-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Grand Cru
Southampton Publick House
- From:
- Southampton Publick House
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Pale Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 9.5%
- Score:
- 94
- Avg:
- 4.21 | pDev: 11.4%
- Reviews:
- 294
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jun 07, 2022
- Added:
- Jun 08, 2003
- Wants:
- 152
- Gots:
- 27
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by RoyalT:
Reviewed by RoyalT from Michigan
4.5/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance This beer poured a bright, glowing orange in color with a gigantic off-white head. The head showed great retention and left monster pools of foam on top of the liquid.
Smell This has all the classic big, sharp, BSPA smells. The standout though is the spiciness. The huge coriander and wonderfully pure white pepper were sharper than in any other Belgian that I can recall.
The yeasty bread forms the base of the bouquet. The big orangey notes are both sweet and bitter. It smells like what orange puree would be. I really enjoyed smelling this ale.
Taste The BSPA is super orangey and sweet. Again, the orange peel puree is here in force. The yeast picks things up at the taste, which is always a nice treat. The beer ends with a fine, citrusy bitterness. Excellent!
Mouthfeel This is medium to full-bodied and very well-balanced and smooth. I couldnt pick up a hint of the 9.5% ABV. The dryness at the finish rounded out this wonderful offering from Southhampton.
Drinkability To me this is what a Belgian Strong Pale Ale is all about. It is very balanced, complete, and extremely satisfying.
Comments Thanks to Davo for sending this one out my way. I split this up with a few BAs at the first annual Fright Night extravaganza.
Aug 17, 2004Smell This has all the classic big, sharp, BSPA smells. The standout though is the spiciness. The huge coriander and wonderfully pure white pepper were sharper than in any other Belgian that I can recall.
The yeasty bread forms the base of the bouquet. The big orangey notes are both sweet and bitter. It smells like what orange puree would be. I really enjoyed smelling this ale.
Taste The BSPA is super orangey and sweet. Again, the orange peel puree is here in force. The yeast picks things up at the taste, which is always a nice treat. The beer ends with a fine, citrusy bitterness. Excellent!
Mouthfeel This is medium to full-bodied and very well-balanced and smooth. I couldnt pick up a hint of the 9.5% ABV. The dryness at the finish rounded out this wonderful offering from Southhampton.
Drinkability To me this is what a Belgian Strong Pale Ale is all about. It is very balanced, complete, and extremely satisfying.
Comments Thanks to Davo for sending this one out my way. I split this up with a few BAs at the first annual Fright Night extravaganza.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by edthehead from Maryland
4.3/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.3/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2003 vintage (batch 1), 19 years aged, held up pretty well. Dark amber, caramel, molasses, muted beige head. Slight oxidation and stillness but still retained much of what i anticipated.
Jun 07, 2022Reviewed by VoxRationis from New York
4.38/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
4.38/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Decanted from 16.94 oz (750 ml) caged and corked bottle into a custom taster pint: bottled 06/10/19.
A: Pours a hazy, amber to brown color with little appreciable carbonation or head.
S: Aromas of caramel, but most molasses, honeysuckle, apricot and cocoa (on the back of the palate).. Gorgeous.
T: Sweet up front but ultimately semisweet. Palate largely follows the nose, but a lot of caramel, almost a Werther's candy flavor. Bitterness way in the background.
M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.
O: To my palate, this is an English Old Ale. Saying it is a Belgian anything is just not accurate. As a EOA, gorgeous. Really enjoyed it.
Jul 20, 2019A: Pours a hazy, amber to brown color with little appreciable carbonation or head.
S: Aromas of caramel, but most molasses, honeysuckle, apricot and cocoa (on the back of the palate).. Gorgeous.
T: Sweet up front but ultimately semisweet. Palate largely follows the nose, but a lot of caramel, almost a Werther's candy flavor. Bitterness way in the background.
M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.
O: To my palate, this is an English Old Ale. Saying it is a Belgian anything is just not accurate. As a EOA, gorgeous. Really enjoyed it.
Reviewed by argock from Virginia
3.27/5 rDev -22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.27/5 rDev -22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Cellared 750 ml brown bottle poured into a Chimay goblet. Purchased in 2008, best by 2012 smudged date on back label.
A: Murky amber with tons of floaters despite a careful pour. Fleeting white foamy head weigh no lacing.
S: Mostly sweet pilsner malt and bubble gum with a light pear yeast ester and dash of coriander
T: Seems like it's probably a shadow of its former self with a washed out pilsner malt sweetness, some oxidation paper, with low bitterness and light orange and coriander notes in the finish.
M: Also thin and a bit lifeless with moderate carbonation and light, light body
O: WOuld love to find this again and try fresher.
Jan 12, 2017A: Murky amber with tons of floaters despite a careful pour. Fleeting white foamy head weigh no lacing.
S: Mostly sweet pilsner malt and bubble gum with a light pear yeast ester and dash of coriander
T: Seems like it's probably a shadow of its former self with a washed out pilsner malt sweetness, some oxidation paper, with low bitterness and light orange and coriander notes in the finish.
M: Also thin and a bit lifeless with moderate carbonation and light, light body
O: WOuld love to find this again and try fresher.
Rated by PugsandBeer from Florida
4.09/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I
Sep 16, 2016Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.9/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My rating and review of this Grand Cru suffers from unfair comparison; having just previously shared an absolutely splendid Ambree from La Choulette.
This also was my only Had from Southhampton, which is highly regarded. So my Had had bad timing.
Looks and smells like a fine strong Belgian pale, but that promise was not met in the taste; which seemed to lack complexity, possibly from needing a fuller yeast. The mouth was better. Better yet, there was no sign of alcohol; given its strength.
Recommended, but have by itself; just to be fair.
Jun 06, 2016This also was my only Had from Southhampton, which is highly regarded. So my Had had bad timing.
Looks and smells like a fine strong Belgian pale, but that promise was not met in the taste; which seemed to lack complexity, possibly from needing a fuller yeast. The mouth was better. Better yet, there was no sign of alcohol; given its strength.
Recommended, but have by itself; just to be fair.
Reviewed by SadMachine from New Jersey
3.37/5 rDev -20%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.37/5 rDev -20%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Unfortunately this bottle was very old as I accidentally left it in my cellar for wayyyy too long! I'd be interested in trying this fresh since I'm sure it would be a much better beer!
Oct 01, 2015Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia
4.35/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a cork and cage bomber into a snifter, the beer is a hazy, vibrant, copper-orange coloring with a halo of white head. Aromas of apple, orange rind, apricot, brown sugar, coriander, licorice, subtle woody and earthy highlights, and boozy highlights. Flavors are bold and sweet forward, with a blend of apricot, orange rind, pineapple, and honey, all on a bready and chewy backbone. Highlights of coriander and nutmeg keep the sweetness in balance. The body is rich and full, staying smooth throughout. The aftertaste is more of the fruit and spice blend, with a good solid dose of booze warmth building as you go. The finish is extremely smooth, rich, and layered, with a boozy and fruity linger. Really good beer.
Sep 06, 2015
Grand Cru from Southampton Publick House
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
404 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!