Looks:
Smell:
Taste:
Overall:
Description:
An India Pale Ale kicked up a notch to form a true Double IPA: feverishly hoppy with a malty backbone and higher-than-standard alcohol content. Citrusy hops tease the senses with aromatics and lingering bitterness, while just the right balance of malts disguises 2XIPAs extra gravity. Double your expectations, this is an ale that demands reverence. (Description provided by company)
Brewer:
Beer Style:
ABV:
8.20% ABV
Availability Frequency:
year-round
Containers Available:
bottle
draft
Locations Where Available:
Northeast
Southeast
Midwest
Texas
Colorado
West Coast
Store/Serve Temperature:
close to 60 degrees F
Comments
2X, But Not Overdone
A slightly cloudy golden yellow, with about a finger of a foamy white head. The head sticks around for a few minutes, and leaves some light lacing behind.
The nose definitely shows the 2X in the title, with lots of strong hop aromas. There are a lot of different subtleties going on, with citrus, pine, and floral all coming through as you sniff.
A lot of strong flavors, but the bitterness is actually not as high as expected - only moderate. A nice malt backbone helps to keep the bright hop flavors in check. A moderately long aftertaste, as well, but overall drinkable and pleasant - especially for a double IPA.
A medium body with moderate carbonation.
I was expecting typically off the charts hop flavor and bitterness, but with the bitterness kept in check, the depth and variety of the hop flavors in Southern Tiers 2X IPA really does come out nicely.