2X Stout - Southern Tier Brewing Company

darkstar12

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From a bottle, poured into a snifter. Beer's black as night as it should be. Smell is of coffee and milk, very mild. Taste is an outstanding mix of chocolate, toasted coffee, mild hops mixed with sweetness. Good mouthfeel with mild carbonation. Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 22:16:52 | More by darkstar12

Alextricity

Michigan

4.18/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Bottled 1/16/13 and poured on 5/16/13. Single bottle purchased for a reasonable $2.19.

Appearance: I'm a sucker for nitro'd beers, but this one still looks fantastic. Pours with a nice 3-finger head that settles at about one throughout the glass. The beer seems to be a clear, dark black with a touch of ruby on the edges. Lacing's not great, but solid.

Smell: Chocolate/cocoa and coffee. Smells quite sweet, as you'd probably expect, but not too much so. Really nice on the nose.

Taste/feel: Wow. I'm not sure what it is ... there's something about it. You get the typical chocolate and coffee flavors with some caramel malts, but the finish has a bready characteristic, and even maybe a very slight spicy hop note? Whatever it is, this is working for me. The slight bitterness on the finish is really pleasing, and the coffee and chocolate flavors linger in the mouth enough to make you want another sip. The mouth feel is awesome, as it has body and is creamy, but it's not syrupy.

I've had Left Hand Milk Stout, which is supposed to be one of the best Milk Stouts out there, but I have to give it to Southern Tier. While Left Hand's Nitro Milk Stout wins in appearance (what a shock...) and aroma, 2x Stout is better in what matters most -- the taste. This is a beer worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 00:45:59 | More by Alextricity

ADZA

Australia

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A new one for me but love the style and pours a very dark kola hue with a creamy two finger khaki head that stays and leaved heaps of nice lacing here and there,the smell is milky coffee,brown sugar,milk chocolate and herbal hops,the mouthfeel is full bodied and has tastes of milky mocha,brown sugar,creme brûlée and finished with a herbal bitterness and overall it's not bad and quite enjoyable for a night like tonight cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 13:05:43 | More by ADZA

plaid75

New York

4.01/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Lark, East Northport, NY.

Poured a deep brown hue with a two finger frothy tan head. There was wry good retention and lacing.

The smell featured charcoal, a touch of smoke and dark chocolate.

The taste consisted of dry and sweet cocoa, roasted barley, lactose and a nip of hop.

The mouthfeel was round and full.

Overall a tasty full bodied stout.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2013 00:32:12 | More by plaid75

shanny1981

Georgia

4.44/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Southern Tier is known to produce great beers overall so wanted to try this one. This is a deep brown, heavy bodied beer with a sizable tan head. Not as dark and thick as your typical motor oil stouts. This is a very complex beer in terms of flavor. Great sweet, chocolaty smell. Nice sweet, malty, dark chocolate and earthy coffee taste. A good blend of sweet from the fermented lactose and bitterness from the dark chocolate and roasted coffee. A dark roasted malt taste with a good amount of hops to it. I would say better if warmed to room temperature and served as a sipping stout. A very pleasant beer to drink. Real smooth hops with medium carbonation. If you like coffee and/or coffee-tasting type stouts, you should definitely give this one a try. It's definitely not one to disappoint in the taste department.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 14:11:36 | More by shanny1981

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.94/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours black with a 2 finger dark tan head. Small blotches of lacing polka-dot the glass.

S- chocolate and a lot of pine.

T- roasted malts and bitter, dark chocolate. Nice amount of pine hops that give it some bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Has a slightly dry finish.

O- nice milk stout with good amount of hoppiness, which I like.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 02:56:56 | More by ExtraStout

brewcifix

Connecticut

4.53/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: This brew pours black with a dark tan head. There is some decent lacing.

Smell: I get a lovely nose of sweet caramel, chocolate, roasted malt, cereal, and cream. Can't WAIT to dig in!

Taste: My tongue is immediately enveloped in sweet roasted malts, espresso, milky cream, and bread. There is a faint note of alcohol present as well. This is a MAN's beer! This stout finishes nicely leaving cream, espresso and sweetness on the palate. There is also very subtle hops that are tamed by the cream and roasted malts. This beer throws down heavy sweet malt goodness- just like I like- without being over-the-top-syruppy-gross!

Mouthfeel: This has a medium to heavy tongue weight with ample carbonation.

Overall: This is a phenomenal milk stout through and through. I've had this bottled and on tap, and find myself utterly pleased. It's hard to find on tap. I only know one place: McLadden's in West Hartford, CT. This brew is a real treat. And, with 7.5% ABV at the same price as many inferiors, it's well worth the investment. Southern Tier has never disappointed me. They really know how to make dark, rich beers teeming with complexity.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 22:09:16 | More by brewcifix

hustlesworth

Ohio

3.94/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A- served in a big old snifter with creamy tan head and lots of swirly lace. Body is a deep chestnut brown, almost black.

S- roasted aroma is subdued until it warms significantly and I'm glad this bar was nice enough to have the oversized snifters. Roasted and chocolate, some coffee, stone and mineral with molasses and slight berry tartness. Hints of booze as well.

T- taste mirrors the aroma with less sweetness than expected and big roasted coffee flavor. Very earthy with mild hops and some leafiness. Nice dark chocolate with a hint of acidity.

MF- big bodied and sticky with light carbonation

D- pretty decent but seems kinda dry for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2013 21:44:30 | More by hustlesworth

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.91/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Jet black, completely opaque, the head was stiff and bubbly.

Dry malty, crackery and slightly charred there's a certain weakness." 2X" should be more pronounced.

The taste is grassy and earthy. Charred malts with a dry Graham cracker crust, there's a hidden chocolatey taste but that natural charred grass wins out.

Overall I like it, very rough around the edge but smooth at the same time.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:31:18 | More by KYGunner

stercomm

Ohio

3.69/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into one of my trusty Half Acre tulip glasses

A - Dark brown with a slight red tinge when held up to the light, very slight light brown head, mild lacing.

S - Get sweet milk chocolate, cocoa, maybe a hint of vanilla

T - Good crisp taste with threads of chocolate and vanilla, some roasted malts for sure, nice finish with a little kicks of hops.

M - Slight creaminess with a nice edge to it, very mild carbonation.

O - I was very pleasantly surprised, nicely balanced brew as some one else said it grows on you as you take another taste.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 23:09:27 | More by stercomm

mntlover

Tennessee

4.18/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a black some red highlights when held to the light. Only a one finger brown head even from an aggressive pour only light lace.

Aroma is sweet, definite lactose sweetness present. Nice chocolate notes and light coffee.

Taste is nice good lactose sweetness, chocolate notes with good coffee hints with light smoke hints. Good smooth sweetness with a finish that's mostly coffee with a light hop bite. Finding the flavor very enjoyable and smooth.

Mouthfeel is a big medium very smooth, nice.

Overall liking this one very enjoyable tasty sweet and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 00:33:43 | More by mntlover

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Very dark brown/black with a light brown head of a quarter to half an inch. Little strands of lace that slide.

Cocoa and milky malts in the nose. Medium roastiness. Apparent sweetness. Grains and light hops.

Rugged with malts. Roasty char, sweet milk, dark chocolate, hop bitterness with a flair of citrus, general earthiness. Undercurrent of fusel alcohol. Good stuff.

Medium body. Somewhat lighter carbonation. Feels good. A little alcohol noise carrying over.

Pretty damn solid milk stout. Growing on me each time I have one.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 12:04:24 | More by thecheapies

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours nearly pitch black with a small fizzy dark tan head that quickly dissapears completely, leaving no lace or retention.

S- sugary sweet chocolate syrup, light roasted character, touch of coffe, lightly herbal and woodsy

T- roasted malty notes give way to a sweet & sugary chocolate flavor, some herbal hop notes on tepee finish with just a touch of coffee on a sweet finish

M- medium-bodied, slightly chewy mouthfeel with low carbonation and a creamy finish, alcohol warmth on the end

O- this one was pretty pretty good, but hard to live up to their blackwater series beers. Worth a try, but probably won't buy again.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:31:26 | More by Treyliff

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.81/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pouted into a goblet. Color was a very dark brown, that was almost black. Opaque, with a thin brown bubbly head. Aroma was slightly sweet up front, mixed to a bit of smokey, then finished with a hint of alcohol. Flavor had the lactose sweet up front as I would expect it to be, but then shifted to a bit of bitter alcohol acidity. Coated very well, not overly thick, needed perhaps a tad more carbonation. Not bad. Up front, great flavor profile, but didn't finish very well.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 23:54:12 | More by mountdew1

breakingbland

Michigan

3.49/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This beer pours with a one-finger head that dissipated fairly quickly. The color is a virtually opaque brown. The aroma was not outstanding: some toasty notes but not as marked as expected. The taste did not disappoint in delivering a rich, toasty chocolate deepness. This beer has a strong malty sweet character with an underplayed hoppiness that accentuates toward the end. The characteristics of the sweetness and hopiness are characteristic of this style. But the sweetness may be overplayed. The carbonation was at a medium level, and the body was full -- almost syrupy. Overall, I would have this beer again, even though I prefer a somewhat less sweet version of this style.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2013 01:07:36 | More by breakingbland

CloudStrife

New York

3.94/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. DOB 1/16/13

A: Pours a very dark brown with a 1 finger khaki head. Light gets through about a half inch of this brew. Not much lacing.

S: Roasted malts with a definitive lactic kick. Carmel gives it a touch of sweetness. Some dark fruits in there as well.

T: Pretty balanced flavor going on here. Starts out with some nice roasted malts, some coffee kicks in and lactose sugars sweeten the backend. A touch of hops is pleasant. Booze is pretty well hidden. Roasted malts dominate.

M: Creamy mouthfeel with mild carbonation. A nice clean finish, isn't too sticky or heavy. An easy drinking brew.

Overall one of my favorite milk stouts out there. A pleasurable beverage to sip on for a night. Would recommend giving it a shot.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:13:29 | More by CloudStrife

shand

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2X Stout pours out black with a finger of mocha head. The aroma is sweet and roasty, with lactose cutting a current straight through the roast. The taste brings in a strong amount of coffee flavor that works very well with the milk stout aspects. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with just a little bit of carbonation prickle on the finish; and the drinkability is exceptional. Overall, Southern Tier 2X Stout is a great milk stout. The stronger coffee flavors helps it stand out from the pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 18:05:47 | More by shand

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz.

Pours jet black with an inch of tan head, fine and pillowy, with a slow retention.

Smells of cocoa, brown sugar and roasted coffee beans.

Flavors are of nuts, milk chocolate, coffee, brown sugar, and mild oak-like hop bitterness.

Full creamy body with light tingling carbonation on the roof of the mouth.

A very good stout, hits all the right notes, doesn't do anything exceptionally different, but does what it does very well. Would definitely have it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 20:42:05 | More by Cylinsier

sommersb

Tennessee

3.48/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Tasted On: 03-20-2013
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: Single from Frugal MacDoogal, Nashville

A: Black and opaque color, with a finger's worth of tan head. Retention of the head is fair and lacing is good.

S: Aromas have chocolate malts and a light coffee-like roasted smell. Some earthy hops as well.

T: Tastes of bittersweet chocolate and roasted coffee grains. Also has some woody/earthy hop bitterness. It's not as sweet as other milk stouts, which kind of surprises me since everyone says how sweet ST beers are. Has some alcohol warmth.

M: Carbonation is on the low end and the body is medium. I don't get the creaminess you'd expect from a milk stout. Finishes dry and has chocolate aftertastes as well as bitterness of toasted grain.

O: Overall a good beer, but seems to miss the marks of a sweet/milk stout. Seems closer to an American stout or perhaps an RIS to me.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 04:24:28 | More by sommersb

cyclonece09

Virginia

4.21/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark black with a small amount of brown head that dissipates very quickly. Smells of coffee, chocolate, and caramel, very nice mixture and very inviting. Tastes of cream and coffee with a very sharp coffee aftertaste. Beer is carbonated right and goes down smooth for its medium body. Overall, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:04:59 | More by cyclonece09

pmorey

Indiana

3.69/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Home bottle pour into an imperial pint. Appearance is top notch with nice creamy head; not a Guinness cascade or anything, but pretty good without the nitrogen. Two fingers off of a pour down the side of the glass. Held the glass up to the light and literally could not see through it.

Smell was rather weak but the first taste was very good. Espresso was the predominate flavor for me with a hint of milk chocolate underneath and a finish with bite. Lacing all down the glass with just a few sips to go. Pleasant aftertaste, the bitterness doesn't last.

While I am definitely not a stout expert, overall i found this to be very good. Looking forward to the rest of the six and would come back to this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 23:05:43 | More by pmorey

Hopscat

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured to goblet. Dark brown with red highlights. Nice ring of lacing and a thin head remains throughout.
Smell- very nice roast coffee, caramel and booze.
T- coffee is really upfront , then sweet biscuity malt and chocolate finish . Really tasty. Surprised the booze doesn't roll over it all as happened with the 'Old Man' from ST.
M- body and carbonation are about right. This has a creamy feel that very enjoyable
O- Definitely one that I will look for and pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 20:36:24 | More by Hopscat

Maltmaiden

Alabama

3.81/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: tiny tan head that quickly goes away but leaves a ring the whole time.Very dark brown, almost black. Not viscous looking.

S: roasted malts and sweet lactose right away. Some alcohol. Not a very huge boquet, but a nice one. Straight forward.Not seeing the 2X part of the smell.

T: Much more bitter than expected. Lots of smoke. Very alcoholic. burnt coffee. Touch of floral and piney hops. Much more interesting than the smell but the alcohol is so intense.

M: Thin for a milk stout but not too thin overall (it does have a body). well carbonated. Not smooth at all. Pretty rough actually. I guess I like my milk stouts to be less crisp and biting.

O: I had very high hopes for this one. I don't think it's a bad beer, but I was not a fan of the alcohol intensity and the roughness of the Mouthfeel. However, I will say that as I drink it, it is starting to grow on me.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 01:56:00 | More by Maltmaiden

niktastik

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A - Looks like a stout, with a dark, dark pour and a tan head.

S - It smells sweet, with maybe a hint of citrus in there. It doesn't smell as "roasty" as other stouts.

T - Nicely balanced for a milk stout. Not too sweet, but has hints of caramel and and chocolate. There's a little bit of breadiness to it, as well as a bit of a taste of alcohol.

M - Lovely mouthfeel, nice and thick and creamy. This is what stouts should be like, in my opinion.

O - This is a nice stout. Not my favorite, but a solid choice for sure. I would buy this beer again. To be fair, I am a little biased since Southern Tier brews two of my favorite stouts.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 01:51:00 | More by niktastik

neophilus

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Commenting on the appearance of a stout at this point is an exercise in repetition. It's dark colored, can't really see through it, there is an off-white head probably tan. If you can't get the appearance right the rest of the review is most likely going to suck.

Appearance is good. Oh, the head fell faster than normal. Take that for what its worth.

Very clean aroma, I think I'm picking up more scent from the glass than the beer. Hints of sweetness and chocolate. Not a heavy dose of roasted grain but also not hop heavy, nice and smooth.

Smooth, creamy and somewhat chocolate flavor. Ringing hop bitterness shows up but doesn't dominate. Roasted grain enters the auditorium, says hi, then takes a seat to watch the show. Super smooth with a firm bitterness to clean it up. Malty like Whoppers or a Wendy's Frosty. Finishes with a bitter hop bite. Medium to full, silky body.

I really liked the cleanliness of this beer's flavor. My one complaint is the hop bitterness was a bit assertive at the very end, and finally the taste lands on an acrid roasted grain note. But overall the drinking experience was smooth and satisfying. Tantalizingly close to being a straight up clone of a Wendy's Frosty, only the hop bitterness pulled it back from greatness. Would love to have this same beer with a lingering malty chocolate finish, just let up on the hops a tiny bit.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 21:58:24 | More by neophilus