There are winters that come as gently as the wind blowing through a window – not noisy, but leaving an echo in the heart. And there are also beers that do not need a fancy introduction, just one sip is enough to make people remember them forever. 2XMAS just like that – one Spiced Double Ale Full of character, brewed with traditional ingredients and fairytale inspiration from the Nordic Glögg.
Each drop carries the warmth of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and orange peel – like a small fire in the white snow, lighting up a whole story of the holiday season. Discover why 2XMAS is more than just a beer, it’s an enchanting winter ritual.
1. Southern Tier Brewing Company – Where Dreams Are Brewed in the East Wind
1.1. The Journey Begins in Lakewood, New York
Imagine you’re standing in the mist of an autumn morning in Lakewood, New York. The air smells of damp, rotting wood, with a faint scent of wheat that echoes an old dream. It was in this idyllic land that, in 2002, three hungry souls – Phineas “Phin” DeMink, his wife Sara, and their traveling companion Allen “Skip” Yahn – hatched a dream called Southern Tier Brewing Company.
With the goal of “reviving the art of small-scale craft brewing,” they didn’t take the fancy route. They started with the simplest of things—an industrial warehouse in Stoneman, old equipment purchased from Old Saddleback Brewing Co., and a heart full of passion.
And then, in 2003, the first batch of beer was born - IPA, Pilsner, Mild and Porter like the first songs ringing in the area. Southern Tier's beer quickly spread in the local community like the warmth of a fireside, like a familiar nursery rhyme of the cold New York land.
Just two years later, to 2005, that beer flavor has crossed the old pine forests to reach the whole state of New York and Pennsylvania - carrying with it the spirit of restless creativity, along with unique seasonal beers like the whisper of time.
1.2. A Big Step Forward – When Infrastructure Becomes a Monument of Innovation
But the journey doesn't stop there. From 2009, Southern Tier beginning to enter the "blooming" period: a larger production building 20,000 square feet, a modern bottling line of 10,000 bottles per hour, more than 800 fermentation tanks like giant hearts beating enthusiastically. They call it the “silent revolution”, where every drop of beer is brewed with perfectionism and endless love.
2012, the cooking pot 110 BBL imported from Germany, installed like a top-notch instrument, ready for the winter concert. By 2013, the new 45,000 square foot warehouse continued to open up new horizons for growing dreams.
Phin – the one who started it all – has always kept his original vow: “Always ask questions, never stop exploring, and never compromise on quality.” That spirit has become the breath, soul, and identity of Southern Tier Brewing Company.
2. 2XMAS Ale – When Winter Is Distilled Into One Strong Sip
In the middle of a cold winter in the Northeast, when snowflakes weave into white memories, the Southern Tier team asked themselves: “Why not create something warm, spicy, like a hug on Christmas Eve?”
And so it is 2XMAS born – one Spiced Double Winter Ale with an alcohol content of 8% – rich, seductive and enchanting like a first kiss under a snow-covered pine tree. They breathed life into this beer with ingredients reminiscent of a family hearth: dried figs, orange peel, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and fresh ginger.
The inspiration? None other than the tradition of Glögg – the warm, spiced Scandinavian liqueur that has carried the breath of hundreds of winters through the centuries. Southern Tier didn’t copy, they adapted – turning Glögg into a uniquely American beer with a touch of old-world European flair.
2XMAS is more than just a seasonal beer. It's a emotional ritual for winter, a joyful song for family reunions, for the dining table filled with festive colors. And every year, when the last leaves fall from the branches, 2XMAS returns – like an old friend bringing stories that only winter can tell.
3. 2XMAS Style – When Spices Open the Way to Winter Stories
3.1. Spiced Double Ale – The Cross Between Strong And Mesmerizing
2XMAS is the embodiment of winter in the form of a beer – a Spiced Double Ale rich, group Herb & Spice Beer full of creativity. This is not a beer to drink and forget, but a beer for feeling, like a love song written specifically for cold days.
With form Warm Fermented Ale, 2XMAS does not have the cold smoothness of lager, but instead has a deep warmth. Fermented with Traditional ale yeast, this beer exudes a spontaneous and multi-layered aroma, like a light jazz melody echoing in the middle of a snowy night.
3.2. Ingredient Combination – When Hops Meet Four Special Malts
More than just a product of yeast and grains, 2XMAS is an elaborate mix of two types of hops charming and four malts carefully selected. This combination creates a solid structure, yet soft enough to support the layers of delicate spices added at the end.
You will feel the sweet taste of malt, highlighted by the gentle spiciness of cinnamon, cloves, ginger – like sipping a festive cake in a glass.
3.3. Color – First Look Is A Promise
Just look at 2XMAS and you will see a deep ruby color, like the flickering fire reflected through frosted glass. It is the color of stories told by the fire, of old Christmas cards, and of hearts beating before the New Year.
3.4. Alcohol – Silent But Proud Heat
With alcohol concentration 8%, 2XMAS does not hide its power. But instead of being fierce, it chooses to radiate heat slowly – like winter sunshine, little but enough to melt the ice inside. This is the kind of beer to enjoy slowly, sipping on melodious music, or on a quiet snowy afternoon by the window.
3.5. Bitterness – A Necessary Delicacy
With the level IBU about 40, 2XMAS chooses a balance. Not as harsh as an IPA, nor as sweet as a dessert beer – but just enough to set the stage for the spices to shine. The bitter taste is like the sound of a bass guitar, supporting the aroma, making the aftertaste last and spread in every breath.
4. The Art of Enjoying 2XMAS – When Every Sip Is a Winter Melody
4.1. Ideal Beer Temperature & Glass – Cold Enough To Warm The Heart
There are beers that are best served chilled for instant refreshment. But 2XMAS is not one of them. With its essence of cinnamon, ginger, cloves and orange peel, The ideal temperature to enjoy 2XMAS is between 4 and 7°C (40–45°F) – the gentle coldness like the early winter wind, enough to retain the aroma, soften the alcohol taste, but does not extinguish the precious layers of spice aroma.
2XMAS is a beer that needs to be drunk – but enjoyed with all the senses, and the tulip glass is the perfect vessel for that ritual. With its slightly bulging body and slightly closed mouth, the tulip retains the creamy white foam while concentrating and dispersing the spice aromas, like a wind-blown field caressing the scents of cinnamon and ginger.
4.2. Food Combination Suggestions – When Cuisine Meets Festivals
Blue cheese – A Strong Counterbalance to Spice: The sharp, salty and slightly “wild” blue cheese is the perfect partner to balance the sweet and spicy flavors in 2XMAS. When these two meet, you will find a taste harmony that is both bold and attractive – like when jazz meets a symphony.
Sausage, Korv – A Symphony of Protein and Spices: If there is any dish that was born to accompany 2XMAS, it is rich sausages or Nordic-style korv. The aroma of grilled meat, marinated spices, resonate with ginger, cinnamon and cloves in beer, creating a perfect circle of warmth and aftertaste.
Gingerbread & Christmas Cake – Sweet Memories: A crispy gingerbread cookie, or a piece of cinnamon-infused fruitcake, will make 2XMAS feel like it’s doubled in emotion. It’s not just a combination of taste, but also a resonance of memories – each piece of cake is a story, and each sip of beer is a flashback.
Pickled Herring – Break the Rules, Create a New Experience: It may sound daring, but lightly pickled herring is an unexpected catalyst. Its salty sourness softens the sweetness, stirs up the spice, and makes each sip come alive like a whirlwind on a snowy night.
4.3. When is the ideal time to raise a glass on 2XMAS?
Winter - When Beer Becomes a Warm Blanket for the Soul: There is nothing more suitable than the late autumn and early winter days to enjoy 2XMAS. Brewed specifically for the festive season, this beer is born to sit next to the Christmas tree, listen to Christmas music and enjoy a moment of peace.
Christmas & Gatherings – The Most Connecting Moments of the Year: Inspired by Glögg – a traditional Swedish spiced wine, 2XMAS is the perfect companion for family gatherings, parties with friends, or even quiet nights with just you and your memories.
This is the kind of beer that makes you want to raise your glass and say, “Cheers, we have each other again this winter.”
5. Conclusion – 2XMAS: When Every Drop of Beer Is A Winter Melody
There are beers you drink out of habit. There are beers that make you stop, close your eyes, and smile. 2XMAS just like that – a delicate harmony of taste and memory, is a gentle hug of winter in the form of a craft beer.
From Nordic Glögg inspiration to sophisticated brewing techniques at the Southern Tier, every sip of 2XMAS is an emotional journey – where ginger, cinnamon, cloves, orange peel and figs blend together like a splendid choir on a festive night. 2XMAS is for slow evenings, for the golden light filtering through the window, for the laughter around the table, and for quiet moments just for you with a tulip glass in hand.
Are you ready to raise a glass to 2XMAS – and make this winter more memorable than ever?
