Southampton Altbier - Southampton Publick House

cosmicevan

New York

3.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

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. Copper color. Fairly malt forward with a soft hop. German crystalized malts. Nice easy drinker nothing mind blowing. Good altbier.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 18:17:52 | More by cosmicevan

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at the Publick House - 4oz taster pour.

Served with a small layer of off-white foam sitting on top of the clear, ruby-chestnut brown body. The head dissipated quickly, leaving very little lace behind.

The nose has roasted caramel malts, a spicy (fruit like) character and toasted grains.

The taste starts out with a fruit flavor...apples, that fades into the roasted grains and caramel malts.

Light mouth feel, a little watery with moderate carbonation.

Meh...drinkable, but not my favorite offering from these guys.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2010 14:37:18 | More by mgbickel

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark, but clear brown color with minimal head and lacing. Scent is of roasted nuts, bready yeasts, piney hops and a slight whiff of herbal. Taste is clean and clear with a minimal impact from roasted nuts, slight carmel sweetness, nice background of piney and herbal hops as well as bready yeasts. Lighter side of medium bodied. A decent tasting beer, nothing too special otherwise.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2010 13:41:08 | More by rfgetz

BrewitYerself

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a very clear coppery light brown. Thick, dense head, good lacing.

Mild aroma of bready sweet medium malts: crystal, munich, etc. Some honey-like malt aromas.

Moderate floral/herbal bitterness upfront, suppported by smooth caramel/honey malt sweetness. Very clean finish, slight lingering caramel/honey sweetness, with a touch of what I take to be noble hops. Some molasses/brown sugar. Very nice.

Light carbonation, full mouthfeel, quite chewy.

This is a robust, yet refreshing and drinkable beer. Very nice malt profile, sweet but not overly so, hopped with perfect finesse. I don't know much about altbiers, but I enjoyed the hell out of this one. From what I know, it seems adequately fitting to the style.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2009 03:08:29 | More by BrewitYerself

Natural510

Ohio

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark amber color with nice, rich head.
Maltiness is heavy with sweet & tart qualities.
Caramel malt with tart overtones; flavor most resembles green apple. Mild overall on the palate; creamy finish.
Creamy smooth; altbier is designed to be a lower ABV brew which can be drunk in large quantity and this offering succeeds.

Serving type: on-tap

08-12-2009 06:27:39 | More by Natural510

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A translucent brown body with less than a finger of off-white head. Decent retention, but not a lot of lacing left behind.

The aroma has caramel malt and some lightly toasted notes.

Caramel malt is once again the dominant element in flavor. The light, bready, toasted notes come next. There is also just a bit of a metallic flavor happening in there. I don't pick up much of a hop profile at all, which isn't necessarily a problem for the style, I just felt it was worth noting. Overall, it would be much cleaner and better without that mettalic bite.

Mouthfeel is light and moderately carbonated, pretty much what I would expect.

A fairly drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2009 13:55:01 | More by Hojaminbag

mltobin

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had a growler of this filled at Pawling Beer and Soda in NY.

Appearance is a a brown color with a thin head that quickly turns to a simple white foam ring. Smell has malt, caramel, and some more malt! Taste is interesting, a bit metallic, some sweetness as well. Mouthfeel has spice, aftertaste is faintly like a Werther`s Original candy. Drinkability is a little above average despite how my description of his Altbier may sound. It goes down fairly easy and it is unique.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2009 01:35:20 | More by mltobin

stingrayvr6

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at Local 44 in Philly. Poured an amber brown with thin white head. Smell was malty and bready. Taste was similar, with light hops in the finish. Nothing too complex, just a decent beer, good session beer if theres nothing better available.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2009 18:24:39 | More by stingrayvr6

BeerBelcher

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I don't think the beers served at Barleys Brewpub here in Columbus are very good, but their guest taps always offer a very interesting selection, and that is how I came to sample this beer.

Is diacetyl part of the altbier style? Seems like most that I have tried have a pretty heavy diacetyl presence.

This beer poured a deep amber color in the glass and had good head formation. Aroma was roasty caramel grains and butter. Diacetyl/butter notes also dominated mouthfeel (full, thick and smooth) and flavor (buttery) although other flavor notes were present also...primarily some nice cereal notes and bread-dough.

Not a bad beer by any stretch, and not of a style that people typically get too amped-up about. Pleasant and I'd recommend it if you are into the style. If not, cruise past it and pick-up whatever DIPA or RIS is the rage today.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2009 20:46:12 | More by BeerBelcher

Duhast500

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the tap into a tasting glass.

The color is a deep amber/red, with a foamy white head.

The smell is sweet, some malt flavor with a little bit of hop character.

The taste is a bit toasty, with a bit of sweetness, some dark fruit, and some carmel flavors as well.

The first taste was sweet but not tangy. The feel was easy with no sting to the pallete. Went down easy.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2009 13:30:09 | More by Duhast500

KI9A

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Deep mahogany, super creamy head. Lasted the whole glass.

S: Somewhat fruity, malty, slight piney hops.

T: Toffee, pear or grapes. Nice balanced hops at the back.

M: Clean, creamy, maybe a bit buttery.

D: Glass was empty pretty quick. This is a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2009 01:10:56 | More by KI9A

Amalak

New York

3.2/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I had off the tap at Boulevard Tavern in on Meeker Ave in Brooklyn. It had a brown/copper color to it, slight head that dissipated quickly and didn't leave any lace. No real scent to it.

It's kind of a bland beer. It's doesn't do anything that jumps out, androginous if you will. But it's easy to drink, kind of a base beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2009 22:01:18 | More by Amalak

kasper

New York

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a semi-translucent mahogany with an airy, faint tan head that leaves sporadic lacing threads around the glass..

S: Nutty, creamy, but on the light side. Hints of brown sugar and cinnamon.

T: Flavors of nuts, fresh foliage, though there is something metallic in the taste. This is a much better tasting brew on tap, which lacks the metallic aftertaste i got from the bottled version.

M: Moderate carbonation and mild carbonation, smooth and creamy.

D: A session beer in tap, not as enjoyable from the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2009 18:06:03 | More by kasper

VOR

Connecticut

3.1/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The Flagship of SHP

This is a perfectly good beer for 1998, but our pallets have move far beyond this bear as craft brewing has become more common and refined.

this bear almost stains your pallet, its kind of heavy and you dont usually want more than 3 in a setting.

the head is a little pungent, but respectable and then dies fairly quickly.

many bars on Eastern Lonf Island used to keep it on tap, but those days are mostly gone. ond for the better, because at the brewery its decent, but other bars charge more and might not clean their taps as well as SHP

asll in all its still a fine beer, but we all probably have a buddy that can bew someting simular.

mind you I still order it from time to time for old time sake, or if I dont like the seasonals

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2008 23:27:31 | More by VOR

DavidSeanNJ

New Jersey

2.88/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is my first beer that I was not impressed with from this brewery. I absolutely love Southampton, but this one was not the best.

A- Brown/amber color. Deep woody color. No head at all. No lace. Looks like a macro in the pint glass.

S- Huh? Where is the smokiness that I was looking for in the nose? Nowhere to be found. Caramel malts. Some wood and chocolate. Both of those are truly a reach.

T- Very unimpressive. I don't know where to begin. This was boring. I did not get the smoked malts at all. Yeah, there was malts but nothing smoked. Cocoa, marshmellow. Thats all folks. Bland...very average.

M- Light bodied. Watered down. Paper thing.

D- Come on southampton, we know you can do better. I wont go for this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2008 00:33:31 | More by DavidSeanNJ

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A. Served on tap. Nice rich brown color, a bit of head that forms some lace.

S. Light roasted malt, some noble hops.

T. A bit of grain on the tip of the tongue, some robust roasted malt flavor. A bit of dusty noble hop bitters.

M. Medium bodied and fairly smooth.

D. This would be pretty good to session. Not too sure of this style, but for a fall seasonal this is not bad.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2008 13:33:11 | More by Stinkypuss

Seanibus

California

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is not a bad beer, particular for an alt.

Pours coppery clear with a slight head with limited lacing. The aroma is slight as well, with a bit of malt and a slight lemony citrus character. The flavor is pleasant - bready, slightly acidic, with a hint of lemon. The flavor of plums and spice becomes more pronounced as it warms. There is a round, citrusy bitterness on the finish, with a slight bite of carbonation.

Not a bad session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2008 20:25:35 | More by Seanibus

fishtownhxc

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

in the glass this beer definitely looks like a alt styled german ale, but taste-wise it doesn't live up true to that form. not saying that this is a bad thing, because this is a pretty drinkable beer, but it definitely doesn't match up well against other alt beers brewed both here and in germany.

could use a bigger malt body and taste, and even a more refreshing hop aftertaste. not a bad beer by any stretch, but i wouldn't pick this up over others in the style. for $4 on tap at the memphis taproom here in philly, it's a good deal, but there are a lot of other beers i'd rather drink for $4 over this.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2008 14:34:44 | More by fishtownhxc

currysage1

Maine

2.78/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a reddish copper, with a two finger head, recedes to a ring in just a minute. Lacing trails down the glass.

Smell doesn't have much to offer, some maltiness, some dry grass, grain. Nothing exciting.

Taste is too watery for an altbier, needs more backbone. Not much malt to speak of, hops are minimal, some bite towards the end.

Mouthfeel is as said before too watery, too thin.

Drinkability was high because I could have 8 of these while cutting the grass, I wouldn't but I could. Would much rather a Double Bag.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2008 17:00:48 | More by currysage1

fitzy84

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at the Moan and Dove. Once settled, the drink had a very dark color with amber sidings when seen through light. Overall the smell was disappointing. I could sense caramel aromas but it was so faint, I practically could not smell it at all. However, I was blown away by the wicked sweet flavors in the tasting it. With the drink's sweet medium carbonation, but complete lack of aroma, I would say that this is a ok and pretty sweet ale overall.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2007 15:27:01 | More by fitzy84

atigerlife

Hawaii

3.28/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Ginger Man in Manhattan.

Pours amber with a small creamy head. Decent retention.

Aroma is malty with light hops. Had a slightly hard time picking up much else.

Taste was hops, malts, sweet. Slightly bready with some nuttiness. Nothing really stands out.

Mouthfeel had a medium body and cleansing.

Overall, an OK brew. Certainly drinkable. Certainly not offensive, but not really thrilling.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2007 23:46:59 | More by atigerlife

ski271

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at Zeno’s in State College
A: Medium-dark chestnut with a medium-sized, off-white, frothy head. Excellent lacing.
S: Meaty and brothy aroma, roasted malts, slightly burnt, light citrus in there for balance.
T: Lot of caramel & toffee, light butterscotch, and light citrus bitterness on the finish only
M: up front, it fooled me into thinking it was full bodied... but actually only medium-bodied, moderately dry, slightly astringent, moderate carbonation.
D: Not bad, glad I tried it. It’s good but not good enough to pick again over the other beers on Zeno’s impressive draft menu.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2007 19:29:36 | More by ski271

drseamus

New York

3.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I was deeply unimpressed when I was at Southampton Publick House and this was no different. It may have been served a bit too cold, but if the place that brews it serves it too cold, then I will hold that against them. It had a copper colored body and a slight malt aroma. The flavor had a decent malt profile and moderate hop bitterness. Overall, there isn't enough flavor in there for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-01-2007 01:36:14 | More by drseamus

lehows

New York

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

They changed the recipe for this beer about a year ago, and it's gotten better I believe. Pours a semi-dark amber color with a small off-white head. Head disapears completely but leaves some nice lace. Light bready aromas of grain and some mild hops. Taste is light malt and caramel, a slight fruity quality and a touch of floral hops. A good session brew but certainly not the best from Southampton.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2007 18:50:58 | More by lehows

Beertracker

Oklahoma

3.98/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Southampton Secret Ale is best served at cool, cellar temperatures (40-50°F) and enjoyed from a traditional short, straight-sided glass called a Stangen (pole) or from your favorite krug. The Secret Ale pours up neatly with moderate carbonation that creates a low, whitish head that sits atop a bright, copperish-orangish brown body. The head dissapates rather slowly leaving plenty of Düssel lace in its wake. Very nice! The slightly fruity (e.g. blood oranges, tangerines, etc...) aroma is lightly malty with an appealing fresh graininess. Hints of toasted almonds and freshly baked soda bread adds to the complexity along with a nice touch of spiciness from the traditional 'Noble' German hops. The flavor starts off slightly grainy with some toasted Munich maltiness that gives way to a clean, marked bitterness which carries into a clean, slightly dry, somewhat bittersweet finish. Firm medium bodied Altbier with a smooth creaminess. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite styles to enjoy...as it lends itself nicely to quaffing in mass quantities. Southampton's Secret Ale is certainly one of the more traditional examples that I've found and the quality is unsurpassed. Enjoy this one year round at the brewery and if you find yourself getting hungry... try pairing a it with some freshly baked soft pretzels or try the ale marinated boneless porkloin grilled w/ fire roasted apples served with garlic mashers. Here's to Phil Markowski and his Düsseldorfer inspired creation...the secret is out!

PROST! Beertracker

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2006 06:34:53 | More by Beertracker