2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company

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

dheacck11

Connecticut

3.84/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a rich coppery red with creamy off white 1/4 finger of head, fading rapidly.

Nose is delightful. Full of holiday spice with just a hint of orangey sweetness.

Taste is full of spice up front, with ginger, all spice, and lots of nutmeg. Progresses on to a mild sweet maltiness and finishes with dry, bitter, soft hops.

Mouth feel is a little thinner and more watery than I would prefer for the style

Nice winter spice beer. Easily drinkable and tasty, but not really complex or special here. Just a good winter spice ale. Lots of brown ale characteristics going on.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 00:26:21 | More by dheacck11

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled on 10/31/2012. Pours lightly hazy ruby red color with a 1 finger dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin lace that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big raisin, fig, orange peel, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg, floral, brown bread, and herbal earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance of malt, fruit, and spice notes; with good strength. Taste of raisin, fig, orange peel, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg, light anise, floral, brown bread, and herbal earthiness. Lingering notes of dark fruit, orange peel, brown sugar, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, light anise, floral, brown bread, and herbal earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity of malt, fruit, and spice flavors; with a great sweetness/spice balance; and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and slightly syrupy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice spiced Christmas ale! Great balance and complexity of malt, fruit, and spice flavors; and very smooth to sip on. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:02:15 | More by superspak

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - dark reddish amber, a short-lived head of pale mocha is just a spotty cover within a minute or two.

Aroma - spiced with ginger, anise, clove, a fine bouquet of seasonal smells.

Taste - richly toasty malt base, orange, clove and anise providing some great spicy flavors. As the swallow dries, the hoppiness is shallow, a touch medicinal and even a little metallic, but not especially bitter. Decent balance to the sweeter front side flavors. Nice breath of waming alcohol as this winds down.

Mouthfeel - medium to slightly full body, fairly crisp, smooth.

Overall - extremely good session seasonal. I only got a few loose bottles this year, this one's on the short list for a few sixers next time around.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 00:56:05 | More by brewdlyhooked13

Pencible

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: This poured a clear dark copper with a bit of light tan head.
S: It smelled like lots of nutmeg and clove, with some copper hops and cinnamon and vanilla.
T: It tasted just like the scent, full of holiday spices. It had a lean and spicy aftertaste.
M: It was watery with a little carbonation. Fairly light body.
D: This was a nice holiday ale, with lots of spice. The scent and taste and body were all good, with a smooth finish, so it was easy to drink. Mmm.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 21:15:27 | More by Pencible

MaddMatt639

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Tasted on February 7, 2013:

A: Pours a very dark amber, Kind of a maple color. Barely any retention.

S: Numerous spices right off the bat. A faint hint of orange and some cinnamon. No fig.

T: Mouth full of spices. Picking up mainly cinnamon and nutmeg. Very malty in the beginning and a slight fig note in the end. Not very sweet in the end.

M: Wouldn't go as far as smooth, but a good sipping beer. I have a medium heaviness left on my tongue.

O: A very unique and good spiced winter ale. Enjoyed the cinnamon and nutmeg. Just wish there was a little more to it.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 09:03:49 | More by MaddMatt639

GallowsThief

Florida

3.9/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A – Poured out a ruby red/brown with about an inch of tan head that settled down quickly into a slight cap.

S – Nutmeg, clove, brown sugar, cinnamon. Christmas in a bottle.

T – Follows the smell with all the Christmas flavors packed in there. Lighter taste then the aroma might suggest. Good malt backbone. Has some syrupy type sweetness. Touch of citrus and dark fruit. Black licorice at the end from anise.

M – Solid carbonation. Smooth and lively. Just a bit cloying on the palate.

O – Dig this beer for what it is. It’s a very nice Christmas drink or for that matter winter brew. I love the spices in it. I could not drink more then a couple as it can be a bit sweet at the end but overall very nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 00:55:20 | More by GallowsThief

Brenden

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The color is a medium-dark brown with a red tone to it. A light brown head grows to one finger that drops to a fairly heavy foam in time. It leaves a ring of lacing at the top of the glass with some spotting beneath.
Spicy it is; not overly spiced, but definitively and strongly. It also offers a bit of citrus, mostly zest and a bready quality that's part gingerbread but more very doughy, spiced "Christmas"-type bread. On the tongue, there's a malty backbone with some bitterness coming out in the middle. It finishes with a sugar/spice combination as alcohol sneaks in as sort of an afterthought.
The feel is nicely thick with a bit of heft in its sturdy body. It's smooth, and doesn't offer so much a crispness as a bite, even as it hits the lips.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 20:56:00 | More by Brenden

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.46/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

I suppose by the time one gets to Valentines Day the Xmas beers should be done.
So, nice and pleasing spicing that is dominant but not too strong. KInd of has a brandy atoma. Some malt backing.
Pours without much head. Dark bronze and very clear.
Surprisingly dry and doesn't drink like brandy. Spice are showing a little more age her than in the aroma and thus are less fresh and more dull in presentation. Firmer malt base here. Really drying, did I say that already?
Moderate to higher body. Lower carbonation that is soft.
This is fine enough. Nothing to write home about, but not a problem or a disaster either. It became a little more annoying in time.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 02:12:10 | More by garymuchow

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - hazy brownish orange with a thin, quickly disintegrating white head, carbonation clinging to the bottom of the glass, but to opaque to see it rising

S - chrismtas spices are the first experience, nutmeg, ginger, anise, and orange peel, the darkness lent by the figs is evident, but not sure if I picked it up or found it because I read the bottle

T - malts, big malts aided by the figs for a wintry darkness, then the spices kick in, kind of a glomb up of spices, definitely holiday spices, and the ones picked up in the aroma stay true to the taste.

M&D&O - a wonderful christmas beer, spices are friendly and inviting and rich, without being overdone too much. the fig complements the malt base fantastically, one of the better christmas beers I have had. Well done ST!

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 20:36:25 | More by sinstaineddemon

Lemke10

Wisconsin

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

This pours a clear, medium brown color with a slight, beige head. The scent is slightly sweet with some spice and fruit. The taste is strong and bold but has great complex flavors. There is a great blend of malts and spices along with a slight hoppy finish. A great brew for those cold winter months!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 20:27:24 | More by Lemke10

bum732

Maryland

2.3/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.25

S: Very bold spices, mace, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, just a spicy assault on the nose.

L: Dark crimson red, little white head and lacing.

T: Bold dark fruit up front with a very bold x-mas spice backbone. Medium low spicy bitterness with lots of cinnamon bread, figs and some orange tea. Fairly sweet caramal malt throughout. Finishes semi-dry with lingering baking spices.

M: Medium bodied, medium carbonation.

Extremetly bold in the baking spices. Like drinking spiced soup. nose was pleasant, but way too overwhelming in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 16:04:58 | More by bum732

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.84/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I poured this beer into a pint glass, it had a reddish color body with a 2"head to it. The aroma was of cinnamon, allspice,nutmeg. The taste was very strong of spices, cinnmon, allspice, nutmeg, but had a tart cherry taste also.
The mouth feel is good, well balanced and overall a really good beer, just a little heavy on the spices.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 21:57:03 | More by chefhatt

ommegangpbr

New York

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

I have had glogg in my time and as far as a beer representative goes this is a pretty accurate rendition. There is a lot of flavor going on and somehow the flavors harmonize. There's a little bit of clashing that goes on here and there with some of the more aggressive flavors, but that's par for the course. Fermented sweetness, a faint pine undertone, slight warnings of a vodka and red wine hangover. Southern Tier has earned some more brownie points by resonating with my semi-Scandanavian heart.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:31:46 | More by ommegangpbr

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Appearance: pours an amber orange color with a one inch head that lingers around a while.

Smell: cinnamon, nutmeg, and some malt sweetness comes through to the nose.

Taste: caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, apples, and a moderate bitterness create a nice winter ale.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp throughout.

Overall: a great beer to drink in front of a raging fire in the winter. Slow sipping but very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 21:40:54 | More by Gavage

billab914

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into my Southern Tier glass. Dark caramel color with a thin, frothy, tan colored head to it. Decent retention and lacing as I drank it.

Aroma has a strong cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and peppermint presence. I get a hint of the sweet malty base but the spices are pretty overwhelming. It definitely reminds me of an intense Christmas cookie, but I think the spices could have been a little less dominating.

The taste shows a little more of a molasses and gingerbread flavor to it, but again the spices are all pretty intense. The cinnamon, clove and nutmeg are particularly intense in the finish.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Overall, it did taste like an intense Christmas cookie so given the name I think they hit their mark. I do think however that the spices could have been toned down a bit to let some of the malty flavors come out. I think it compares reasonably well to other Christmas beers out there though overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 23:49:15 | More by billab914

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a vibrant, deep, blood-amber coloring with a thin, filmy, cloudy, off-white head that coats the surface. Aromas of heavy spicing and fruit, with a rich, sweet cherry and berries backbone giving rise to all-spice, coriander, and fennel. Smells very festive and warm. Flavors are rich and roasty, with a cinnamon and cider theme. Cherry cordial and licorice form the base of the brew, with the all-spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg filling the rest of the palate. Candied overtones, with an evergreen highlight throughout. It's like Yankee Candle made a holiday beer flavor in drinking form. Screams christmas time. The aftertaste is more of a linger of the spicing, with a strong herbal tea characteristic. Filmy, slightly lingering finish to the brew. Overall, you don't really notice the 8% ABV while drinking, which makes it easier to drink a few of these at a time, in turn keeping you nice and toasty on those cold winter nights. Interesting brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 00:21:18 | More by GarthDanielson

mecummins

Illinois

3.11/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a bottle to a pint glass

A- a reddish gold color with hints of orange It only poured a half a finger of head, not even enough for any lacing. Sort of disappointing.

S- Sweet caramel malts with figs, raisins and orange peel

T- Fruitcake in a glass. Very sweet (just verging on cloying to me) with figs and chewy raisins. The orange zest really helped save this beer and brought it back into somewhat balance. there is no way I could ever drink this while eating anything however.

M- Syrupy but not at all lush. Short finish

O- It was OK. Nice to sip on it's own at a holiday party, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find it. There are plenty of other great holiday beers out there to drink instead.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 20:17:16 | More by mecummins

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A beautiful bold burgundy coloring upon backlighting reveals a good clarity. The head is weak, tawny brownish orage tint, and one that quickly dissipates. No visible lacing, with a light visible rise of spacious carbonation bubbles.

S: Spices of oranges, cinnamon stick, dried apple slices with a dired caramel sweetness of low to moderate appeal.

T: Flavor of spicy oranges, cherry malt, and apples. Some signs of figs and sugary raisins with a hint of pear juice and caramel. The spicing is fair, even toned and not overly done.

M: Syrupy malt mouthful, low carbonation presence, medium bodied with a spicy, cherry cough medicine alcohol presence upon leave and warming.

O: Overall the 8.0% abv seems gentle at first but does provide a cough medicine like flair upon warming. The spicing, while event toned and refined, seesm more supplementary hiding in the background.The malting is good. This drank more like a bock with some fruity tones.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 02:35:30 | More by beerthulhu

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle. DOB 10/22/2012.

A: a deep/rich copper hue. bright. head is dense and a slightly reddish white hue. retention is good, moderate lacing.

S: smells like a holiday beer should, strong allspice notes are obvious. cinnamon. mulled cider.

T: dark fruit flavor and spices. allspice. lots of caramel. fruit jam. a lingering amount of sweetness into the finish.

M: ample amount of carbonization. the unfermented sugars provide additional faux carbonation aspects. medium body.

D: not too shabby of a holiday brew. lots of residual sweetness and holiday spice makes this more of a sipper to me. enjoy during the right week and you will be happy.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 01:13:30 | More by Jimmys

vtisme

Oklahoma

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from a bottle into a snifter
A - the beer is more red than brown, the head is light brown
S - Cloves more than anything else
T - Cinnamon!, nutmeg!, chai
M - Sharp, medium carbonation, alcohol comes through in the end
O - Too heavy on the nutmeg and the cinnamon to really enjoy, I had high hopes but after 2 the last 4 of the pack are going to be given away.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:23:36 | More by vtisme

patpbr

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A dark amber color with a bit of a head. The smell is cinnamon, sweet and roasted malt. Spices and flavors such as Cinnamon, nutmeg, and hops. Mouthfeel is medium This one is over the top and if your not an adventure seeking beer drinking look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:27:15 | More by patpbr

rlee1390

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A-Clear brown, amber in the light, not much carbonation

S-Very spice heavy, cinnamon and nutmeg dominate, some caramel as well.

T-Sweet with spices, cinnamon dominates, caramel is there, tad bit of nutmeg and some other spices.

M-Medium bodied, nice carbonation.

O-A solid winter brew, very spice heavy which hurt the balance.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:15:02 | More by rlee1390

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clean orange-ish to amber color with an off white head. In the aroma, sweet figs, nutmeg, and spice. In the taste, light spice of nutmeg and cinnamon, with a dry faint fruitiness of figs and raisins. A mellow spice bite bite and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a dry fruitiness of figs and spice in the aftertaste. A small spice and dark fruits, quite a sleeper!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 15:20:21 | More by OWSLEY069

MadScientist

New York

3.88/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A medium-dark copper with good clarity. The head a a better than average retention and is light tan.

S: The cardamom with it's lemony slight exotic notes and the clove are the first things I smell which blend very nicely with the orange peel aroma. It doesn't smell overly spice, it smells balanced and restrained like a brew that wants to let you taste a beer not potpourri. There is a light malt sweetness and touch of caramel and if there are any citrus hops the'd be covered by the orange peel and cardamom. There is a light fruit aroma as well of figs and prunes. There is a moderately-light ginger aroma that kind of ties everything together.

T: The figs come through in the flavor with moderate spice flavors of cinnamon and ginger with lighter flavors of clove and ginger. There is some lemony flavor and orange peel as well. The malt sweetness provides support and is paired with a moderately-light hops bitterness. The balances is slight sweet with a medium finish.

M: A medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. A very light prickle of astringency on the tongue that is unavoidable when brewing with spices and doesn't detract.

O: Not a bad holiday spiced beer that showcases the spices but has enough balance to still drinkable. I was nervous when about the brewers description saying this is double spiced but is isn't as strongly spiced as other beers I have both commercial and homebrewed.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 00:43:18 | More by MadScientist