2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.1/5  rDev +8.2%
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

oberon

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic a deep amber tinged brown with very little head to speak of,what there was was off white color.Deep fig and winter spice notes in the nose,alcohol and fruit cake notes linger.Candied figs with the orange peel underneath on the palate,cakey and rich with mild drying hops to keep the sweetness from going over the top.The lack of carbonation is actually good in the feel,it's mellow and almost chewey.A real warmer and true to the CHRISTmas season.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 22:15:54 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

A tad early for any decorations or festive merry-making, but I'm too much of a ticker to let a new Southern Tier 2X beer sit on the bench. This stuff pours a clear sunrise garnet topped by a finger of dusty wan tan foam. The nose comprises ginger, light peppermint, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, gingerbread cookies, and candied orange peel. The taste focuses on that orange peel, along with a bit of rye bread, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda grainy feel. Overall, a pretty solid Christmas beer, one that certainly lives up to its billing as a glogg beer, though the spicing may be a bit much.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 20:19:56 | More by TMoney2591

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

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.53/5  rDev -6.9%
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

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out brown-ish red color with a thin white head. The head fades rapidly. The smell of the beer has a pretty good spicy aroma to it. The taste is sweet with a spicy flavor, some berry notes and cinnamon mostly. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and has a smooth carbonation to it. Overall it's a decent holiday brew. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 23:58:59 | More by Knapp85

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

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Good initial head that leaves a blanket of lace. The broth is brown and clear.

Strong spice aroma--nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice.

Slightly oily from the high alcohol level. Lots of pumpkin pie spice flavors. Rich body, low carbonation. Rather one dimensional in the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 02:13:07 | More by smcolw

Billolick

New York

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

12 ounce bottle. "DOB 10/22/12" etched onto the bottle.

Pours a nice warm shade of darker amber, with a dark ruby glow. Moderate sized dark tan head. Nothing special, film, collar and lace.

The nose is loaded with holiday spice.

Flavorful, fruity, sweet, highly spiced...tastes like a holiday fruit cake, in a good way. On the heavier side mouthfeel wise. Would work well with holiday desserts or as a holly jolly night capper. I like it

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 03:54:02 | More by Billolick

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark copper/chestnut brown color with mahogany edges and a half finger off-white head that immediately fades into a very thin ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

Complex aroma with lots of sweet malt and zesty, earthy spice. Potpurri like aroma with flower petals, cinnamon, brown sugar, clove and allspice followed by caramel malt cherry and dark fruit notes. There's event a peppermint like presence. I don't know how Southern Tier does it but this beer smells just like XMas, creating an olfactory sensation that triggers childhood memories. Crazy!

Medium bodied with tight carbonation and a heavy spice presence that's countered by sweet malt, dark fruit and a medicinal syrupy flavor. This medicinal flavor tends to be overwhelming in holiday beers it's kept in check here by the other characteristics. Lots of cinnamon, pepper, allspice and clove along with cherry cough drop and other dark berries. Slight alcohol sweetness but the high ABV is well masked with little to no heat. A little heavy on the spices but it's a pretty good holiday beer that's easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 09:20:40 | More by corby112

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

Brad007

Vermont

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

Pours a beautiful burgundy with a one-finger head into my glass. I love the color a lot. Very festive in its' only way.

Sweet with gingerbread, a touch of alcohol and dates. It certainly is festive aroma-wise! I actually want to drink it.

Ditto for the flavor. It's rather strong but I can still detect the spiciness from the nose and a molasses-like texture.

Really warms up the palate! Truth be told, I find it a little overwhelming at this point. It never gets too sweet or too spicy.

Try a bottle fresh and then put another bottle away for a few months and then try it again. I plan on doing so, except that the next bottle I buy, I'll promptly age. It has potential.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 23:36:12 | More by Brad007

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

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Medium ruby, rust, and bronze color. About one finger of head after the pour. This recedes to a thin ring of foam, and thats it as far as retention. There's a few sluggish bubbles making their way to the top of the brew.

The nose is full of spices. Lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon, and other Holiday spices I can't discern. I can smell a little fig here and there. But the overall aroma is dominated by XMAS spices.

Taste starts with figs then some faint, toasted, orange peel. Middle has roasted malts, toasted figs, and some cinnamon and nutmeg. The spices aren't as dominant with the flavor as they are with aroma. The palate is a little syrupy, sweet overall, and a nice warmth from the alcohol do add to the Glogg-like affect of this beer. If you like spiced beers, this one is worth trying for sure. Or if you like the taste of liquid XMAS, pick up a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 17:50:10 | More by scruffwhor

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

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, bottled on 10/17/12. Served in a chalice, the beer pours a clear ruby red color with about a quarter inch off-white head that didn't stay around for too long. Not much lacing. Aroma is sweet and spicy, it smells like ginger, cinnamon, orange peel, candied oranges, figs, and some cloves. Taste is pretty much just like the aroma, except that there's a slight bitterness noticeable. Also, the aroma seems stronger compared to the flavor of the beer. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick with moderate carbonation. I think it's a good overall brew, I know I'll be enjoying the rest of my 6-pack! $10.99 a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 22:12:54 | More by bluejacket74

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a cool winter beer, with figs and orange peel. the pours is darker brown with a tanish head nice and thick and lasting. the nose is really christmasy, like mulled wine almost, clove and anise, orange and definite sweetness from the figs. my first fig beer i think. the flavor is the same as the nose, with all the elements mixing together really nicely. sweeter on the back end, like molassas, with a huge malt body, dark and roasty but not black. finish is quick for a beer of this style. big body, enough bubbles, and plenty of booze for the cold evenings. overall a clever winter warmer that i will be enjoying all holiday season long.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 15:51:50 | More by StonedTrippin

alexgash

Connecticut

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

12 oz. bottle.

Dark ruby-garnet body. Mostly clear. Small, pinkie finger of light beige head. Some lacing. Plenty of malt and spice on the nose. Gingerbread, molasses, fruitcake malts. Festive blend of spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice (?). One of the "spicier" holiday beers I've smelled.

Singed caramel up front. Slight herbal bitterness follows, quickly overtaken by sweetish malt. Figs, gingerbread, and milk chocolate. Spices gradually increase into the finish. Nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon. Slightly roasted bitterness in the finish. Lingering malt sweetness. Medium-full body with a nice, creamy feel. A very nice, not overly spiced, winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 02:00:11 | More by alexgash

tdm168

North Carolina

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

A - amber with a thin lacing of white head

S - ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, dark fruit

T - dark fruit, nutmeg, cinnamon, faint bittersweet chocolate, mildly bitter

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This beer is typical yet unique. It has all of the traditional winter spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger, but the dark fruit makes all the difference. This beer has complexities, subtleties, nuances...It's really a well made beer. This is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:04:00 | More by tdm168

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

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

A - Well for a winter warmer/Christmas beer this is a very dark beer. Clear yet deep shade of brown with just a sticky lace ring.

S - Smell is very malty with touches of fig/raisin, cinnamon/nutmeg, and very little hops.

T - A lot going on here. Starts off light with nutmeg and then towards the middle of the palate I am getting some orange peel/figs. It has a great cinnamon hit at the end that reminds me of Great Lakes Christmas ale. Tasty.

M - Medium bodied yet drinks fantastic. Even though its heavily spiced I could see drinking a couple in a sitting no problem.

Overall worth picking up if you love the pumpkin spice fall beers or heavily spiced Christmas beers. These guys know how to brew great beer!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 23:46:07 | More by DrDemento456

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2XMAS into a pint glass. I grabbed a single of this for 2 beans.

2XMAS goes in the glass a dark chestnut brown shade that is able to be seen through. Not to much activity on the top, just a sparse amount of off white bubbles that die down quick. Eventually, the beer looks dead. Smell gives me a mix of a spiced beer and a winter warmer. The fig representation is large, behind that caramel malt, some dark fruit scents, plum, and light chocolate. More spice with warming. This takes some sips to get used to, off put by the large fig presense, the caramel/chocolate malt combo comes through in the middle, followed by a spicy finish. Hops are minimal and not making a dent. body is smooth and a healthy medium with almost no carbonation down the gullet, this one is nearing flat, I think maybe this is intentional in the Glogg tradition. While I enjoyed this I dont see myself making this a tradition, good for the season though. Would probably pair well with some Christmas ham. Never having a Swedish Glogg, I am now intrigued to try one out.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 03:50:58 | More by onix1agr

Durge

Connecticut

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

A dark brown/mahogany color with a fair tan head that holds as a thin cover with decent lacing. The aroma suggests a definite holiday theme with sweet evergreen and light licorice malt. Very nice for a Christmas brew. The flavor follows with plenty of juniper nutmeg and cereal malt. Sweet spiciness and pretty thick malt presence. A good mix with medium body and a resinous feel, modest carbonation. A great seasonal brew that further confirms my continued faith in Southern Tier. Bravo!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 03:47:41 | More by Durge

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

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

oline73

Maryland

3.25/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a Chimay goblet.

Appearance: The beer pours a cloudy reddish dark brown color, there is more red to this one than brown. There is a layer of off white head that fades quickly to a ring on top of the pour.

Smell: Definitely a Christmas beer. I'm getting a slightly sweet malt component that reminds me of dark fruit and cherries. I'm also getting some Christmas spices and mild orange peel.

Taste: Not nearly as sweet as the smell indicates. There is a dark fruit/sweet grain component but it is overshadowed by the Christmas spices. The finish is really bitter. I'm getting some citrus fruit hops along with a strong spice component. I think the bitterness level is too high here.

Mouthfeel: The body is medium with a lot of tingly carbonation and a very dry finish.

Overall: I think the spices and hops made the finish too bitter. The sweeter flavors needed to be featured a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 00:57:56 | More by oline73