2XSMaSH Double India Pale Ale | Southern Tier Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Southern Tier Brewing Company
New York, United States
southerntierbrewing.com
Style: American Double / Imperial IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.10%
Availability: Spring
Notes / Commercial Description:
2XSMaSH is the newest in our line of Single Malt and Single Hop India Pale Ales brewed with Mosaic hops and Special pale malt. Even simplified to one variety of hop and one type of malt, it is amazing how complex the flavor is. Mosaic hops are known for their luxurious tropical citrus notes like passionfruit and work absolutely brilliantly with the richness of Special Pale malt.
Added by superspak on 11-08-2015
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Ratings: 344 | Reviews: 90
3.75/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.18/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Giant bubbles in a fluffy white head atop a mostly orange brew. Some thin ribbons of lacing are left behind. The aroma is sweet and a bit floral with hints of blueberry and citrus fruits with a light bit of pine. The taste is quite sweet upfront with the citrus fruit and hints of blueberry and finishes with a great bitterness. The mouthfeel was substantial and the carbonation was moderate and both added to the experience of making this a quite tasty brew.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Giant bubbles in a fluffy white head atop a mostly orange brew. Some thin ribbons of lacing are left behind. The aroma is sweet and a bit floral with hints of blueberry and citrus fruits with a light bit of pine. The taste is quite sweet upfront with the citrus fruit and hints of blueberry and finishes with a great bitterness. The mouthfeel was substantial and the carbonation was moderate and both added to the experience of making this a quite tasty brew.
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4.35/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.11/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.94/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Notes.
Light scent, fruity and sweet in nature
Interesting flavor profile with sweetness almost reminiscent of pineapple or sweet fruit that quickly fades to malty finish that quells most of the bitterness. Medium/ thin mouthfeel with a drying nature. Decent.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Notes.
Light scent, fruity and sweet in nature
Interesting flavor profile with sweetness almost reminiscent of pineapple or sweet fruit that quickly fades to malty finish that quells most of the bitterness. Medium/ thin mouthfeel with a drying nature. Decent.
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3.4/5 rDev -16%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
4.19/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Traded for this beer a while ago, as the DOB on the bottle was 2/28 of last year (really, you couldn't have shot for leap day?!?!???). Regardless of that triviality, this brew held up well over time and wasn't terribly strong or potent for something of this style. The flavors were a bit stark and raw but overall, this was enjoyable in spite of the harshness and the punch that it packed.
The DOB was from 2/18 of last year as the beer still poured nice, with a reddish-mahogany hue and wonderful, lasting head of bread on top of it. Not a lot of lacing left behind but with a pour like this, who would even notice? Caramel, tropical fruits, and blood orange in the nose. Much of the latter was in the taste as this also felt like that wonderful but underrepresented flavor, with a nice creaminess and leathery texture to boot. Full body because of the biscuit malt and the tropical fruits were lasting but muted throughout my session. A slightly sticky aftertaste coated my mouth - as the caramel and hop properties meshed together nicely.
No doubt that the booze was muted here as it was never tasted and hardly felt when I finished this off. The mild warming effect was a nice touch as this beer was quite balanced and not too potent when it came to the range of flavors here. Could have been outstanding with less malt sweetness and a bit more bitterness and robust fruit flavors but as it was, this reminded me of a mixed drink a la Scotch sour or a Manhattan. One of the better and more accessible beers from Southern Tier!
1,532 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Traded for this beer a while ago, as the DOB on the bottle was 2/28 of last year (really, you couldn't have shot for leap day?!?!???). Regardless of that triviality, this brew held up well over time and wasn't terribly strong or potent for something of this style. The flavors were a bit stark and raw but overall, this was enjoyable in spite of the harshness and the punch that it packed.
The DOB was from 2/18 of last year as the beer still poured nice, with a reddish-mahogany hue and wonderful, lasting head of bread on top of it. Not a lot of lacing left behind but with a pour like this, who would even notice? Caramel, tropical fruits, and blood orange in the nose. Much of the latter was in the taste as this also felt like that wonderful but underrepresented flavor, with a nice creaminess and leathery texture to boot. Full body because of the biscuit malt and the tropical fruits were lasting but muted throughout my session. A slightly sticky aftertaste coated my mouth - as the caramel and hop properties meshed together nicely.
No doubt that the booze was muted here as it was never tasted and hardly felt when I finished this off. The mild warming effect was a nice touch as this beer was quite balanced and not too potent when it came to the range of flavors here. Could have been outstanding with less malt sweetness and a bit more bitterness and robust fruit flavors but as it was, this reminded me of a mixed drink a la Scotch sour or a Manhattan. One of the better and more accessible beers from Southern Tier!
1,532 characters
4.13/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz. Can
DOB: 05/11/2017
Pours a pretty nice clean/clear dark golden amber color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy two-finger off-white head, which also leaves some pretty nice creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is hoppy, with some maltyness, citrusy, with some pineyness. The taste is pretty nice, hoppy, nice maltyness, citrusy, piney. Medium body, ABV hidden very nicely, nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a pretty tasty brew.
461 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz. Can
DOB: 05/11/2017
Pours a pretty nice clean/clear dark golden amber color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy two-finger off-white head, which also leaves some pretty nice creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is hoppy, with some maltyness, citrusy, with some pineyness. The taste is pretty nice, hoppy, nice maltyness, citrusy, piney. Medium body, ABV hidden very nicely, nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a pretty tasty brew.
461 characters
4.31/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
My foray into Southern Tier territory as part of the reduction & eradication of The Bottle Backlog here at Chez Woody also permits me to return, albeit briefly, to what really matters: The CANQuest (tm). How exciting!
From the CAN: "Brewed only with Mosaic hops & Special Pale Malt"; "Why the hell not?"
The Crack! of a CAN being opened is like music to my ears. I could not resist performing an inverted Glug since it had been so long since I had done so. Ah, the quick formation of two-plus fingers of soapy, foamy, tawny head was too much of a force to be reckoned with & so I was forced to back down lest I end up with a mess. I watched in fascination as it slowly fell away, leaving sticky lacing in its wake. Color was solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9) with NE-quality clarity. Nose held a VERY pleasant admixture of tropical fruitiness & pine mintiness. Mmm. Mouthfeel was big, full & thick, like a dollop on my tongue! OMFG! I braced myself for a full frontal assault on my tongue, but instead, it was a gentle caress. The taste was a sweet riot of tropical fruit, but the malt was not really discernible. Still, if you were wondering what Mosaic hops do for beer, this would be the way to find out! I keep waxing nostalgic about eating tropical fruits while on deployments in the U.S. Navy, but I truly enjoyed them and I enjoy the evocative taste of mango, papaya & guava in these beers. My youth & innocence may be long gone, but my memories remain. This beer was quickly becoming naught but a memory, also. 8.1% and it was drinking like nothing. Uh oh. Finish was semi-dry with enough tropical fruity-like sweetness to keep me from calling it outright "dry". I don't know what to say about this one. I love that they put it in a CAN, but it would quickly add up if I took it to the beach in a cooler.
1,809 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
My foray into Southern Tier territory as part of the reduction & eradication of The Bottle Backlog here at Chez Woody also permits me to return, albeit briefly, to what really matters: The CANQuest (tm). How exciting!
From the CAN: "Brewed only with Mosaic hops & Special Pale Malt"; "Why the hell not?"
The Crack! of a CAN being opened is like music to my ears. I could not resist performing an inverted Glug since it had been so long since I had done so. Ah, the quick formation of two-plus fingers of soapy, foamy, tawny head was too much of a force to be reckoned with & so I was forced to back down lest I end up with a mess. I watched in fascination as it slowly fell away, leaving sticky lacing in its wake. Color was solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9) with NE-quality clarity. Nose held a VERY pleasant admixture of tropical fruitiness & pine mintiness. Mmm. Mouthfeel was big, full & thick, like a dollop on my tongue! OMFG! I braced myself for a full frontal assault on my tongue, but instead, it was a gentle caress. The taste was a sweet riot of tropical fruit, but the malt was not really discernible. Still, if you were wondering what Mosaic hops do for beer, this would be the way to find out! I keep waxing nostalgic about eating tropical fruits while on deployments in the U.S. Navy, but I truly enjoyed them and I enjoy the evocative taste of mango, papaya & guava in these beers. My youth & innocence may be long gone, but my memories remain. This beer was quickly becoming naught but a memory, also. 8.1% and it was drinking like nothing. Uh oh. Finish was semi-dry with enough tropical fruity-like sweetness to keep me from calling it outright "dry". I don't know what to say about this one. I love that they put it in a CAN, but it would quickly add up if I took it to the beach in a cooler.
1,809 characters
4.25/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.75/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The appearance was a nice hazy yet somewhat transparent through a golden amber color. The head was a nice two fingers worth of white foaminess that once it dies, there’s some nice clingy lacing along with some nice foamy valley of what’s left of the head. The smell had a decent blend of sweet citrus to sweet malt. The taste was mainly the same. The aftertaste was pure citrus sticky sweetness. It had a nice dry finish. On the palate, it sat at/about a light to medium in body and a pretty good sessionable aspect about it. The carbonation was pretty smooth but still had a nice bittersweet drying aspect running across my tongue. Overall, this was a pretty good APA more than worthy of coming back to.
708 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The appearance was a nice hazy yet somewhat transparent through a golden amber color. The head was a nice two fingers worth of white foaminess that once it dies, there’s some nice clingy lacing along with some nice foamy valley of what’s left of the head. The smell had a decent blend of sweet citrus to sweet malt. The taste was mainly the same. The aftertaste was pure citrus sticky sweetness. It had a nice dry finish. On the palate, it sat at/about a light to medium in body and a pretty good sessionable aspect about it. The carbonation was pretty smooth but still had a nice bittersweet drying aspect running across my tongue. Overall, this was a pretty good APA more than worthy of coming back to.
708 characters
3.83/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.21/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25
excellent
9 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25
excellent
9 characters
4.18/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.1/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12oz can into oversized wine glass.
Look: Amber with a massive white head that lingers. Head is airy, with big bubbles that fade to thick lace.
Smell: Big sweet and floral malt presence, some medicinal alcohol, and a citric hop note.
Taste: Balanced. Malt profile is reminiscent of an Irish whiskey or one of the gentler Scotches. Simultaneously sweet and bready, with some floral undertones. This is balanced by herbal and bitter hop notes at the middle and the end. The hops are present, but they're not overpowering. Some of that medicinal alcohol aroma shows up in the taste, as well, though it's mostly in the background. In the context of everything else, that alcohol note almost seems like an off flavor, like someone poured cough syrup into a perfectly good beer. It's not bad enough that I dislike the beer or want to stop drinking it, but I'm starting to wonder if this wouldn't have been better at a lower ABV to let the malt and the hops do their thing.
Feel: Tight carbonation keeps it from being heavy or sticky. The finish lingers, and that's where it gets a little sticky, in a good way.
Overall: I really like the concept of single malt and single hop, and I think Southern Tier has mostly done a good job highlighting the flavors here. The only issue for me is that medicinal alcohol flavor and even that isn't too bad. I am curious what would happen with the flavors at a lower ABV, though.
1,416 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
12oz can into oversized wine glass.
Look: Amber with a massive white head that lingers. Head is airy, with big bubbles that fade to thick lace.
Smell: Big sweet and floral malt presence, some medicinal alcohol, and a citric hop note.
Taste: Balanced. Malt profile is reminiscent of an Irish whiskey or one of the gentler Scotches. Simultaneously sweet and bready, with some floral undertones. This is balanced by herbal and bitter hop notes at the middle and the end. The hops are present, but they're not overpowering. Some of that medicinal alcohol aroma shows up in the taste, as well, though it's mostly in the background. In the context of everything else, that alcohol note almost seems like an off flavor, like someone poured cough syrup into a perfectly good beer. It's not bad enough that I dislike the beer or want to stop drinking it, but I'm starting to wonder if this wouldn't have been better at a lower ABV to let the malt and the hops do their thing.
Feel: Tight carbonation keeps it from being heavy or sticky. The finish lingers, and that's where it gets a little sticky, in a good way.
Overall: I really like the concept of single malt and single hop, and I think Southern Tier has mostly done a good job highlighting the flavors here. The only issue for me is that medicinal alcohol flavor and even that isn't too bad. I am curious what would happen with the flavors at a lower ABV, though.
1,416 characters
3.77/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a golden amber color with a medium white head on top. Can smell hops with hints of caramel and citrus. Has a hoppy orange grapefruit taste with a malt finish.
164 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a golden amber color with a medium white head on top. Can smell hops with hints of caramel and citrus. Has a hoppy orange grapefruit taste with a malt finish.
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2XSMaSH Double India Pale Ale from Southern Tier Brewing Company
4.05
out of 5
based on 344 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75