Southern Tier 2XMAS 6Pk

Southern Tier 2XMAS 6Pk is a spiced winter ale brewed at 8.0% ABV, sold in a six-pack format, and inspired by the Swedish Glögg mulled-wine tradition. With an 83-point rating on BeerAdvocate across more than 1,600 reviews, this seasonal release from Southern Tier Brewing Company has earned a loyal following among fans of bold, spice-forward holiday beers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.0%  |  Origin: Lakewood, New York, USA  |  Style: Spiced Winter Ale  |  Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Southern Tier Brewing Company operates out of Lakewood, New York, in the southwestern corner of the state along the shores of Chautauqua Lake. The 2XMAS ale was born from the brewery's experience at a traditional Swedish Glögg party — a gathering centered around Scandinavia's signature spiced and warmed wine — which inspired the team to translate that concept into a beer. The recipe uses ale yeast, two hop varieties, and four malt varieties, then layers in figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger root, resulting in a complex ale that bridges the gap between traditional winter warmers and spiced holiday beverages.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cardamom and clove lead the nose immediately, followed by warming cinnamon and a backdrop of sweet, toasted malt. A subtle citrus note from the orange peel rounds things out beneath the dominant spice profile.

Taste: The entry is rich and malty with caramel sweetness and a bready backbone. At mid-palate, the spice blend opens up — clove and cinnamon arrive first, then ginger heat and chewy fig sweetness reminiscent of fruitcake. Orange peel adds a citrus brightness that tempers the malt sweetness and keeps the flavors balanced through the peak.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering ginger warmth and a gentle alcohol presence that recalls the Glögg tradition. The clove and caramel malt notes persist, tapering into a dry, slightly spicy close.

How to Drink 2XMAS

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to let the complex spice aromatics fully express themselves; drinking it too cold mutes the cardamom and fig notes. For a cocktail-adjacent approach, try a Beer Toddy — gently warming 2XMAS with a touch of honey mirrors its Glögg inspiration perfectly. A Boilermaker pairing with a shot of aged rum amplifies the caramel and spice qualities. A Shandy built with fresh-squeezed clementine juice plays off the orange peel and lightens the body for those who find the sweetness intense.

Best For

• Holiday dinner tables alongside roasted meats and root vegetables
• Seasonal beer tastings featuring winter warmers and spiced ales
• Gifting to craft beer enthusiasts who enjoy bold, limited-release seasonal brews
• Fireside drinking on cold winter evenings as a standalone sipper

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 2XMAS taste like? 2XMAS delivers a rich, malty sweetness layered with prominent clove, cinnamon, and cardamom spice, accented by fig, raisin-like fruit character, and a warming ginger finish at 8.0% ABV.

How does 2XMAS compare to Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas? Both are spiced Christmas ales frequently compared by reviewers, but 2XMAS leans more heavily into its Scandinavian Glögg inspiration with cardamom and figs, while 12 Dogs of Christmas tends toward a more hop-balanced, honey-accented profile. 2XMAS also runs slightly higher in alcohol, contributing to a fuller, warmer body.

Is 2XMAS good for sipping neat? Yes — at 8.0% ABV and with its layered spice complexity, 2XMAS is designed to be savored slowly from a tulip glass or snifter at cellar temperature rather than consumed quickly.

Where is 2XMAS made? 2XMAS is brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood, New York, located in the Chautauqua Lake region of the state's southwestern corner.

What foods pair well with 2XMAS? Roasted turkey or ham benefits from the beer's sweetness and spice balance. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts nicely with the caramel malt backbone. Gingerbread or spice cookies echo the beer's own spice profile. Fig and walnut tarts complement the dried fruit character. Rich stews or braised short ribs stand up to the beer's full body and warming alcohol.

What sizes does 2XMAS come in? Southern Tier 2XMAS is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles as a seasonal release.

Is 2XMAS worth the price? 2XMAS positions as a mid-premium seasonal craft beer, and its complex spice layering, higher ABV, and limited annual availability deliver solid value within the winter ale category compared to many mass-produced holiday beers.

Why 2XMAS?

What separates 2XMAS from the crowded field of holiday ales is its specific debt to Swedish Glögg tradition — this isn't just another cinnamon-sprinkled winter warmer but a deliberate translation of a centuries-old Scandinavian drinking custom into beer form. The combination of figs, orange peels, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger built atop a four-malt backbone produces genuine complexity rather than one-note spice sweetness. An 83-point BeerAdvocate score and over 94,000 Untappd ratings confirm broad appeal alongside critical respect. For drinkers who want a winter seasonal that tells a story and rewards slow sipping, 2XMAS stands apart from the pack.