Southampton Saison Deluxe

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

Draft in the Belgian Room. Nice enough looking beer when poured into an Ommegang glass (what, no SHPH proper glassware? What’s up with that, boys)? Anyway, fragrant aromas of what seems to be the same flowery aroma as Cuvee des Fleurs. Taste is on the malty side with very little peppery taste. A far cry from the last SHPH Saison that I’ve had. Too bad

Bottle. Yeasty and herbal aroma (reminded me a lot of the Westmalle Tripel yeast character) leading to a fruity flavor with a juicy sweetness ending in a dry finish. Mango, citrus and peppery spice combined makes a for a complex ale with saison elements. White head and clear straw colored body with good effervescence. Not 100% true to style IMO, as it reminded me a lot more about a tripel style ale with its sugary sweetness - but nonetheless a nice beer - although, but a bit pricey at $15.

Slightly cloudy golden with a big white head. Nice complex, fresh aroma, with orange and spice. Dry and fruity flavour with spice and some bitterness that could be alcohol, spice or subdued hops.

75 cl. bottle: Pours unclear yellow/orange with a fine large egg white foam. Aroma is of yeast, wheat, spices & fruits (orange) Just the right amount of spices. Fresh & crisp. Smooth & soft. Filling body. Sparkling carbonation. Dry lasting end! Very nice - but this still misses something compared to the orig. Belgium ones!

Corked bottle, courtesy of Jacob (Hildogöltur)
Hazy golden color. Spicy and citrusy malty aroma. Dry mouthfeel, with good malt flavor, spicy, well bitter. Quite complex and interesting. Very good.

750 ml bottle into a beer mug. I should’ve waited a bit after uncorking this beast before pouring: the head was enormous, even though I poured as gently as possible. A straw-gold, clear body filled the mug, and specks of white yeast floated throughout. Carbonation was fervent, fueling a bubbly, white head that left good lacing. The aroma was a blend of vanilla, citrus, yeasty fruit notes, spice, and a great balance of soft hops. The taste was delicious as well: vanilla coated the palate immediately, slowly giving way to spicy notes, orange peel, and a touch of bittering hops. The mouthfeel was good, with a crisp, refreshing body. My only complaint was that this beer, super-carbonated at first, became almost flat within fifteen minutes. This was a very drinkable Saison: complex, tasty, and smooth. The limiting factors are the price and the somewhat hefty ABV. Other than that, however, it’s definately solid.

Pours a cloudy copper with a bubbly white head. Has hints of Belgium yeast, lots of sour and sweet fruit, and spices. Finishes about the same, with sour fruit on the back of your tongue. Very impressed.

Bottle. [thanks to my good friend, Vicky, for bringing this from the States]
Pours a clear golden yellow with a giant white head. It is creamy on top, and further down, it is very bubbly. There is an amazing amount of bubbles surging upwards. Nice spicy flavour. Ginger, oranges, coriander, wheat, yeast, lemons, melons and barnyard. Lively mouthfeel, but still rather creamy. Flavour is lightly vinious, more than other Saisons, I’ve tried. Flavours include a nice fruity hoppiness, lots of ginger, lemons. Very dry finish with a light tartness. I had to rate this before it became available in Denmark (which it is tomorrow :o) ). Really a good Saison, but the Belgians are funkier and more complex.