Last year during the Great Pumpkin Beer Hunt of 2008, Southampton Pumpkin Ale was one of the most recommended brews I came across in my research. I looked high and low for this beer, but even a trip to a particular New York gas station which was rumored to have had a few cases turned out to be fruitless.
This year, thanks to the fantastic beer selection at my local Whole Foods (Paramus, N.J.), I was finally able to delve into the beer-sperience (beer experience?) of Southampton Publick House Pumpkin Ale.
The Beer: Southampton Publick House Pumpkin Ale
The Brewery: Southampton Publick House. Brewed in Long Island, N.Y. Bottled in Latrobe, Penn.
Alcohol Content: 5.5%
My Local Price: $8.99 for a six-pack
What’s interesting about Southampton is that for a beer with a normal alcohol content level, it has a headier taste. I’d attribute this strength to the vanilla extract used in the brewing process, which makes for a much more diverse taste than the average pumpkin ale. Even with this stronger flavor, Southampton is a crisp and clean beer with a medium heaviness, semi-clear consistency and a deep pumpkin aroma with a hint of the aforementioned vanilla. The previously reviewed Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale definitely had more of a beer vibe, but Southampton is most definitely an ale. Imagine the consistency and taste experience of a Smithwick’s with the permeation of pumpkin and you get Southampton.
Ideally a beer suited to a more experienced tongue, Southampton has a bit more depth than a basic pumpkin beer but is still approachable for the average beer drinker. A solid seasonal with an interesting vanilla variation on the pumpkin beer category, this one is worth the time for fans of pumpkin ales.
Similar Posts:
- Reviews of Pumpkin Brews: Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale
- Pumpkin Beer Season has begun!
- Reviews of Brews: A random sampling
Can you get Southern Tier’s Pumking or am I going to have to send you one in the mail?
I take that back. I’m a moron. It’s from New York. Of course you can.
I have the Pumking in my fridge right now. Whole Foods comes through for me again!
Cheers to Whole Foods! Love that place. Got the PumKing in the fridge as well but I may have to make a trip back for this Southampton stuff. Sounds good. Total Wine is pretty good for singles if you’re ever looking to just try something w/o a sixer type of commitment.
Jim + “beer-sperience’ = marketing genius!