2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell, NJ. They served it in a fluted glass.

2XMAS is deep brown with minimal foam and no lacing. I got some mild spices in the aroma on this beer.

I like the flavor with this beer. You can definitely taste the nutmeg and cinnimon. There was also some caramel present in this one. All of these flavors come through for some really good balance.

Overall, I would say that this is a good example of a holiday/Christmas style beer. I'm not surprised that this was a good beer. Southern Tier puts out lots of good stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2013 02:59:15 | More by ummswimmin

kylehay2004

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

1.5 finger head with nice lacing on a clear, deep copper amber body. Brown sugar, milk chocolate, caramel and bready malts, with herbs of cinnamon and nutmeg. Flavors follows well with caramel, bread malts, brown sugar and more spices, mostly nutmeg and cinnamon again which perfectly go with the season. Medium body ad light to moderate carbonation. A nice seasonal. Not all that different from many of this genre as a winter release but still good nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 04:23:16 | More by kylehay2004

suspect

New York

4.43/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served into a standard pint glass at Central City.

A: deep amber color. Crystal clear. Served with a one finger off white head.

S: figs, oranges, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and lots if big body malt character swarm this beautiful aroma. Really nice smelling beer.

T: follows the nose directly. Lots of beautiful spice and figs mix with a big wonderful malt body. Very tasty brew.

M: medium body. Perfectly carbonated. Bitterness washes my mouth leaving a dry puckering finish.

O: superb Christmas beer. One of the better of the style I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 17:22:39 | More by suspect

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. Light beige head, good retention on a body colored hazy tudor brown. Oily, soapy, sticky lacing. Aroma is gingerbready with a touch of oatmeal cookie, some brown sugar and dark fruit (dates). Taste follows suit with a slight hint of alcohol taste. I suppose this tastes pretty close to what I would expect out of a Christmas beer from Southern Tier and thats a good thing.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2012 07:48:28 | More by KickbacksSteve

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

"...with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads..." If by sugar, he means malt, and by plumbs, he meant prunes. If he means stomach instead of head and drunken stupor instead of visions, then he must have bellied up at The Beer Trappe on Saturday night as Southern Tier's 2XMAS joined the tap rotation. By the way, what the crap is a sugarplum?

It's tawny bronze hue is cast in a veil of barkish haze. it's deep brown color allows for the soft penetration of garnet low lights. A serious lather builds on top of the beer with soft ivory foam and is insistent on enduring the session. As the foam slowly recedes to an even sheet across the glass, intricate lacing creeps onto the snifter.

An array of aromas share its bouquet, seemingly one scent at a time. As the nose eclipses the glass, notions of dried fruit, brown sugar, and molasses make me thing fruitcake (in the most delightful way possible). Another whiff delivers ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg much like gingersnap cookies. As the alcohols warm, a masculine scent of rum-based bread pudding catches the ire of alcohol inspired adult in me.

But it's the actual fig infusion that becomes the common thread of the beer and locks all of those flavors down. Otherwise, it is the underlying malt taste of molasses, brown sugar, and maple that commands its taste. Now, the earthen sweetness of the dried dark pitted fruit, and other cherry-like esters, that gives the sweetness a twang and savory balance. Further complementary tastes of orange zest clove, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom really pulls this beer into the realm of Christmas in a semi-eggnog kinda way. Light in hops, the beer relies on its sheer complexity and gruit spices for balance and digestibility.

Its robust texture is set up with firm malt richness and its embedded carbonation for a full and lightly chewy mouthfeel. Rummy alcohols begin to slice into the bready malt for peppery warmth, thinning sweetness, and overall spicy middle palate. Finishing malty-dry with a hint of toast and chocolate, the complexities continue to build even deep in aftertaste.

2XMAS is your quintessential "Winter Warmer" that's designed for those Christmas parties. And with the alcohol strength to sooth the mind, it may just make the office party tolerable this year! (...now off to find those damn sugarplums.)

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2012 18:17:08 | More by BEERchitect

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap 11/28/2012 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a tulip pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark reddish brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, spices, some fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with a hearty malt character. Then strong flavors of ginger, caramel and fruit come in. The hops presence is mild and provides a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, good kick, decent representation of style, it’s a decent beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 02:42:35 | More by TheManiacalOne

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a pint glass,

A dark and murky brown orange appearance with a small off white head. The beer is very christmas-y. An absolute ton of cinnamon and nutmeg. There is also clove and perhaps all spice. The malts are quite caramel and toffee based and are very subtle and are mere accents to all the beers spices. The feel is rather big and syrupy to this brew. It is a sipping winter beer that isnt quick to go down. This is on par with great lakes chrismas ale in terms of taste. This is a very, very christmas-y beer and a decent example of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 01:33:13 | More by TwelveOunces

PorterLambic

Florida

1.83/5  rDev -51.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Arrives a clear, bright, medium reddish brown with a small, creamy, light tan head. Retention is short. Inconsequential lacing.
Smell is menthol, like in cough drops, with some indeterminate fruit or malt note. The clove is so heavy here that it overpowers any other notes. I could find no fig, orange peel, hops or malt here.
Taste is exactly the same as the smell, sadly. Clove and spice is just a two-fisted punch to the palate that obliterates all other flavors. None of the listed flavors could be found with that much spice.
Medium body, sharp effervescence up front fades super fast. Medicinal/clove note just lasts forever. I like clove but not by the bucketload. Slightly warming. Nothing really to recommend it. Sorry.
This would be excellent to baste a ham. Mix it up with some brown sugar and reduce it then glaze that ham, man.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 01:09:47 | More by PorterLambic

Kendo

New York

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

Had it on tap at the Lionheart in Albany, where it was part of their "Southern Tier Tap Takeover Night."

A: Body is dark coppery amber with a small off-whitish head. Left a little lace on the glass.

S: Definitely spicy - I get ginger and cinnamon in the nose.

T: First impression is simple: spice. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg fill the spice bill. Brown sugar and a solid malt foundation provide sweetness as well. However, there's a solid hop bitterness (think lemony bitterness) at the end that fights to balance the spice.

M: Medium in heft, pretty smooth but with some modest carbonation.

O: Good stuff. Bigger than your usual holiday offering, and while the spice takes center stage, as is typical for a ST beer, it's no slouch in the hops department. I like.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2012 02:09:45 | More by Kendo

Lawl3ss

Texas

4.09/5  rDev +8.2%
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 +1.6%
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 +5.8%
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 +9.8%
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 +4.5%
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 +0.5%
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 +3.2%
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 +8.5%
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 -8.5%
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 +8.5%
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 +8.2%
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 -39.2%
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 +1.6%
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 +5.8%
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 +5.8%
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 -7.4%
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