2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company

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

curasowa

New York

3.35/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Clear, copper color with just a thin cap of head that fades quickly to a ring.

Aroma: Very bright, sweet and floral, with candied fruit and molasses notes and hints of toasted malt in the background.

Taste: Very crisp up front, with lots of spice and some of that oily bitterness from the orange peel. Toasted caramel malt shows-up in the middle and then some mild hop bitterness on the tail end with a bunch more spice, which leaves a somewhat astringent finish.

The Rest: Quite spicy, but with enough body underneath to make it tolerable. Overall a decent winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 00:42:39 | More by curasowa

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm usually impressed with Southern Tier beers. They always seem to be spot-on, challenging, and very rewarding. Unfortunately, that's not the case with 2XMas. It's a clear, reddish colored liquid with a thin tan head. Medium carbonation. The smell is fruit and spice, with a bit of toasted malt in the background. The fruit is hard to place. The label says fig, but I'm getting a lot of orange and lemon peel. The peel/rind theme plays into the taste as well, which is also full of fruit and spice...a bit of bitterness from the former, as well as the latter. Firm body, good balance. The beer just doesn't really come together, though...the bitterness is distracting. Not bad, just not up to my expectations.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 00:30:12 | More by Suds

CuriousMonk

Virginia

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

Pours a deep amber brown color with a half inch of off-white. Aromas of pine, clove, cinnamon and citrus zest aroma, a little yeast. Flavors of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise and roasty malts. Tartness and warmth is certainly supplied by ABV and malt. Medium mouthfeel along with some soft carbonation throughout. Finish offers a doughy feel and a spicy taste. Overall, a really nice holiday surprise for 2012.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 19:06:53 | More by CuriousMonk

kylehay2004

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
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

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Clear, deep ruby red with a slightly yellow, off-white head that builds nicely and dissipates slowly leaving behind no lace at all with just a foam ring of retention. Oily, it seems.

S: I'm glad I saved this for Christmas Eve. Big holiday spice nose. I get the orange peel and fig, but also raisins, earth, moss, spiced cake, nutmeg, dark fruit preserves, and a bit of roasted malt. There's something in there I can't decipher. As it warms, it seems to get hotter and the aromas meld into just spices. Strange.

T: Interesting. Properly spiced. The fruit flavors are pleasant and the sweetness is never overwhelming. The roasted malt and alcohol show themselves more as the beer warms. About half way through the bottle the spices and sweetness end up becoming a bit overwhelming.

M: Nice carbonation, pleasant malt and fruit flavors, but also a bit cloying. Seems to be too much going on. Enjoyable, though, and drinkable for what it is. Medium-to-heavy body.

O: I've never had Swedish Glogg but I can imagine this being an accurate representation of the style because it goes well with cold weather. The flavors are strong as is the ABV but it comes together to make a good beer for the season. One bottle is enough, though, and I'm glad I didn't get a 6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 21:45:01 | More by Gatch

StoutHunter

Michigan

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

I picked up a bottle of Southern Tier's 2XMAS last week for $1.89 at The Lager Mill. I've heard good things about this beer so when I saw it at the store I decided to give it a chance, so lets see how it goes. 2012 Vintage. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into a tulip.

A- The label is nice and a little eye catching with a nice Christmas theme to it. It poured a nice darker amber color that took one some nice ruby hues when held to the light with two fingers worth of darker tan head that died down to a thin ring that eventually faded to nothing and left some patch lacing behind. This is a good looking beer, I have no complaints.

S- The aroma starts off with loads of spices with cinnamon and nutmeg sticking out the most, but it's got all the spices that make me think of the holidays. After that comes a medium amount of sweetness with some nice dark fruits with raisin and figs sticking out the most followed by some malty, molasses and honey like aromas. Towards the end I get a slight earthy hop aroma. This beer had a really good aroma, it smelled like Christmas in a glass, I really liked it.

T- The taste seems to pretty similar to the aroma, it starts off with a medium amount of sweetness followed some malts that impart some dark bread, and grainy flavors with some molasses and honey coming through, After that comes the dark fruits that are a little on the lighter side and impart a nice fig flavor. Next comes the spice which aren't overpowering and have all the nice spices that I picked up in the aroma. On the finish there's a little bit of alcohol and a slight earthy hop flavor followed by a medium amount of bitterness and a sweet, malty, spicy, and fig like aftertaste. This was a good tasting beer, it was fairly balanced, the spices weren't overpowering and the figs added some nice complexity that I don't normally get in these Spiced Beers, I liked it.

M- Fairly smooth, a little sticky, a little dry, medium bodied with a nice amount of medium carbonation. This beer had a nice mouthfeel but it would be a little better if it wasn't sticky.

Overall I thought this was a good beer and a good example of the style, it had all the things that I look for in the style and little more complexity and balance than I normally find in this style, I thought that worked pretty well with this beer. This beer had ok drinkability, it went down fairly smooth and the flavor held my attention but I don't think that I would want to follow it up with another one. What I like the most about this beer was the aroma , it's pretty intense with lots of spices going on, like I said it smells like Christmas in a glass. What I liked the least about this beer was the mouthfeel, it wasn't bad at all, but I could go with out the stickyness. I would buy a couple bottles for Christmas next year but this isn't a beer I'll be really stocking up on, I recommend giving this a try if your in the mood for a good spiced Christmas Ale. All in all I was pretty happy with this beer, it was pretty fitting for the holiday season and the aroma and taste seemed to embody Christmas in beer form. Southern Tier seems to be a pretty solid brewery and I think all three beers in the 2X series are good, I hope to see some new beers added to this series. Good job Southern Tier this is a nice Holiday brew, it makes me want to throw some logs in the fireplace.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 04:47:15 | More by StoutHunter

scvance

South Carolina

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

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours a deep amber color, with a thin white head. Poor retention and no lacing. Smells of holiday spice and malt, slight alcohol notes. Tastes similarly, rich caramel malts up front with a good amount of spice character. Slight alcoholic taste towards the finish along with a very slight bitterness. Hop bitterness is almost non-existent, so this beer is unbalanced and malty. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, for the style, this beer does a fine job. Very good beer for the cold winter season. Very drinkable, medium body and low to medium carbonation. I recommend giving it a try if you're looking for a good winter seasonal for those cold nights.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 22:18:53 | More by scvance

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

4.48/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2XMAS ale pours a clear brown color, with a decent size lacing head. There are strong hints of cinnamon, ginger, and figs aroma. There is a strong malty backbone, with lots of spices mixing together; tastes like ginger snap cookie. Easy to drink and full flavor. Overall a fantastic Christmas style ale, full flavor, sweet, and a bit unique.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 23:06:49 | More by vette2006c5r

suspect

New York

4.43/5  rDev +16.9%
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

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A - Deep amber, hazed, off white head has some retention and lacing.

S/T - Almost like a Belgian-style dark ale with dark fruit yeast esters in smell and taste. Brightens up on the back end with orange peel and some pine hop bitterness. Some warming alcohol through the finish.

M - Full body, medium carbonation, smooth going down.

O - Nice take on the winter warmer style. I like how the addition of orange peel brightens up the darker fruit flavors.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 13:39:15 | More by garuda

atr2605

New York

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

A-pours a deep red amber with an off white head with nice retention that leaves a slight foam
S-dark fruit, pine, honey
T-molasses and dark fruit up front followed by hop bitterness, then honey and pine in the finish
M-medium bodied
O-very unique holiday beer. The pine is something that is typical of christmas but I havent found in many holiday beers. I would definitely pick this up again

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 03:18:13 | More by atr2605

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear copper with a thin tan head. Really unique smelling nose. Fruit cake and fig jam, cinnamon sugar cookies. Really smells like the holidays.

Tastes like dark fruit jam on the tip of the tongue on cinnamon raisin bread. Rich creamy mouthfeel. Mild carbonation. Finishes with holiday spice to balance the sweetness. This is an awesome beer with complimentary flavors that really work well together. The flavors are actually kind of mild which makes it a nice supper. Can't detect the alcohol at all.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 02:25:43 | More by jtierney89

AnalogReigns

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Nice appearing ale, but with a very british, quickly disappearing head.

S: Aroma is nice, figs and cinnamon. Sophisticated subtle Christmas spices.

T: Taste is really excellent--distinctly spiced, but like most current top quality Christmas beers, subtle, and not over the top. Cinnamon and sweet figs come through to my palate, with moderate to low carbonation.

M: Good mouthfeel, just right for the style.

O: Overall, one of the best, if not THE best Christmas beer I've had this year. Better than Anchor Christmas (as that stuff is just too spiced) and not quite as sweet as Anderson Valley Winter Solstice...just a really sophisticated, top quality Christmas ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 00:16:57 | More by AnalogReigns

KajII

North Carolina

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

[Suggested Glassware: Tulip Glass]

The pour was a clear dark cranberry red with a small (less than 1 finger) light brown creamy head that receded steadily, down to a small puddled film and small collar with excellent full sheeting of lacing.

The aroma was a complex mix of scents with a light grain malt and a sweaty yeast along with notes of citrus (orange peel), ginger, clove, cinnamon, dark fruit (figs and raisons) and a pronounced Glögg (mulled wine) odor.

The taste was lightly sweet with hints of dark fruit and Glögg from the get go, becoming a tad bitter and rather yeasty with hints of orange peel and cinnamon somewhere in the middle and a spicy alcohol ending. The flavor lasted a nice long time following the swallow, with a spicy yeast infused alcohol warming sensation lingering on for a little while longer.

Mouthfeel was almost medium in body and dry in texture with a somewhat bold carbonation.

Overall this brew is what Winter Warmers are all about, lots of spicy flavor and a good alcohol warming at the end...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 15:19:16 | More by KajII

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a one-finger, khaki colored head of foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of spice and orange peel. Lots of Christmas aromas.

T - Big Christmas spice flavor - nutmeg, cinnamon and orange. Good roasted malt backbone adds balance.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a fairly dry finish.

O - Not sure what Swedish Glogg tastes like, but this is pretty good. A very Christmasy beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 05:15:29 | More by zeff80

barczar

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear reddish-amber color with a half inch light tan head that dissipates fairly quickly, leaving no lacing. Probably residue in the glass.

Smells like gingerbread. Clove, cinnamon, ginger, and brown sugar combine with floral hops and figs to create a perfumey bouquet.

Flavor reveals more ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a bit of a cloyingly sweet sorghum and toasted bready malt backbone. There's a buttery graham cracker character, as well. Notes of cola and dark fruit surface at the finish, which is rounded out by a hint of citrus. There's a lingering bitterness.

Body is fairly thick, slightly syrupy, with moderate carbonation lifting the flavor from the palate to prevent it from being overly cloying.

Overall, the spice character was not as offputting as some. There's good balance of the various spices, as opposed to some that are more dominant in one spice. That said, it's still a spice bomb. The bready malt counters the spices fairly well, but the sweetness is also over the top.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 18:55:23 | More by barczar

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - An standard pour yields the slightest of late developing light khaki colored head that quickly fizzes away... What's left is a very thin splotchy veil of lacing (and that may be an overstatement)... The color is a dull slightly muted ruby red with a faint brownish hue... Carbonation is light and moderate paced in the form of very small bubbles rising along the sides of the glass...

S - A big assertive aroma... A very pleasant mix of holiday spices are first to greet the nose... Heavy on the cinnamon... Some nutmeg... A bit of clove... Orange zest... Light brown sugar... Perhaps some fig and some raisins... Complex, robust and rather enjoyable...

T - The dominate flavors are a mix of medicinal and hoppy... Next are a thick layer of spiciness highlighted by cinnamon... Brown sugar... The orange zest and dark fruit notes take a distant back seat but are still noticeable... A bit of heat...

M - Medium bodied... Sleek... A bit sticky... Slightly dry... Slightly chalky... Light carbonation...

D - This Southern Tier offering screams Christmas Beer in a good way... If it weren't for the medicinal notes on the palate this would be a top notch seasonal offering... In it's current form it's a very nice brew and likely worthy of a six pack investment each and every holiday season...

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 03:04:07 | More by philbe311