Southampton Scotch Ale - Southampton Publick House

nomad

Kansas

3.48/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

1/2 gallon growler from Finger Lakes Beverage in Ithaca, NY

Pours a mahogany inflected dark amber, combining to a complex murky auburn. A protein-thick head is quick to rise and always settled nicely with some heavy lacing.

In terms of smell, well, its a reach to get more than an occasional smooth tart and fruity ester over a very grainy, very solemn malty nose with just a hint of caramel. Lager-like calm.

Tastes of biscuity malt, but lowly so and muted by a cold nap. Opens to kilned coffee edginess seemingly from roasted barley and a strong hopping of minty and earthy flavor and dryness. Its a flatter flavor profile, again close to a lager, with highly rounded out (and toned down) flavors with nary a yeast note. Glassy on the tongue and quick to fall from its moderate thickness.

Overall, it was a furiously fast bee line from small malty opening to raspy English hop burnish in the finish, little flavor in the middle but cold conditioned ease. Whatever the shilling weight was it did not show it all.

Serving type: growler

01-16-2006 14:47:50 | More by nomad

cosmicevan

New York

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

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. Really nice orange brown color. Great caramel smell and taste. Super enjoyable. Little boozy. Would have again!

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 18:12:48 | More by cosmicevan

xenjoiii

New York

4.31/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2013 Release - Growler filled during the 2013 Imperial Russian Stout release dinner.

A: Poured into my southampton RIS snifter. The liquid is dark ruby/mahogany in color and yielded a one finger off white head.

S: Sweet malts, chocolate and caramel. This smells delicious.

T: Notes of caramel and sweet/biscuity malt that are rounded off with coco and hint of roasted coffee. Wonderful.

M: Medium bodied and light carbonation.

O: I was really impressed with this beer. The flavors are rich and well defined. I wish I would have brought home an extra growler of this. This needs to be bottled again.

Serving type: growler

03-05-2013 02:18:26 | More by xenjoiii

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%

01-12-2013 01:14:10 | More by spycow

whartontallboy

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

01-15-2012 21:37:49 | More by whartontallboy

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3/5  rDev -22.7%

01-13-2012 04:45:44 | More by ygtbsm94

jophish17

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%

12-24-2011 11:38:11 | More by jophish17

AgentZero

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Copper/amber colored beer with a decent sized head that had good retention and lace.

S - Lots of caramel and dark fruit. There is a bit of peat, but it's not as peaty as I generally like for the style.

T - Taste is primarily caramel and dark fruit. This is pretty non-offensive and sweet for the style, and pretty easy to drink. It's solid.

M - Lighter side of medium bodied, moderate carbonation.

O - Actually not bad, considering this is a style of beer I don't go for. Easy to drink, and decent tasting.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 04:18:52 | More by AgentZero

MasterSki

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another Southampton brew from shaebs99 - thanks for providing roughly 25% of our tasting dude! Served in a Heady Topper glass.

A - Half-finger of off-white foam that settles to a thin collar with a wisp of bubbles on top but no lace. Hazed caramel brown color.

S - Burnt sugars, earthy roasted barley, some light stale oxidation, and not much in the way of treacle or smoke.

T - Roasted malts, light smoke, caramel, dark fruits, well-hidden alcohol. Manages to be sweet without verging on cloying. Pretty accurate to style, but nothing mind-blowing.

M - Medium body that was a touch lighter than I expected. Alcohol is well-hidden. Soft, lower carbonation. Surprisingly dry finish.

D - This is a solid take on a style that I don't generally find very exciting. No major problems, but not exciting enough to warrant seeking out specifically.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 04:24:01 | More by MasterSki

ikats

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Dark, deep ruby in color with a few floaties that settled on the bottom. Should've poured more carefully. Tall tan head that dissipated to a good 1/8-1/4 inch cover. I got the first wiff as I was pouring the beer, and I really enjoy its aroma. The nose is filled with malts and wonderful roasted character. The body is lighter than I expected, and the taste is a little more burnt than I would've preferred. There is small, but noticeable alcohol warming effect. I find this beer very drinkable. As usual with Southampton's offerings, this beer is very close to the style.

Picked up the bottle at Southampton Publick House last November.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2010 04:50:05 | More by ikats

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into my nonic pint glass. The ale appears a hazed deep apricot color with a good inch or so of creamy light rust colored foam. The head lingers for a bit before settling to a thin ring. Nose and flavors consist of medium roasted bready grains, sweet biscuits, caramel, alcohol, a wisp of smoke, ripe fall fruits. Amply carbonated with a medium to full smooth body and a warming finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2009 14:57:39 | More by ClockworkOrange

gford217

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Bill for another Southampton beer - 750mL bottle poured into a snifter.

Pours a deep, clear copper with a huge creamy beige head that hangs around forever and leaves some good lacing.

There was plenty of sweet caramel malts in the aroma but also a strong smoked peat presence which I like in this style. There are hints of some dark fruits as well a little bit of wood character.

The taste is a bit sweeter than the aroma and has a cola-esque sweetness with caramel and dark fruits, before the slight smokiness of the dark malts sweeps over the tongue and leaves a peaty, slightly dry finish.

The mouthfeel is medium with plenty of carbonation and leaeves a nice feel in the mouth overall. I can't put my figure on the exact reason, but it's a really nice mouthfeel for me.

I've had some mixed results with Southampton lately, but honestly I loved this one. It's a nice full-flavored Scotch ale with a solid smoked peat presence, which I really like. I'd seek this one out, especially if you're a fan of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 01:57:45 | More by gford217

Nickls

District of Columbia

3.7/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

(From notes)

A - Translucent, deep coppery color with ruby red highlights; rich looking slightly off-white finger of foam; solid head retention.

S - Lightly sweet maltiness; whiff of dark grapes

T - Sweet maltiness dominates, but the grape-like fruitiness is a little odd and a bit much

M - Thinner to Medium; decent enough body and expected for the style

D - Just OK; interesting at points, but the grape-like flavors really made this nearly a chore to finish

Overall, this brew looked beautiful, but didn't really deliver the rest of the way. Not bad by any stretch, but I've had way better in the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2009 18:33:26 | More by Nickls

glid02

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this courtesy of Ding - thanks!

Pours a dark brown color with a two-finger tan head. The head recedes slowly into a thin pancake on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of roasted, toasted, and caramelized malt with a hint of earthy smoke.

Tastes very good. Caramelized and toasted malt flavors up front carry through until a mildly bitter but also surprisingly sweet ending. Also present are light earthy and smoky flavors.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall this is the kind os Scotch Ale that I like - more on the roasted side of things with good earthy flavors rather than a sweet malt bomb. Definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2009 19:44:40 | More by glid02

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I got this bottle in a trade qith Nutbrown. Thanks Alan!

This pours from silver foil wrapped caged and corked 750ML bottle (8.5%abv) a clear amber brown with a +2 finger head of foam.

The smell has notes of caramel, roasted malt, and light citrus hops. I like the nose on this one a lot.

The taste is of roasted and caramel malts that bring much sweetness followed by a big biscuit flavour and a light smokiness. The malt is *really* in your face here but if you could see my face, you'd see a big smile on it. The hop presence is minimal as it should be for the style..just a bit of a twang near the finish. Scotch Ales are a real hit or miss with me; many of the better regarded examples, I've found, haven't been all that enjoyable. I'm hoping this one doesn't disappoint further into the session because it's starting off on a great note.

Still sipping, still enjoying. The head retention is pretty darn good and there's near complete sheeting of lace after every sip. And...for being as strong at is is, the alcohol is very well hidden though I know it *will* catch up to me.

The mouthfeel is medium and the carbonation is rather high for a Southampton brew but still in medium territory. That makes for a luxuriously smooth drinker.

Drinkability? I just refilled my glass with this now slightly hazy brew and the smile is still there. ;^) This is dangerously drinkable. It's been a while since I've had a Scotch Ale that I've enjoyed as much as this one. Maybe this style is *not* a lost cause for me. lol

Thanks again, Alan!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2009 16:16:30 | More by Bitterbill

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's for a southampton event.

A- Southampton Scotch is a dark color from afar and close up has a deep amber color bordering on mahogany. The small thin white cap of foam had good staying power leaving some mess on the glass.

S- Something you would expect in a scotch ale with a deep toasted malt flavor giving way to bready scents. This also leads to a caramel toffee scent leading towards the former as well as some grain.

T- I like this scotch ale. Sure there is not that much variation on this style but Southampton does it right. The malt is up front giving way to biscuit's. Some roasted flavors with barley. Some nuttiness in the back with an overall sweetness.

M- This is medium bodied and fairly carbonated that is felt in the mouth. Not the sweetest scotch ale that i've had which makes it all the more inviting. This is a smooth ride all and all.

D- I missed the bottle release so i'm glad I found it onb tap. A bit high in alcohol but also a bit high in quality. Get at it if you come by it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2009 02:40:13 | More by onix1agr

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. Pours a clear orange brown with a thick light tan head. Aroma of spices, peat, butterscotch (mostly butter). Flavor is quite sweet, lots of butter (diacetyl) and butterscotch. It's not bad but a little on the sweet side. Could be a little more complex.
7/4/7/4/14 (3.6/5)

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2009 23:27:02 | More by LilBeerDoctor

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Southampton Public House.

I had this at the Valentine Day's bottle release party! Poured a deep and dark amberish/brownish color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of some peat/earthiness, caramel and all around malty. Tastes of caramel, malty, brown sugary, the same lighter peatiness, and dark fruity. Smooth and very easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2009 22:56:40 | More by hopdog

plaid75

New York

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a deep murky amber hue with a one finger creamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured an earthy hop, some sweet malts and peaty smoke.

The taste consisted of an earthy smoky malt with a balacing herbal hop.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.

Overall a complex Scotch Ale. Very flavorful.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2009 23:10:01 | More by plaid75

thekevlarkid

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Off the tap at the Southampton event at American Flatbread this Wee Heavy type ale was a dark garnet color. The head was beige/tan, the retention of the skim mediocre but the lacing off of it was good. The aroma was light, caramel malt and toasted malt with some nuttiness. The flavors were good for the style and highly enjoyable. Chocolate malt, caramel malt, wood, smokiness, and again the hints of nuts. The alcohol was well hidden for a Wee Heavy, partly because it had the right (rather high) amount of sweetness to it. The mouthfeel was smooth but a little oily, the body medium and the carbonation delicate. If you like this style I'm sure you would find it sessionable, apropos and balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2009 03:29:13 | More by thekevlarkid

joerodiii

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served at the Publick House in a "modified collins glass" -- shorter and wider than a normal collins glass.

The beer was a medium brown with nice clarity. It arrived with minimal head. It didn't have much in the aroma dept. It was slightly malty-smelling. I couldn't discern any hops or caramel.

I could taste slight peatiness and moderate maltiness with slight alcohol in the end. The beer had good balance in that no one thing stood out. It blended all the appropriate scotch ale flavors nicely. The beer is dangerous in that it doesn't taste as strong as it is.

Mouthfeel was great for the style...you know it's there but it's not too thick or too strongly carbonated.

This was a very drinkable beer. I could drink gallons of this. It could be a session scotch ale.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2009 15:55:13 | More by joerodiii