alcohol and only moderate bitterness, the backbone is of a toasted bread like malt and is pretty prevalent on the finnish. Medium body, oily without much lingering aftertastes. A decent dIPA that is not as aggressive as many in the style with a somewhat unique toasty malt flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2010 13:25:14 | More by rfgetz

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Brass Rail Deli on 6/21/10.

A - Clear golden, light amber-toned liquid with slow-rising bubbles of carbonation and a fluffy dollop of creamy white foam on top that transformed into a thick web of lace all around the glass.

S - Citrusy hops with some adjacent pine and resin notes here and there, as well as a fairly potent waft of alcohol. Sweet caramel and toffee notes balance the assertive hop nose. Strong, pungent and hop-forward.

T - Alcohol is apparent but doesn't seem to cross the line outside of DIPA territory. Hops dominate the initial flavor, although a toasted grainy malt character emerges in the backend to balance the finish nicely, although a resiny hop bite and slight alcohol sting accompany the grainy finish.

M - Medium bodied with a sticky, oily mouthfeel and plenty of alcohol warmth on the palate, although it never gets too warm. Bitterness lingers for a bit.

D - Very nice attempt at a West Coast DIPA with lots of citrus flavor. I typically feel that Southern Tier's small bottle releases are mediocre to good, but this one was excellent (even though I had it on tap). Good stuff!

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2010 19:44:47 | More by ffejherb

UDbeernut

New York

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap into a pint glass

A: amber gold in color, nice 1/2" foamy head with good retention

S: sweet caramel malt backbone with nice piney hop aroma slightly floral and citrus

T: and over flow of pine and citrus hops but not overly bitter. Nice balance from slight caramel malt

M&D: butter mouth mixed with slightly cutting hops. Very drinkable for such abv.

Good in summer heat, I suspect it will be better in fall and spring.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2010 20:54:54 | More by UDbeernut

regspeir

Pennsylvania

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

draft into a tulip @ Capones.
Poured a golden amber with a one-finger white head which settle to a coating but staying around until I finished this. Lacing was lighter but present throughout as well. Nose was piney hops and citrus. Tasting revealed a well-balanced IPA - citrus (grapefruit, mango) predominated at the start, some sweetness of the malt in the middle, returning to citrus and a touch of dryness in the finish. This was not overly cloying nor sticky. Mouthfeel was light to medium but with healthy carbonation. At a little over 8%, I could do a few of these with no problem this summer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2010 21:33:53 | More by regspeir

mtnbikerpa

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this brew on tap. A nice deep copper color with a golden head about 2 inches tall. The smell was strong, heavy hops almost even sticky. Very hop forward flavor. More citrus than pine notes. Enough pine though to make it sticky. Very tasty and drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2010 12:30:29 | More by mtnbikerpa

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

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

Can this be possible? A double IPA from ST that is under 10%. Amazing. On tap at max's today.

The beer pours a golden amber color with fairly good head retention and not much lacing. Mouthfeel is all IPA goodness, with the beer showing considerable citrus and light dank earth. On the palate, this really tastes like a dialed down version of unearthly, gemini and the like. It's got that considerable malty sweetness, but the alcohol isn't nearly as punishing and/or cloying, which is something I appreciate. Still, this IPA is definitely on the sweet side, with enough bitterness in the finish to counter, but not truly balance, this East Coast style IPA. So the beer still has very much of a tropical fruit flavor profile, but with the tell tale IPA bitter finish. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, but is not at all heavy or tiring (unlike unearthly). Drinkability is good, with the (relatively) low alcohol actually allowing me to finish my glass of beer.

Still not a big fan of the ST DIPA style, but nevertheless, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2010 20:31:15 | More by johnmichaelsen

Damian

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Drank on-tap at Plan B Burger Bar, Glastonbury, CT
Served in a goblet

The beer poured a crystal clear, yellow-amber color. I simply have never seen such clarity on a beer of this style. The liquid was capped by a creamy, bright white, one-finger head that left rings of lacing all down the glass.

The aroma was sheer perfection. Super complex and hoppy, yet very balanced. Notes of peaches and apricots dominated. Tropical fruits, including mango, pineapple and passion fruit, were also quite apparent. Citrus fruits were noticeable as well.

The taste was nearly as impressive as the nose. Hoppy and quite interesting with a menagerie of fruity hop flavors and a stiff, yet unobtrusive, bready malt backbone. Citrus notes were quite apparent. Ruby red grapefruit came through strong. Orange peel was also noticeable. Tropical fruits flavors were detectible. The finish was semi-dry. Once again, citrus fruits came through loud and clear.

The mouthfeel was super creamy and smooth. A soft, pillowy liquid blanketed my tongue and never let up. The carbonation was very fine and mild, and it worked perfectly for this beer.

Drinkability was simply off the charts. The 8.5% ABV was barely perceivable. This beer was a sheer joy to sip and savor.

This was unquestionably one of the best examples of a double IPA I have sampled. Southern Tier has been putting out many excellent releases but, in my opinion, this is definitely their finest to date. If you are a fan of balanced double IPA's, you simply must give this one a try.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2010 05:03:19 | More by Damian

JG-90

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer is a translucent light golden straw color. Pours a large white head with with good retention and moderate lacing. Smell hits first with an incredible smell of pine. Also get grapefruit, orange, resin, and a bit of bread.

Taste starts with a ton of pine and some resin, followed by grapefruit, orange, and lemon. Has a piney, grapefruit, lemon, bready, slighty floral, crisp finish. Mouthfeel is definitely on the light side for a DIPA, with above average carbonation. Normally I would want a heavier body for a DIPA, but this lighter body helps keep the intense piney-ness from being overwhelming, also making it a surprising refreshing 8.2% beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 19:06:38 | More by JG-90

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Southern Tier's 2XIPA pours golden in color with little head and not much lacing. The smell is pleasing, the taste is fantastic and the mouthfeel is subtle but good. I enjoyed this beer, but it was pricey. I'd have again, but only at a more reasonable price.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 17:40:53 | More by DenverHopHead