Southampton May Bock - Southampton Publick House

Ego

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

available @ oak tree buy rite, south plainfield nj, it should be rather widely available now (I have seen it at other place, basically if you see the IPA 6 packs they should be able to get this...)

eyes...
one finger of crackling white to clear head, good amount of carbonation but the head fades quickly, average cling but it leaves a film like wine, on par for the style perhaps maybe just a little bland. light caramel in color, clear and clean looking as well

nose...
light toasted malts scrubbed with some soap, clean grains, a hint of alcohol sweetness or sharp/acidic honey, some caramel tones. the nose is very subdued but what is found is pleasant in all aspects, I can not go above average on the nose however...

taste etc...
the lagering is superb, it is at once spicy, sweet, full, just a pinch from the carbonation bites you and then it leaves the mouth - coated, not dry but inching you to take another sip. the toasted notes in the aftertaste really shine, it has "just" enough sweetness, "just" enough bitter slide on the edges of the tongue and "just" enough carbonation to hold it all together and make it drinkable as all get out. this is delicious.

verdict?
another home run for Southampton (well, at least in the taste). The saison is an absolute classic and this one does not lag far behind in terms of drinkability, I will be spending the month of may courting this beauty and sharing her with my friends.. hmm, that sounds sort of dirty... cool.

PS: looking at my overall number is deceiving... look at the taste and drinkability to know where it is at for this beer...

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2006 02:29:51 | More by Ego

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.18/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I got a 10 oz bottle of this at Half time beverages Saturday and am enjoying today. The brew pours a clear rich amber color with a fluffy, beige, marshmallowy head of about 1 cm floating on the surface and fading slowly. WHile subsiding the brew leaves a very tight latticework on the side of my pint glass.
Aroma is mild but I detect grainy malt hits with some caramel and light floral hops too.
First sip, reveals a rolling, yet fine carbonation that massages my tongue on the way down to my belly. The body is average, but the flavor is great!
I expected a light grainy malt presence from the nose, but instead I get a strong roasted malt presence right off the bat, some sweetness up front too which finishes with a bit of grassy hops mixed with a sweet biscuity malt. After the brew leaves my mouth a rich toasted flavor remains encouraging me to take another sip. This is quite an impressive brew and I recommend grabbing some from the pub or anywhere you may see this well crafted beverage.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2004 21:53:08 | More by sulldaddy

longpondbeerman

Maine

4.13/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared a growler of this seasonal with Greatpondbrewer, and I must say that Southampton has a winner. I'm not a lager drinker for sure, but this could almost convert me. It pours a dark amber, highlighted with reds and golds, and it has a frothy, bubbly cream-colored head; there was very little lacing as the head receded quickly. To the nose, it is sweet and clean, but not terribly distinctive. However, the taste is much better; I noted its sweetness to be sure, but there's some subtle smokiness in the undercarriage and after a while the peanut taste becomes more apparent. Also, I notice cloves, but not in a cloying way. The mouthfeel is thin, and there is virtually no carbonation. Give this a go; frankly, the taste alone is worth it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2004 22:49:12 | More by longpondbeerman

GreatPondBrewer

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

64oz. growler from Half Time. Poured an amber bordering on golden color. Loose, off-white head on top that receded into bubbles and foam. Smell was slightly clovey and banana like with notes of juicy fruit flavors as well. Taste started off with more of those traditional bock characteristics of cloves and sweet autumn spices and banana esters, but half way through the taste it morphs to a more biscuity, toasty flavor and a slight hop bitterness. The taste and mouthfeel with less carbonation, lack the cleaness of a traditional lager beer, but make up for it with an increased complexity. This is the perfect beer to sip on a cooler spring night. Side by side comparison with the smutty Maibock and this one came out the big winner.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2004 22:39:46 | More by GreatPondBrewer