Southampton Grand Cru

Brewed by Southampton Publick House
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Southampton, New York USA

Bottle thanks to MrChopin, thanks Kevin. Poured a clear amber-orange color with a thick off-white head that faded to a soapy layer and left some spotty lacing. Lightly sweet, spicy aroma with some coriander, citrus (namely orange peel), and a moderate yeastiness. Sweet entry with some light orange peel and just a hint of tart lemon transition into a soft, spicy flavor with some coriander and a light floral finish. Soft carbonation, smooth on the palate. A bit sweet for my liking, but still a good beer.

750 ml corked and caged 2005 and 2006 Vintage bottles provided by beastiefan2k for the 10/18 tasting. Tasted side by side.

2005 Vintage. This is the bottle that is pictured and was brewed and bottled at the Publick House brewpub. Pour is cloudy, sediment filled orange ruby with no head whatsoever. Aroma of rounded caramel, big sweet cane sugar sweetness. Full, very pretty nose. Cidery bite. Taste is the caramel maltiness with bright ginger and coriander. Finish is grassy, long earthiness. Nice, though, perhaps a bit past prime. Palate is long and mouth coating. (9,3,7,4,16 - 3.9)

2006 Vintage. Brewed and bottled at Sly Fox. Appearance is the same as the 2005 with less sediment and a 1/2 off white head. Aroma is quite different from the 2005: floral, slight honey sweetness, grassy - spicy. Taste is the spicy floral, with caramel layered over the top of it. Grassy, a little metallic in the finish. Quite different beer from the 2005, though good in its own right. (7,4,8,4,15 - 3.8)

Overall, I thought the 2005 had a bit more character.

750 corked and caged poured into a trappist galss has an orange amber color and a thin off white head. aroma has loads of spices (coriander, anise, cinamon, clove), orange zest, sweet malt, and perfume. mouth feel is light with fizzy carbonation. flavor is definately spice domanited, bitter orange, sweet malt that is totally overpowered, and light bitters. I just cant get past the termendous spicing against the bitter orange and it reminds me of tasting perfume. not for me.

Bottle thanks to zathrus13. Pours with a large, fluffy or rocky off-white head. Hazy burnt yellow hue with plenty of particles. Aroma of currants, berries, coriander, pepper, orange, and star anise. Taste is dry, full of berries, spices, and coriander. Very lively carbonation, dry mouthfeel.

750 ml bottle. Lots of carbonation. Fruity aromas with spice and some alcohol. Flavors were similar with a touch of tartness that never really comes through. Yummy

Lively well carbonated dark amber. Lasting meringue head. Soft sweet fruit and flower aroma. Warm peach apricot fruit liqueur flavour.

Thanks bmartin. Pours a golden orange with a one finger creamy off white head. Upon opening it seems as though this bottle will have little carbonation. The nose is spicy, nice earthiness to it, Belgian influence comes through in a very nice way, sweet, citrusy, orange peel definitely shows. The flavor is sweet, oranges for sure, spicy, alcohol well hidden, earthy Belgian funk, . Very nice full lively carbonation despite the seeming lack of carbonation on the pour and opening of the bottle. Finishes spicy and funky, a fantastic "Belgian". I like the upfront character of the Belgian yeast and how it coordinates with the use of orange peel. Creates a very tasty traditional Belgian feel rather than an American interpretation.

Bottle shared by fordest at his house. Some orange, clove, spice, caramel. Very good.