Southampton Biere De Mars - Southampton Publick House

BeerTruth

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to plaid75 for this seasonal brew.

My Clarkson Golden Knights win in the first round of the NCAA's agains St. Cloud State today 2-1, it's time to celebrate boys and girls! Next up, the winner of Niagara/Michigan. Let's go Purple Eagles ;)

64 oz. poured into my Excelsior! tulip glass.

Pours a sunset metallic yellow with a fluffy one and a half finger off-white head that sticks around for some time. Nice webbing left on the sides of the glass, what a great looking brew. Smell is new to me. Light cane sugar with lots of spice. Faint oak and a good amount of white grape aromas as well. Very unique in the nose, me likey. Taste starts off with a peppery kick followed by some pine hop and toasted grain. A bit of a caramel malt and honey towards the end, but not much. Light to medium body with a sharp carbonation. I can't say I've had a beer like this before. Even though I live in NY, I may not have the opportunity to try this beer again and I can't thank Matt enough for the opportunity. I see this is available in bottles as well, I would love to get my hands on one to compare to the growler version.

Serving type: growler

03-29-2008 01:25:55 | More by BeerTruth

vkv822

Oregon

3.06/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz : tulip

Clear, golden orange with a thin, foamy white head.

Toasty, sweet malts predominately, with some faint grassy, and melon hop notes.

Medium-full body, with mild foamy carbonation.

Not unpleasant, but the flavor profile was fairly subdued and one dimensional.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 08:41:08 | More by vkv822

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4.06/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: A thick, rusted orange in coloration with no head (most likely due to a light pour).

Smell: Orange peal, lemon, and other things citrus along with some wheatiness that comes through.

Taste: The citrus really begins to shine, but it is balanced out of by the grain and wheat very well. I am really enjoying this even though it seems to shy away from what I understand as this style.

Mouthfeel: Actually a bit heavier than I expected. On the heavier side of medium bodied without much carbonation to lighten it up at all. It is actually a bit flat. It may be this bottle specifically because this is the only I have tried thus far, so I will have to give this one another try in the future to compare notes with.

Overall: I enjoyed this brew quite a bit. I enjoyed some of the unique aspects of it and the only negative thing I could say was just about the flatness of it.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 18:39:31 | More by alex_hart

cosmicevan

New York

3.99/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stopped by the publick house for a bite and to pick up some IRS bottles. Ordered a flight with bratwurst. Brew arrivedin a few ounce sample pour. Transparent yellow with thin fizzy head. Nose is fairly muted but has nice floral taste with Mellon and assorted fruitiness. Really nice. Very light and easy drinking. As i sipped the fruit came out on the nose. Pleasant beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 18:01:40 | More by cosmicevan

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle: Poured a hazy beige color ale with a rather large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma consists of rustic malt with lightly sweet undertones. Taste is dominated by sweet notes upfront with some rustic malt and light fruity ester. This is probably a tad too sweet for my liking. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Good though probably tad more sweet then some of its overseas cousin.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 20:21:39 | More by Phyl21ca

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

12 oz bottle. cant seem to make out the bottle coding, but I assume a recent bottling.

A: pretty hazy, orange and opaque. head is bubbly and resilient. slightly off white. some spotted lacing left behind.

S: super fruity. melon. mild black peppercorns. some yeasty esters. apples and bananas. smells a lot like a fruit basket.

D: there is a distinctive cider-like flavor here. apple cider for real. the dry, slightly vinous finish, reminds me of a champagne. cant tell if there is some oxidation in there or what.

M: carb is mild and bubbly. slightly effervescent at first but the carb definitely dissipates as it is consumed.

D: a pretty fruity brew and unfortunately in my opinion a bit one note. fruit is the main everything here and while pleasant I wouldn't hate for some more diversity in both flavor and aroma. there are better BDG out there and better brews from Southampton.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 02:18:38 | More by Jimmys

RickS95

Indiana

3.38/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

It pours a rich looking dark amber brown. It's neither clear nor opaque, just something in between. The head never really forms. There's a slight ring of little bubbles around the edge up top, but it's pretty weak.

I don't have a lot of experience with this type, but it seems to match the style fairly well with a slight malt base along with some Noble hop, savory scent. Not something I'd pick and the smell is well hidden, but like I said, it's what the type calls for.

You can pick out the savory hops fairly easily, with a crackerlike, bready taste. Again, not something I'd pick, but it is what it is...which explains why I have little experience with this style.

Has an earthy feel. Pretty malty, only somewhat bitter. Medium bodied. There's a tartness to it, just beyond mid-sip and into the finish. Fairly spicy. The bitterness kicks in even stronger as the beer warms.

It's not my favorite style. The beer is only just slightly better than average. It's not difficult to drink, it's just lacking some character.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 03:21:31 | More by RickS95

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.33/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at House of Brews. Served in a CCB snifter.

Appearance - Deep golden body. Served with a huge white head. Surface foam lasts forever but thins out. Lacing clings inside the glass.

Smell - Really estery. Apples and a strong malt presence. Simple but pleasant farmhouse aroma.

Taste - Extremely malty. Pale malts and esters give off of a sweet apple and caramel flavor. Bitter finish. I get a slightly oaky flavor at the very end that is a little unpleasant.

Mouthfeel - Seems heavy because of all the malt flavor. Well carbonated and fairly bitter.

Overall - Not what I expected when I ordered it. Not interesting enough to overcome its flaws.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2013 22:13:07 | More by Alieniloquium

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip. Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a deep amber/brown. Mild haze. Cream-colored head retains well. Spotty lacing.

S: Lots of malt character on the nose. Caramel and toast are most prominent. Maybe some nuances of cocoa and a nice nuttiness folded into the mix. Slightly estery with aromas of golden raisins and dates. Light spiciness.

T: Caramel, bread crust, toast, woody. Golden raisin and dates. Very slight spicy herbal hop presence, and a ghostlike hint of spicy alcohol. Restrained yeasty pepper and spice throughout. Drying finish showcases cocoa powder, toast, and dried figs.

M: Medium bodied. Full and firm in the mouth with a sturdy malt backbone. Moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth.

O: American brewers latched on to the saison style fairly quickly, and are now pushing the boundaries of the style with black saisons and the like. I'm surprised that the Biere de Mars/Biere de Garde styles remain relatively unexplored. It seems to me that there would be a market for it, with all the saison experimentation that's going on. I found this to be a very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 01:16:29 | More by ryan1788a5

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

just found this at a small grocery in central new york. was in a 6er and the bottles were dusty. i knew it couldnt be the freshest, as this is traditionally a springtime release, but i picked it up because id never had anything from southampton and didnt feel like a becks, which was my next best choice unfortunately. was happily delighted by this beer, which pours a toasted orange color, more clear than i am used to in the style, with effervescent carbonation and a short off white head. the nose is fruity like orange rind, with some mild sweetness and belgian style yeast spice tones. flavor matches up, with a really bright feel attatched to the fruit and spice, there is nothing heavy about this brew at all. crackery crisp in the finish, with the zesty orange lasting all the way through the flavor matrix. this is a beautiful beer, balanced and clean, i could only imagine how nice it might be fresh. light body, down easy. if i wasnt sharing the 6er i would have put it down alone easily. this makes me want to drink more beers from this place, nice brew!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 04:04:26 | More by StonedTrippin

StoneTSR

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

APPEARANCE: Dark orange with a half-inch head. Retention was below average, but not terrible as it settled nicely into a thin cap covering most of the surface of the beer.

SMELL: This is a malt bomb in the nose. A lot of rich, sweet, malty, delicious aromas...there is actually a chocolate-like smell here. No, scratch that, it is a downright chocolatey aroma with some chalkiness with it as well.

TASTE: While the maltiness of the nose is not gone, there are enough hops in this brew to provide some balance. The malt is the star of the show, however - semi-sweet and tasty.

MOUTHFEEL: Creamy, smooth and very, very easy-drinking if full-bodied. Not much carbonation here, but it doesn't really need it.

OVERALL: Pretty solid, but a bit unusual. I would absolutely reach for this one again if I were in the Northeast.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 07:37:12 | More by StoneTSR

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip glass. Color was a dark amber with a 1 finger dirty white creamy head. Head only lasted a few minutes despite a fair amount of carbonation rising from the sides. Aroma was roasted grains with a small bit of fruit sweetness that almost hid a bit of alcohol smell. Flavor as a malty sweet. Small hint of peppery spice. Alcohol was detectable and came on pretty fast. Felt good in the mouth, coated well and had a tad of carbonation. Overall not bad. Well balanced, and sippable, but not outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 22:32:57 | More by mountdew1

CloudStrife

New York

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a clear copper orange with a 1 finger white head. Lots of carbonation breaks up the head quickly. A nice clarity.

S: A mild yeast and some dark fruits on the nose. Not the focus of the beer.

T: A slightly bitter forefront, malt makes an attempt to balance it out but are slapped away. I can see how it would be good pairing with food.

M: Light body, mild carbonation. A little sticky going down.

Overall a pleasant beer from a good brewery. Wouldnt mind giving this a go on draft.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 00:56:24 | More by CloudStrife

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served from a 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass.

Pours light copper with orange tint with a small layer of white foam. Slight orange fruity smell. Some funkiness too.

Creamy taste, orange citrus overtones. Somewhat gritty mouthfeel, like too much of the rind got in the mix.

This one didn't work as much for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 19:29:09 | More by KTCamm

ChrisPratz

3.45/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Nice deeper amber coloring that pours to a fingers worth of head that dissipates to a very nice thick lacy veil of foam.

S: Nice caramel and malt flavors coming thru with some green apple and pear. Very light floral hops coming thru as well.

T: Nice spicyness on the front, white pepper coming thru in a Mack truck. Some light maltyness in there as well and some spicy hops notes at the end leading to the bitter after taste.

M: Light carbonation, creamyness on the palette from the flavors. Not very dry here despite the ABV.

O: Interesting spice notes coming thru with just a hint of maltyness fighting its way onto the palette before the hops bitterness rushes it away.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 03:31:52 | More by ChrisPratz

samie85

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear orangish copper color with two fingers of white head.

Green apple with sweet caramel with hints of spice... white pepper and clove.

Yeasty upfront with the clove and pepper followed by a bit of malt and finishes with a bit of bitterness.

Light and effervescent with fruity, spicy finish.

Pretty drinkable but I like a Biere de Garde to be a little less spiced.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 03:00:10 | More by samie85

mactrail

California

2.9/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

More like a golden bock beer, rather strong and even a little sweet. Very slight foam on the amber brew. A decent carbonation on the tongue. Beery and slightly perfumey aroma.

Fairly thick mouthfeel. Malty with a touch of butterscotch. I could not detect any of the Belgian flavors. I don't know how you would categorize this as a Biere de Garde or anything remotely in the style. Perfectly drinkable, but hard to rate it fairly. A scratchy finish with some winey bitterness.

From the 12 oz bottle, oddly enough available at the supermarket in DC.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 02:20:39 | More by mactrail

Johnnyfacelift

New York

3.28/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours copper colored and hazy with little to no head and some lacing. The aroma is apple cidar with savory notes and fruity undertones. The taste is right in line with the aroma and the mouthfeel is rich but not sweet. I am drinking this beer at the end of May and I think it would be better enjoyed in its intended month of March with the cold weather still in the air. Good beer but bad timing.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 22:41:58 | More by Johnnyfacelift

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the brewpub.

Much improved from the bottle version, with a lower carbonation, smoother mouthfeel, fuller body. Still a little one dimensional, quite malty, with caramel and honey sweetness and very restrained floral hops. Hints of black pepper and other spices (cloves and coriander, mostly). Not yeasty enough for my tastes; mostly just doughy, bready malt flavor. Lightly hazed orange color with a small white head, decent retention and lacing. A bit unexciting overall.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 17:53:22 | More by tobelerone

ksimons

New York

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-a clear amber with a thin layer of white head that leaves some lacing around the top

S-honey, pale malt, caramel, fruit, and yeast

T-tastes of pale malt, honey, spices, big fruit sweetness, bit of hop bitterness towards the end, and caramel

M-light/medium body, moderate carbonation, apple like sweetness

Overall good balance of flavors, good spices, pretty sweet but has a bit of hops to help balance it

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 23:52:47 | More by ksimons

Boto

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Draught @ Cambridge House: This one pours a crystal clear, slightly darker amber color. There was just a wisp of an off white head that still left some lacing. There is a pleasant nose to it. Mainly malts and some fruits. Hints of Belgian yeast also. The taste is also very good. Just a touch Belgian style sweet. Caramel malts, some fruits and earthy hops. Very smooth and easy drinking. A nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 14:36:48 | More by Boto

Thickfreakness

New York

3.23/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Pours a deep, honey-caramel orange with a tinted one finger head that fades away rather quickly and leaves just little drips and drabs of lacing. A decent little bit of carbonation.

S- Sugared lemons and black peppercorns. Subtle hints of honey, caramel, mowed over leaves, and some notes of bitter citrus peel and a touch of yeastiness.

T- Notes of sweet caramel, lemon pepper, spicy basil, toasted nuts, buttered popcorn, milky toffee. Again, little hints of bitter citrus peel. The pepper really hits you on the back end of the swallow, just before being overtaken by the sugary sweetness.

M- Decent blend of sweet and bitter... but in somehow, and weird way. No real sence of carbonation as the beer rolls on the tongue. Pretty darn flat indeed.

O- I wouldn't call this bland, but I was hoping for so much more from this fantastic brewery. Not bad, but I'm not sure I'll be buying this again anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 01:02:37 | More by Thickfreakness

yamar68

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crisp ruby/pear with a brief whisp of a head... no real lacing and a bit of beading forced by the etching.

The nose is pretty nice. Orange, wheat, light spice, some sweeter malts, not much for hops.

The taste is pretty dull - muted fruits and hops, this was extra'd to me and I have to believe that this one's too old... no freshness date but all the indicators are there.

I'd gladly give this one a shot again if I knew how fresh it was. Until then I'll have to pass.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 02:20:32 | More by yamar68

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Two finger head that settles to nothing. No lace. The broth is a dark golden color and nearly clear.

Mildly sour nose.

This has the sourness that one expects from a Farmhouse styled beer. Mostly malty but there is a touch of light spice from the hop. Smooth body with a long peppery aftertaste. Lowly carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 00:49:38 | More by smcolw

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip- pours a clear, relatively dark amber color with one finger of frothy white head. Decent retention, a nice bit of lacing. Requires a somewhat vigorous pour. Can't see any effervescence.

Smell is a little funky- not as much as I was expecting from previous reviewers. Definitely a good amount of malty sweetness there. A little earthy.

Taste is almost like an oktoberfest (?). Big carmel malts up front and riding on throughout; some fruit comes in halfway through, and a little bit of funk (BARELY any). The smallest bit of hop bitterness towards the end. Finish is sweet.

Mouthfeel is good- medium body with light to moderate carbonation. This is a strange brew- seems to me to be a mix of styles. I've only had three Biere de Garde's (Oro de Calabaza, Jack's Abby's and this) and they've all tasted quite different. Hard to say what's going on...

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 23:38:28 | More by Hopdaemon39