Southampton Abbot 12 - Southampton Publick House

dickieb

Rhode Island

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark orange brown in color with a big fizzy white head. The head works down slowly and leaves good lacing. The smell is sweet with plums raisins and some other dark fruits. Some candied sugar is rather apparent. The flavor is big and belgian with some almost overly sweet malts, raisins Belgian spices and yeast. The alcohol is apparent but not overly so. The mouthfell is thick and sticky, and this was an easy bomber to finish on my own. A good quad, the best I can remember that dosent come from Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2008 01:30:26 | More by dickieb

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap.

Poured a deeper orange / copper color with a very small sized off white head. Aromas of dark fruits, caramel, light yeast, and just all around fruity. Tastes of raisins, plums, and caramel. Light ot medium alcohol in the finish. Sweet.

Notes from 6/13/08

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2008 00:36:34 | More by hopdog

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

deep dark and thick reddish tinted brown with a large tan colored head of foam rising up from the bottom and cresting about three inches above the top giving it a very full refined look. Very nice retention

big rum soaked raisins that really let you know that you were in for it here. This was balanced by a nice touch of alcohol and thick walloping of yeast that gave off all sorts of fruity like esters. The hints of fig, and pear were big as was the nice amount of sweetness that was added in to try and pull it all together. nice spicy rum like flavor that was intermingled and laced with lots of dark fruits. Nice flavors of raisins, figs, and prunes were evident as was a decent amount of sweetness added to the mix.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 02:47:06 | More by mikesgroove

metter98

New York

4.18/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear dark amber in color. It poured with a thin yet dense white head that faded away and left a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of sweet, dark malts in the nose.
T: The overall taste is rather sweet and has flavors of candi sugar and dark malts.
M: It feels a bit more than medium-bodied and very smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: Considering its strength, this beer is quite easy to drink because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2012 03:23:20 | More by metter98

TurdFurgison

Ohio

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

I tried this from a 750mL bottle on Dark Lord Day (thanks Andrew). This is one of only 2 beers I'll rate from that day (out of God knows how many others I tried "splashes" of), because it really stood out and I was able to get a nice pour (I reciprocated with Westvleteren 8). It was an awesome day.

The beer had the murky brown appearance (good thing) of St Bernardus 12 but not so much of a foam poof as I normally get from the latter. The aroma and flavor definitely compared with the St Bernardus (I assume this was what Southampton intended), but were less rich and overpowering. The nose in particular was beautiful, I kept sniffing the glass. The viscosity was up there enough to keep a thick feeling in my mouth, overall it was really well done.

I'm so glad I got a chance to try it, I've been searching for it part time for so long, it just never shows up anywhere I travel to in NY. Thanks again Andrew!

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2007 12:29:37 | More by TurdFurgison

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

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

Soft drinking tasty yeast, vanilla ice milk in taste and consistency. Nice white head and aroma. There is a peppery spiciness below the surface, rum finish. Nicely drinkable. Some sugar yet not too sweet.
I certainly would like to try this in a few years again.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2007 03:21:56 | More by northyorksammy

treyrab

Pennsylvania

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

Had this at a recent beer tasting and split it with jac5084. Poured it into a chalice...

A: Very surprised at the clarity of this beer. It was completely translucent with a nice dark amber red color. The head is a nice two finger head but does not last that long, nor does it lace.

S: Smells right up there with the best Quads around. Plums, raisins, figs, and sweet grapes. Bananas and clove also shoot out from the yeast.

T: Wow, incredibly sweet with almost no hop profile. Tastes as if there is some honey in there also. The dark fruits are more like puree and the clove profiles is amazing. The bottom line though, is this beer is incredibly sweet.

Overall, this was an absolutely amazing beer. It is a great representation of the style and one I would love to have again.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2008 21:33:29 | More by treyrab

lackenhauser

Maryland

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

Very nice, deep cola-colored brown. Nice, big tan head on top that fades all too quickly. Aroma of yeast and quite earthy. Solid malt flavor with a nice spiciness to it. Caramelized raisens and a bit of alcohol to it. Peppery and a somewhat cinnamon spice presence. Great sugary sweetness. The sweetness fades to a pleasant residual dryness. Good body. Extremely drinkable. As worthy an effort as any Belgian versions I have had. Top notch.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2007 23:28:59 | More by lackenhauser

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

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

Bottle generously gifted by jaywahk73, an appreciator of fine Belgian ales. Thanks a lot, Jeff!

Served in my Corsendonk tulip.

The appearance is a mostly transparent brown hue, with sunset orange highlights apparent when held to the light. A gentle pour yields nearly a half inch of head that displays lasting retention and leaves ample lacing on the glass.

The aroma is fantastic and instantly identifiable as a quadrupel. Dark fruits, Belgian yeast, malt, spice...just wonderful.

The taste is quite good. Fortunately, I have most of the 750 mL bottle left to sip over the next hour or two. The taste brings a prominent yeast flavor, as well as dark fruit and dark Belgian ale characteristics. Additionally, the beer has an underlying sweetness one would expect from a quad, and a hint of warming alcohol. Brown sugar and figs are in there as well. Nice and complex, a wonderful sipper.

The feel is really smooth and quite well done. Impressive. Alcohol content is disguised well. Carbonation level is moderately high, but not overly so.

This beer has some pretty mixed reviews. Perhaps there is some deviation in bottles and/or batches. I know the bottle I am enjoying is fantastic. This is without question the best American quad I have had.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 00:13:12 | More by Huhzubendah

Rastacouere

Quebec (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

Deep dark brown, light ruby hints. Small off-white head. Big, deep and juicy aromas of dark fruits (grapes, dates, banana, figs) and chocolatey malt (not as proeminent as rochefort 10). Sweet doughy yeast, cookie-ish in fact gets along well with the toffee or caramel ice cream reminiscent malt. Palate procures a light tartness which is not unpleasant. Very fruity from the beginning to the end, extremely malty leading even to a slight roasty bite. This may not be totally world-class, but it isn’t too far, very well-built for sure, complex, but also very sweet and in need of a few years to reach its full potentials imo. This was a 2003 bottle. Mouthfeel is awesome though, creamy, smooth, well rounded big body with carpet soft carbonation. Again, 2 thumbs up for biruchan and schoolteacher!

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2004 21:52:13 | More by Rastacouere

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to JoeCeez for sharing this one.

A - Auburn with nice highlights when held to the light and a strange fizzy, cola like light tan head that leaves a good amount of foam behind.

S - Sweet candi sugar, spicy yeast, dark fruits of plum and raisin that create a nice earthy aroma and remind me of a wonderful Mole sauce I had recently at Fronterra Grill. Brown sugar, caramel and maybe even a touch of banana.

T - Candy like sweetness of brown sugar mixed with candi sugar. Some spicy yeast follows and then mellows into an earthy, dark fruit treat of plums, figs and raisins.

M - Medium body with high carbonation but not fizzy in the mouth. Some alcohol warming and hotness.

D - On the sweet side but somehow it works in this beer. Not as complex as others I have had but there is something very tasty about this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2008 23:09:38 | More by brewcrew76

tmoneyba

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a cloudy brown color with a large frothy off-white head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate tart citrus and brown sugar aroma. Medium to full body with a sticky texture and fizzy carbonation. Heavy bittersweet flavor with a medium to heavy bittersweet finish of moderate duration. Good complex brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2010 23:02:36 | More by tmoneyba

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clear amber with copper hues. A half inch head of white quickly dissolved leaving behind a few dots of lacework and a ring around a placid surface.

Aromatics lead off with raisins, sweet toffee, juicy malt, grape jam, and caramel.
Hints of orange marmalade, dark rum, and vanilla follow through.

Medium bodied and quite sticky. A bit syrupy due to low carbonation.

Sweet malt and candi sugar lead off the pallet along with rum-soaked raisins, sugared caramel, and brown sugar. Some mild alcohol follows through on the throat.

Finishes with faint orangy notes, juicy malt, and more raisins.

This beer has a great nose, but the carbonation is way low for the style and the pallet is overly sweet.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2008 01:10:13 | More by brewandbbq

illidurit

California

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Obtained via trade with Rodenbacher.

Poured into the trusty Westvleteren goblet. Presents very nicely with an inch of tan head and a murky dark brown body with reddish amber hues. The carbonation is a bit fizzy however, and the head collapses soon leaving minimal lace.

Fruity aroma, mostly cherry with other dark fruits in the background. Candi sugar also makes its presence known.

A sip evokes that classic quadrupel taste; dark fruits like fig and raisin, chewy malt, a faint yeastiness, candi sugar. This beer however has something I haven't picked up in other quads (except for 3 philosophers for obvious reasons): a nice subtle dark cherry flavor.

The mouthfeel would have been spot on if it wasn't for the overcarbonation here. It makes the quaffing rocky and belching frequent.

Drinkability is solid. Easy to polish off a 750.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2007 03:31:27 | More by illidurit

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Really thick light tan/off white head on a crystal clear deep ruby body.
S- Light toffee, clove, grassy hops, sweet caramel, breads, yeast, chocolate, and dark fruits.
T- Clove, pepper, hint of banana. dark fruits, grass hops, chocolate, alcohol that just tickles the tongue, breads, and some other kind of "brighter" spice that I can't pinpoint all blended together nicley to make a nice complex flavor. Alcohol is a little hot at end with clove, toffee, and a pretty big bitterness left behind for the aftertaste.
M- Medium body with high carbonation.
D- This is a good quad. It reminds me most of the St. Bernys 12. A little hot but still a very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2007 21:40:53 | More by BlindPig

twiggamortis420

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Chimay chalice a mostly clear reddish-brown color with a huge cumulonimbus-like tan head. The bottle gushed a bit, so obviously the head was 3+ fingers. Amazing retention and lacing.

Heavily sweet caramel maltiness and dark fruits - currants and raisins. Big nose, but pretty straightforward. Some hints of honey, alcohol and wheat bread...think raisin bran.

Sweet, residual sugary fruitiness (cherries and prunes), followed by a mild fine-carbonated tongue scrubbing and finishes off with a nice alcohol warming and mildly toasty bitterness. Pretty tasty quad, wish I had another to cellar for awhile.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2009 23:21:25 | More by twiggamortis420

cbl2

New York

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

5/13/2007 $10.99 750 mL 9.90% No best by date.

Appearance:

Cork emerged after much strenuous negotiation with a sad little pop. Pours an odd soda-like color with loads of carbonation that lead to over 2 inches of frothy head that bursts like soap bubbles before settling with nary a lace left behind.

Aroma:

Muted fresh cherry juice with loads of belgian candy sugar.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Overly carbonated which detracts some points from the mouthfeel, which is otherwise chewy and slick. Flavors are bold ripe fig and cherry cordial with loads of belgian candied sugar in the finish. Alcohol is masked nicely throughout this delicious brew which only suffers from a CO2 issue.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2007 22:16:07 | More by cbl2

jjayjaye

New York

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear dark amber color with mahogany hues and a gynormous ice cream float-like light tan head. Visibly effervescent, leaving impressive lacing patterns in its wake. The initial uncorked smell came across a little sour to me, not sure what that was about, but that soon subsided. The aroma is primarily an earthy Belgian yeast, vanilla and dark fruits. Not sure, but I imagine that vanilla characteristic is part of the 10.5% ABV; nicely done. Those bountiful tiny bubbles really lend a creaminess to the mouth feel. Full flavored and bubbly, the sweet dark fig fruit taste is complemented by a tangy almond kick. This one is coming across like one my favorite Belgian Strong Dark Ales instead of a Quad. I'm having a REALLY HARD TIME spanking it for being 'beyond' style. The last quad that i had was in your face alcohol...i hope that when i get to Westvleteren 12 that it presents me with a happy medium or I'll really be bumbed. This is on my Favorties list...regardless of how I scored it.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2007 00:18:56 | More by jjayjaye

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Corked and caged 750mL, Sly Fox bottling.
Beautiful clear burnt orange colour topped by a thick, fluffy cap of beige foam. Chunky lacing that just won't go away, great head retention. Bready, yeasty nose with banana and brown sugar notes, raisin and plum. Lots of sugary sweetness, mild raisin and dried fruit, with just a bit of bready malt and banana. Toasted marshmallow, caramelized sugar. A bit peppery towards the end with a pleasant warmth in the finish. Medium to full bodied with a decent texture overall. Lots of carbonation and a bit sticky. Pretty good with some really nice character, but seems like it would benefit from slightly higher attenuation.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2008 01:46:32 | More by DrJay

t0rin0

California

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This bottle comes to me courtesy of halfP1NT. I was saving this for a tasting but I was told last wednesday that someone was already bringing one of these. So here we go.

I knew something was going to happen when I saw how deformed the cork was. Sure enough it goes flying out at about half the speed of sound and up comes the foam. Pours a a beautiful red/brown, crystal clear, lots of tall offwhite head, amazing retention and lacing. Not quite a 5 because of the garbage at the bottom.

Very malty, yeasty, and slightly spicey aroma. A little boozy and thats the only reason it doesn't get a 5. Also, some dark cherry and plum aroma.

Alcohol is quite strong in the flavor. Despite that its still a great flavor. I could see how another year would do wonders for this beer. Sweet malt, more plum, a touch of fig, fair amount of booze, and some bitterness (don't know if thats hops or alcohol).

Medium/heavy body, lots of CO2 (slightly too much), very smooth but a sipper. Goes great with this tri tip that I've got.

I know what I'll be loading up on when I go to EBF 2009.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 05:03:42 | More by t0rin0

MiScusi

California

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a rich opaque brown with a big creamy head, only if poured very vigorously though. Smell is sweet, has bits of alcohol, and light chocolate. The taste is very rich, again sweet with caramelized sugars and a very slight toast or roast. There is perhaps a light fruitiness wayyyy in the background. Mouthfeel is a nice medium, about what I would expect in a Belgian quadrupel. This is a good beer to be drank in small quantities.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2009 16:57:26 | More by MiScusi

wyattshotmaker

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a tulip, nice light brown color with a persistent white head. slightly hazy.

not sure how old this bottle is, i would assume atleast a year or two. very mellow aroma, raisiny, rummy, with a hint of medicinal phenolics.

caramel sweetness up front, hints of fig, raisin, whole grain bread, cough syrup, bit of rum. finishes with a bit of warming alcohol.

mouthfeel is effervescent and fitting. this is a great beer, i wish i could get it all the time in ohio.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2010 02:41:16 | More by wyattshotmaker

kmeves

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light hazed brown body with a huge frothy off white head a plenty of lacing. Aroma is very sweet with raisin, candi sugar, caramel, grape and plum. Flavor is raisin, plum, caramel, light nutty, honey and some grass. Long sweet finish with just a slight alcohol burn. Full body, very sticky texture.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2008 18:05:23 | More by kmeves

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap yet again at Capone's in a small serving.

A- This abbot 12 came with a fairly nice white head that faded with time. A deep dark red color with hints of brown and some activity within. Not anything in terms of lace.

S- This quad had all the familiar smells with raisins, dark toasted malt and brown sugar. Also getting dark fruits and a caramel sweetness as well leading to some toffee.

T- Good stuff. Sweetness but not overbearing. Dark malts, a hand full of raisins along with some yeast to balance it out. Ripe fruit including apples and some berries. A good amount of spices not overdone again. Caramel backing.

M- Not quite thick but this coats the mouth, I would say it's a step above medium with lively carbonation. Alcohol only barely noticable with a sweet aftertaste. A good sipper.

D- A nice drinkable quad but if I had a bottle it would probably be best split among friends. I heard rumblings that this was a 07' version even though it was listed as 08'. Well, it sure drinks like an 07.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2009 04:00:28 | More by onix1agr

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, deep amber color that appeared almost mahogany. Off white/egg shell colored fizzy head that fades quite quickly. Splotchy lacing sticks in the glass.

Aroma is earthy, malty with some sweetness and the slightest yeast tones.

There is a bit of alcohol as the flavor burst in your mouth. Not hot, but perceptible. Nicely complex flavors. Dates, prunes, cherries and a hint of white pepper. Not much yeast character, but the layers of fruit and malt tones add nice depth.

Smooth, silky mouth feel. Almost syrup like.

Very enjoyable. I like this.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2009 02:19:50 | More by Reagan1984