Southern Tier 2XMAS - well hello there!

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by pitweasel, Dec 3, 2013.

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  1. pitweasel

    pitweasel Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2007 New York

    For the last few years, I feel like people have been tripping over themselves to rave about Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Two years ago, I couldn't even find it in mid-December. Last year, I had a bottle and thought "meh". And this year, I had the same sort of feeling - it just seemed sweet with an oddly slick mouthfeel to it. So I finally stopped buying the hype - and the beer - and gave Southern Tier 2XMAS a curious try.

    Boy, am I glad I did that. What I've been hankering for over the holidays is a beer that's got those Christmas cookie & spice flavors that everyone seems to ascribe to Great Lakes and other Winter Warmers, and this struck me as just that beer. Thicker body that one would expect from their 2X series beers, with prominent - but not overpowering - spices that jump out without also making the beer taste sweet. Yes! While stouts are still the dominant winter style in this house, my go-to "holiday beer" has finally been found.

    The quantity and score of the ratings seem to suggest I'm alone here. Anyone else surprised by this gem?
     
    #1 pitweasel, Dec 3, 2013
    Mikecap, creepinjeeper, 2Xmd and 1 other person like this.
  2. booyahachieved3

    booyahachieved3 Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2012 Kansas

    I love this beer.

    Last year KC got one shipment, I picked up one of the last sixers at my local shop. I split it 3 ways with 2 friends, and man was I jonesin' for it the next 2 months. Never found more.

    The only thing comparable for me would be Schlafly Christmas Ale. Same spiced profile, and just as hard to drink more than one in a sitting.
     
    #2 booyahachieved3, Dec 3, 2013
  3. GreesyFizeek

    GreesyFizeek Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,026) Mar 6, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Love 2XMas. My list of favorite winter spiced beers goes:

    Old Fezziwig
    2XMas
    Great Lakes Christmas

    ....

    hmm, I guess I need to try some more.
     
    #3 GreesyFizeek, Dec 3, 2013
  4. tbaker397

    tbaker397 Initiate (0) Nov 9, 2013 West Virginia

    The general consensus at least from what I have gathered is GL Christmale is an utterly and completely different beer in the bottle vs. On draft. With that being said, I did not like GL christmas in bottles. I have not had 2xmas in a bottle yet, only on draft, but wow. I agree that THIS is what a true winter warmer should be like . great beer that is the perfect balance of spice...ans at 8% is dangerously drinkable
     
    #4 tbaker397, Dec 3, 2013
  5. Brenden

    Brenden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Feb 25, 2008 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I went back to check my review (haven't had a refresher yet this winter) and discovered that I seem to agree with you. 4.13 overall.
     
    #5 Brenden, Dec 3, 2013
  6. Preluderl

    Preluderl Pooh-Bah (1,796) Sep 27, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I prefer GL Christmas Ale, the wife prefers 2XMAS. Both are quality, IMO.
     
    #6 Preluderl, Dec 3, 2013
  7. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm with you- last year I was pleasantly surprised and even went back for it a couple of times. In terms of flavor, body, balance, aroma- it's just what I expect in a holiday spiced beer. This year I put in a good word with my beer guy (who already got it on the floor), and may have pimped it a few times on BA already. I see it's officially December, so I'll be picking up my first sixer this week. Glad to hear it's still a solid choice.
     
    #7 TongoRad, Dec 3, 2013
  8. bsp77

    bsp77 Pooh-Bah (2,185) Apr 27, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    I consider Great Lakes, Southern Tier and Anchor to all be about the same in terms of my enjoyment, but I enjoy them for different reasons. All good stuff!
     
    #8 bsp77, Dec 3, 2013
  9. BB1313

    BB1313 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,290) Jul 16, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I wasn't crazy about 2XMAS last year.. maybe I was just letdown because it didn't have that Pumking magic..

    I'll always be a sucker for GL Christmas Ale, Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs, Hoppin Frog Frosted Frog, and The Brew Kettle Winter Warmer.. I'm sure I just sound like a homer, but they're all great..
     
    #9 BB1313, Dec 3, 2013
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  10. afterexile

    afterexile Initiate (0) Nov 29, 2005 Pennsylvania

    Love the 2xmas ( bought a case of it a week ago. Probably buy another one if I can find it again. Really enjoy the GL brew as well.
     
    #10 afterexile, Dec 3, 2013
  11. PottstownBeerGuy

    PottstownBeerGuy Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2013 Pennsylvania

    2XMAS is an ironclad seasonal release by one of the most underrated breweries on the east coast. Southern Tier's diverse product line keeps me interested in stretching to styles I would have previously ignored. Definitely not an overpowering beer in terms of spice or booziness, but also not an understated, wimpy beer that leaves you wanting for more. Try the Krampus and the Warlock if you're a Southern Tier fan. Definitely interesting flavor profiles.
     
    #11 PottstownBeerGuy, Dec 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 3, 2013
  12. alexk307

    alexk307 Initiate (0) Nov 7, 2013 Maryland

    Love Southern Tier, hated this brew. I Have 4 12 oz. bottles if anyone wants to trade.
     
    #12 alexk307, Dec 3, 2013
  13. creepinjeeper

    creepinjeeper Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2012 Missouri

    Twist my arm! Looks like I gotta go get some . . .
     
    #13 creepinjeeper, Dec 3, 2013
  14. LancetherealLeader

    LancetherealLeader Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2013 South Carolina

    I picked up a sixer last year and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it was gone in a flash and I never found it again. I won't make that same mistake this year when I see it!
     
    #14 LancetherealLeader, Dec 4, 2013
  15. Mikecap

    Mikecap Pooh-Bah (2,098) May 18, 2012 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Really loved it last year, and had my first bottle of 2013 on Thanksgiving back home in Rhode Island. It was really really good once again! Hoping to see some pop up down here in Louisiana.
     
    #15 Mikecap, Dec 4, 2013
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