Southampton Cuvee des Fleurs

Brewed by Southampton Publick House
Style: Saison
Southampton, New York USA

Cloudy golden with a fluffy white, lasting head and lacing that clings to the glass for dear life - musty, yeasty aroma, with tart, almost lambic-like hints of light fruits like apples and pears - flavor is tart and spicy up front, making way for lavender and other flowery flavors (go figure) - apples and white grapes - lingering malt and a finish with slight hops, spice and a just a hint of peaches way in the back as the finish fades - a quality saison, but, much like many of the other genius southampton brews, it takes a little getting used to before you appreciate it.

The aroma is very floral and yeasty with malt, grass, spice, and fruit. The appearance is cloudy amber gold with a giant head. The taste is like the aroma with a perfume like finish. The palate is smooth. Overall this is an interesting beer but not great.

2005 bottle. Copper pour with a beautiful, humongous rocky head, up there in the Duvel ranks. Lots of floral notes hinted in the aroma, but they really shine in the taste. It is brilliantly flowerly without being overbearing like Fantome Pissenlit (dandelions), and lets other saison flavors come through, including great spiciness and a nice maltiness.

Bottle: Deep golden in color with a bubbly white head that fades. Sweet aroma which is malt dominated (almost cake like). And also has some spicy character with hints of white pepper. Flavor is similar with a tight carbonation. Somewhat spicy, peppery. Also has sweet hints of vanilla, lemon cookie and orange peel. Lots of spicyness with notes of white pepper, thyme and a strong spicy alcohol bite in the finish. Nothing impressive, but drinkable.

Hazy orange golden beer with a frothy white head. Hayish and cheesy aroma, dry and rather harsh. Flower hops also. Sour hayish and extremely harsh flavor. Notes of peach. Probably good for a saison, but definately not my kind of beer!

[2370-20090801] Sample. Sweet floral ginger aroma has notes of lemon rind. Hazy, light orange brown body with a medium-lasting bubbly white head. Ginger tart yeast flavour has a bit of a lemon finish. Medium body. Good.
(BCTC @ Ommegang; Cooperstown, NY)

Bottle: Courtesy of TAR. Aroma is fruit, yeast, flowers, and some citrus tartness. Pours a hazy golden-orange with a white head. Yeasty with some orange peel and light tartness and a flowery bitterness in the finish.

Bottle: Dark straw, or a very dirty golden, thick and hazy, huge fluffy off-white head, with fairly nice lacing.   Sediment is also visible in the glass.   HUGE bouquet of flowers and spices... probably one of the most floral oriented beers I have had.   WOW!   Very reminiscent of pansies.   Dry tart like flavor, sugary sweetness, with a large assortment of flowers and spices.   Very unique indeed.   Not as dry nor tart as others, but moreso sweet and flowery.   Big in body, huge flavors, moderate spritzy mouthfeel.   This really is a work of art.   Great stuff.   Thanks Jeff for the bottle!