2XMAS - Southern Tier Brewing Company

ksimons

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-a clear brown amber with a very thin layer of lace around the top

S-malty, caramel, spices, and figs

T-taste matches the smell, lots of spices, big malt presence, and caramel

M-medium body, light to medium carbonation

Overall a very spicy holiday beer. Well hidden ABV and lots of malt. Good choice if you are in the mood for a holiday beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 23:10:11 | More by ksimons

Greywulfken

New York

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

A: deep amber with red-orange highlights, finger of tan head that leaves sparse motes of lace behind

S: seasonal fruit and spice suggestions, like fig and clove, dates and nutmeg

T: following the nose, you get sweet malts with holiday spice and ripe fruit accents

M: medium body, slick on the tongue, only a mild bitterness on the finish

O: tried this beer at both room temp and out of the fridge to warm along the way and it represented well at all temperatures. A nice holiday beer in the same spirit as Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. Nice warming, easy compliment to most holiday dishes, great for easy drinking with a little more heart and holiday ambience than a pale or year-round beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 22:02:42 | More by Greywulfken

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4.13/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Kasteel goblet

Appearance- Dark red and almost opaque with 3/4 finger of off white head that has tiny bubbles. The head dissipates down to almost nothing. No lacing really.

Smell- Clove and cinnamon are most promenint.

Taste- This follows the nose with a bit of gingerbread flavor also added in.

Mouthfeel- It has a pretty heavy body that works well with the spice. The back of the tounge get a slight warming.

Overall- An excellent Christmas seasonal. All the smells and tastes of Christmas with a great mouthfeel and a nice warming finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 21:35:54 | More by BrownAleMale

stxp

New York

3.45/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

appearance: deep brown, thick head doesnt stay long, nice big carbonation

smell: spice, lemon/limey, a bit of sulfur, soda-like

taste: ginger, nutmeg, holiday spices, a bit fruity like lime, slightly bitter, piney hop

mouthfeel: very clean, fast finish, slight lemon linger

overall: not much alcohol warmth, plenty of holiday spice, a tad bitter, good sweater weather beer

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:31:44 | More by stxp

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A-dark brownish cherry colored with a thin almost non-existent cream colored head

S-actually smells almost like tart dark cherries and cinnamon. i smell ginger and also maybe some....curry...i know it sounds weird, but it's true. smells awesome though. very unique. good strength.

T-comes in with the cinnamon, ginger, and yes...the curry. there is no spicy bite to it though, like other beers I've had with a curry flavor. it is an odd mix that is followed by a short bitterness. the after-taste is like a wintery spiced holiday bread. the more you drink it, the more flavors just start to blend together.

M-sticky medium carbonation with a fairly dry finish

O-I'd call this a winter warmer. it's an okay beer, though I expect more from Southern Tier. I got a bit too excited when I first saw this...I didn't know what to expect, but when ST names a beer 2XMAS....i expect it to taste completely like christmas. I'm not sure what that would be, but it wasn't this beer. definitely a decent drinker though, I'm glad i got this...but I probably won't be getting it again. the nose is where this beer should stay.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 03:09:12 | More by AdamBear

adamette

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Live review. Poured from the growler that I had filled at World Wines & Liquor in Mentor, Ohio last week for $10.99 into a clean, clear glass.

A Pleasing 2 inch light brown, creamy head takes several minutes to dissipate down to a thin layer of a translucent, dark brown or mohagany body. Pleasing look. I really like the thick, confident head. 4.5

S Warmth of figs and spices over a malt backdrop and little hops bitterness in the smell. Really nice "warm" smell that welcomes you in. 4.0

T The warmth from the smell carries right into the taste. This is a not overly sweet malt based beer which is akin to a cookie rather than a spoonful of molasses or honey. There is a nice grain body to the beer and the spices and figs complement it all nicely. I really like the taste of this beer. After some repeated sips...and my second glass...I have noticed a kind of a dropping off of the taste...it kind of flattens out after the beginning and middle taste. 4.0

M Nice grain bigness through most of the feel but again it kind of drops off and settles into a lingering malt and spice aftertaste. 3.5

D/O Drinkability is quite good for the elevated ABV of this 8.0% beer. Overall this is a fine seasonal beer. I enjoyed it and I believe that you will too. 4.0

Serving type: growler

12-13-2012 03:05:04 | More by adamette

AC-Mivsek

Ohio

4.71/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A- Pours dark red with a thin white head which leaves some good lacing.

S- Nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and a bit of pine.

T- Comes on strong with gingerbread and cinnamon with some dark fruits in there as well.

M- Medium carbonation with a medium body. Not too heavy, but not light. Hard to tell it is 8%.

O- Definitely one of the best Christmas ales I've had. Beautifully crafted,and dangerously delicious.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 00:03:15 | More by AC-Mivsek

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

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +19.5%
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

hosehead83

Ohio

3.85/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Deep copper in color, with a big tan cap of foam.
Aroma-Nutmeg, clove, cinnamon
Taste-Spicy, nutmeg, cinnamon, underlying orange peel. Warming and flavorfull, a nice match for a plate of Christmas cookies.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 22:37:14 | More by hosehead83

claspada

New Jersey

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

Pours a dark cloudy amber color with a small eggshell head that recedes to leave some spotty lacing.

Aromas begin quite like a spiced loaf of holiday bread. I get cardamom first and foremost with accompanying cinnamon and ginger. Then I get the toasted sweet bready pale malts and equal caramel malts with emerging citrus zest notes.

The tastes follow the nose with the toasted bready sweet maltiness and caramelized malts. There is a raisiny, figgy, dark fruitiness next and the finish is dominated by the spice notes once again of cardamom, cinnamon and clove.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is gently sweet and spicy but neither one is overly so.

Overall I enjoyed this beer. The mouthfeel was a little lacking but the overall flavor profile delivers what it advertises as a Christmasy spiced holiday ale. Sometimes the spices are horribly overdone (mainly with clove or ginger) but here they are restrained and work in balance with each other and the base beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 18:36:32 | More by claspada

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

BasterdInABasket

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, BOB 10/19/12, poured into Tulip glass
A- Ruby/Brownish in color, one finger off-white head recedes quickly, little retention, lacing
S- Fresh mint, gingerbread dominate, nutmeg, cinnamon
T- A lot of mint, almost peppermint schnapps-like, ginger, generously spiced, some sweetness, flavors linger on nicely in the mouth
M- Medium body, decent carbonation, could go for a little bigger body
O- Hope this becomes an annual offering, one of my favorite Christmas beers, best to let it warm a little though to let the mintiness? blend in with the other spices

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 05:48:22 | More by BasterdInABasket

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

sommersb

Tennessee

3.83/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tasted On: 12-08-2012
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Mug
Purchased: 6-pack from Midtown, Nashville

Since this was modeled off of a Swedish Glögg, I wanted to try it warmed up as well as cold, since a glögg is a warm, mulled wine. I tried the 2XMAS cold, at room temps, and also heated on the stove. My primary notes are from the cold sample, with comments on the other varieties.

A: Dark amber and clear beer, with lot of bubbles seen. Retention and lacing are OK.

S: Spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove, plus dark sweet fruits and juniper twigs.

T: Taste is spicy and also sweet, as from caramel malts. Also get dark fruits are more evergreen/juniper as noted in the smell.

M: Carbonation is average, with a medium body. Aftertastes are sweet and spicy, with more evergreen flavor.

O: Very different and highly spiced beer. Initially I didn't like it but it's starting to grow on me.

Room temperature differences: The head was bigger with this sample, but the aromas seemed more muted. Taste was not as crisp and included some unwelcome vegetable notes. The carbonation seemed less, but the spices were more prominent in the finish. I enjoyed this sample, but thought the chilled was better and easier to drink.

Heated differences: Heated on the stovetop, the head was the creamiest of all, with better retention and lacing present. Aromas gave more of a nod to the dark fruits (figs) than the spices. The taste when heated became significantly more bitter and astringent - not pleasant. Aftertastes are dominated by burnt, roasted flavors. Overall, the heated version was my least favorite and was not something I'd want to repeat.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 01:56:25 | More by sommersb

Mgm54

New York

4.23/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving type - 12oz bottle, popped it open the second I got back from the store. Date of bottling right on the bottle (read, 10/24/12)

A - a deep mahogany red, wonderful color, exactly what I want out of a beer like this. The dark color makes me feel the weight of the spices more

S - Smells like a wonderful gingerbread cookie cookie, and the aroma fills the area around it when poured out of the bottle into a glass. This is exactly what I want when I open a beer like this, and the smell simply makes me happy to drink the beer

T - Reminds me of a gingerbread cookie, or some spiced egg nog. the spices are the forefront of this beer, and unfortunately hides the fig and orange taste of the beer a bit. That said, fig and orange are defiantly present, and you will notice them. Great taste, just can seem like a little much at times. But, If this one is in the mood for one of these beers, 2XMAS will not disappoint

M - good mouth-feel, but I wish it was stronger, maybe creamier.

O - Great beer, would recommend a six pack every holiday season. I will 100% be in the mood for this beer many times over the cold months, and might have to buy another sixer soon.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 23:14:18 | More by Mgm54

minterro

Michigan

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought at Spartan Spirits, poured into a snifter. About 2.50 for a single.

A&S: very bready, spicy (ginger and cinnamon mostly), citrus but not . Dark ruby semi translucent red beer. Head, even when poured vigorously, forms a think tan layer that disappears quickly.

T&M: not as spicy as the nose until the finish. Alcohol is well hidden. You get the dark fruit that it claims towards the back-end. Low carbonation and pretty think body

Overall: I would say its a crowd pleaser. I had a try from another bottle and this beer was amazing this time around it was more bland and thin. Not great for the price but not awful at the same time. Wouldn't buy again but wouldn't turn one down either.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 19:55:05 | More by minterro

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

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

Picked this up in Totowa, having never tried this before. I'm usually leery or Herbed/Spiced beers but this one stood out above the others that I've had in recent years. For starters, the base is strong enough that the spices don't stand out enough. Second, the aftertaste lingered quite nicely and finally, the alcohol was well hidden and complemented everything well. This was different than I expected and quite a fast sipper for something this strong.

The pour to this was good, with a dark almond hue, moderately decent head, and just a bit of sediment in the bottle that had to get swirled out in the end. Not much of a nose to this and hardly any lacing to be seen but the taste was amazingly smooth and easy to enjoy. Lots of cinnamon and nutmeg with a hint of wood and curry-like spice that warmed me up during each sip. Not a lot of carbonation here but the malt was certainly present and this almost reminded me of Goldschlager, minus the flakes. This felt like Schnapps with just a bit more brown sugar and less booze to overwhelm everything else.

That's not to say that it wasn't here, since I could certainly feel a slight buzz by the end of my session. Nice job on Southern Tier here not only with the beer but for coming out with something spiced that made me forget about all of the similar beers that lined the store shelves in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Got a nice crumb cake or bowl full of sugar cookies at home? Get this to go with 'em - they'll pair up quite nicely.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 09:19:03 | More by JerzDevl2000

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

brureview

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice. 1/2 finger head.

Nice, but not strong aroma of spices-especially Cinnamon.

Attractive dark tea color.

Mouth feel: strong carbonation enhances the style.

Taste: very spicy, orange peel and citrus.

Overall: very enjoyable holiday seasonal with a good spicy taste. Will drink again.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 03:53:00 | More by brureview

djspe

Massachusetts

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

A wonderful winter seasonal brew with a bite. I don't taste the figs as much as as orange peel and nutmeg, it definitely hits the mark as an xmas beer. Quite drinkable on it's own and wonderful with a warm bowl of curry. Pleasant carbonation, a bit sweeter than I normally like but you can't tell this is a triple caliber abv. Would definitely buy again, I'm not sure I would want to drink more than one in a sitting though.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 00:51:07 | More by djspe

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

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

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

Christmas time is here and there are many festive beers being released, so this is the first for my Christmas time collection of reviews. Lets dig in!

A: This beer pours a deep amber color with a soapy off white 1/4 inch head that leaves some good lacing. The head has a lot of little tiny bubbles on top as well.

S: I get some cinnamon spice along with nutmeg. The aroma follows through with some earthy notes like clove and some orange peel.

T: Initial taste consists of spices, nutmeg and cinnamon. The body up brings some flavors of caramel, toasted malts, and orange peel. Has a little bit of a bready dryness in the finish.

M: Lots of carbonation, definitely a festive session beer. Has lots of spices combined with and earthy texture in the mouth.

O: Really enjoyed this beer, like the Old Man Winter one a little bit better than this, but overall a great festive brew. At 8%abv, you cant go wrong and the high octane isnt even noticeable, so thats a plus.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 04:19:40 | More by SouljaSaia17

stephenjmoore

Maryland

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

A- Dark mahogany colored body with a thin off-white head that disappears quickly. Slight transparency, but mostly dark and cloudy.

S- Clove, orange, cinnamon, dried fruits, caramel malt. Really spice-forward, with fruit in the back.

T- Very spice-forward in the taste as well. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon are all there, with some some dark fruits and orange mixed in. Hard to get beyond the spice.

M- Full-bodied, with a feeling of dried spice. Almost like cinnamon that was not mixed in completely. A sipper with tons of flavors.

O- Pretty much the holiday verision of pumking. Tons of in your face seasonal flavors. Good beer, that may be tough to drink multiples of.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 02:22:01 | More by stephenjmoore

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a snifter.

Appearance
Deep garnet with a 1/2 finger of head that dissipates immediately. Good clarity and very low carbonation.

Nose
Ginger, cinnamon, candy sugar, orange zest and biscuit.

Taste
Very spice forward with ginger root and cinnamon. Honey, caramel and biscuit. Some fig, black licorice and orange zest.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, crisp and spicy.

Overall
I was really hoping for more fig. Really over-spiced and somewhat cloying, but the alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 00:58:39 | More by justintcoons