2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company

BB1313

Ohio

2.98/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottled on 10-18-12. 12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a dark auburn with red and brown hues. Fluffy off-white head which fades and leaves really nice lacing and retention. The aromas are full of orange zest, cherries, cinnamon and malts. The other spices are noticeable in the nose, but not dominating. The flavors are bitter. Not sweet at all. There's more cinnamon along with some ginger and nutmeg. Dark fruits are present. The flavors seem to fall flat and don't leave an impression. It's not hot or boozy, but leaves an alcohol aftertaste. Mouthfeel is nice, moderate carbonation and smooth. It's on the lighter side of full-bodied.

I was really hoping Southern Tier used their Pumking magic with this beer, but no. I'm a huge fan of the spiced Christmas ales, but this one is lacking flavor. It's similar to Great Lakes Christmas Ale and Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas, but lacks the depth. I was expecting something bolder from Southern Tier.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 22:55:25 | More by BB1313

NJBeer265

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%

05-22-2013 17:42:44 | More by NJBeer265

brewcifix

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%

05-20-2013 21:57:33 | More by brewcifix

BurnMeInMyBar

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

05-20-2013 14:40:16 | More by BurnMeInMyBar

anhigdon

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +12.1%

05-18-2013 03:28:13 | More by anhigdon

Zimm

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

05-15-2013 17:25:36 | More by Zimm

hopkrid

Florida

3/5  rDev -20.8%

05-15-2013 15:54:55 | More by hopkrid

touchmeimsac

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

05-15-2013 14:25:00 | More by touchmeimsac

ElijahRivera

New York

4/5  rDev +5.5%

05-14-2013 21:28:04 | More by ElijahRivera

aLenwell

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

05-14-2013 00:44:08 | More by aLenwell

vrbulldog22

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%

05-13-2013 18:55:35 | More by vrbulldog22

Porter

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

05-12-2013 23:44:19 | More by Porter

corysmith01

New York

2.75/5  rDev -27.4%

05-12-2013 22:53:53 | More by corysmith01

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

2.25/5  rDev -40.6%

05-12-2013 16:52:57 | More by mikeburd1128

YieldToNothing

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

05-12-2013 16:34:00 | More by YieldToNothing

ToddHolder

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.5%

05-11-2013 01:52:18 | More by ToddHolder

krisbee

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

05-10-2013 03:15:54 | More by krisbee

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.8%

05-10-2013 00:03:31 | More by tommyguz

cowboy83

New York

4.5/5  rDev +18.7%

05-07-2013 14:06:01 | More by cowboy83

LMH88

New York

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%

05-03-2013 02:11:51 | More by LMH88

scotv

New York

4/5  rDev +5.5%

05-01-2013 19:52:28 | More by scotv

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%

04-29-2013 00:49:53 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

Lawl3ss

Texas

4.09/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Chilled 12 oz. bottle into a 33 cl snifter. Bottling date 10.24.12.

Look- Deep ruby amber with a half finger of loose off-white head. Falls quickly, decent lacing. Nice glow.

Smell- Moderately sweet- currant, brown bread, molasses cookies, cinnamon, orange zest. Plenty of fruit and holiday spice. Swirling brings out a deeper, darker plummy fruit aroma and some rum-laced fruitcake.

Taste- Very similar to the aroma. Round, soft fruits with a hint of citrus balance against tealike bittering and warm spice- lots of nutmeg. Spices linger, aftertaste of pumpernickel and mulled apple cider. Nice.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, light carbonation brightens up the sip a bit. Swallow is juicy, full, mild-moderate dusky dryness imparted by the spices. Light for the style, actually. Moderate warming on the back - both spice and booze, but not unwelcome. I could finish two of these no problem.

Overall- Not the best Christmas beer I've ever had (that goes to La Grivoise De Noel), but hits all the right notes and doesn't go overboard. It's also fairly easy to get a hold of (if Southern Tier distributes in your area) and reasonably priced. I'll definitely be picking this one up again.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 00:31:03 | More by Lawl3ss

Cdunk11

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.8%

04-27-2013 19:32:31 | More by Cdunk11

clfrost

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -20.8%

04-21-2013 23:42:14 | More by clfrost