Grand Cru
Southampton Publick House

Grand CruGrand Cru
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From:
Southampton Publick House
 
New York, United States
Style:
Belgian Pale Strong Ale
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
94
Avg:
4.21 | pDev: 11.4%
Reviews:
294
Ratings:
404
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 07, 2022
Added:
Jun 08, 2003
Wants:
  152
Gots:
  27
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of edthehead
Reviewed by edthehead from Maryland

4.3/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2003 vintage (batch 1), 19 years aged, held up pretty well. Dark amber, caramel, molasses, muted beige head. Slight oxidation and stillness but still retained much of what i anticipated.
Jun 07, 2022
Photo of VoxRationis
Reviewed by VoxRationis from New York

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Decanted from 16.94 oz (750 ml) caged and corked bottle into a custom taster pint: bottled 06/10/19.
A: Pours a hazy, amber to brown color with little appreciable carbonation or head.
S: Aromas of caramel, but most molasses, honeysuckle, apricot and cocoa (on the back of the palate).. Gorgeous.
T: Sweet up front but ultimately semisweet. Palate largely follows the nose, but a lot of caramel, almost a Werther's candy flavor. Bitterness way in the background.
M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.
O: To my palate, this is an English Old Ale. Saying it is a Belgian anything is just not accurate. As a EOA, gorgeous. Really enjoyed it.
Jul 20, 2019
Photo of argock
Reviewed by argock from Virginia

3.27/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Cellared 750 ml brown bottle poured into a Chimay goblet. Purchased in 2008, best by 2012 smudged date on back label.

A: Murky amber with tons of floaters despite a careful pour. Fleeting white foamy head weigh no lacing.

S: Mostly sweet pilsner malt and bubble gum with a light pear yeast ester and dash of coriander

T: Seems like it's probably a shadow of its former self with a washed out pilsner malt sweetness, some oxidation paper, with low bitterness and light orange and coriander notes in the finish.

M: Also thin and a bit lifeless with moderate carbonation and light, light body

O: WOuld love to find this again and try fresher.
Jan 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.98 by tedho21 from Pennsylvania

Dec 21, 2016
Photo of PugsandBeer
Rated by PugsandBeer from Florida

4.09/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I
Sep 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by CharlesK from Pennsylvania

Jul 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Jul 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.28 by BradtheGreat7 from Ohio

Jun 18, 2016
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My rating and review of this Grand Cru suffers from unfair comparison; having just previously shared an absolutely splendid Ambree from La Choulette.

This also was my only Had from Southhampton, which is highly regarded. So my Had had bad timing.
Looks and smells like a fine strong Belgian pale, but that promise was not met in the taste; which seemed to lack complexity, possibly from needing a fuller yeast. The mouth was better. Better yet, there was no sign of alcohol; given its strength.

Recommended, but have by itself; just to be fair.
Jun 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by Wizzle32 from Pennsylvania

Mar 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.86 by unclekeith from Alaska

Feb 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.17 by REVZEB from Illinois

Feb 07, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by DeadeyeOTDO from Arizona

Dec 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by t2grogan from Arizona

Dec 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.46 by robc3366 from Massachusetts

Dec 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ChrisL24481 from New Hampshire

Dec 02, 2015
Photo of SadMachine
Reviewed by SadMachine from New Jersey

3.37/5  rDev -20%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Unfortunately this bottle was very old as I accidentally left it in my cellar for wayyyy too long! I'd be interested in trying this fresh since I'm sure it would be a much better beer!
Oct 01, 2015
Photo of GarthDanielson
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a cork and cage bomber into a snifter, the beer is a hazy, vibrant, copper-orange coloring with a halo of white head. Aromas of apple, orange rind, apricot, brown sugar, coriander, licorice, subtle woody and earthy highlights, and boozy highlights. Flavors are bold and sweet forward, with a blend of apricot, orange rind, pineapple, and honey, all on a bready and chewy backbone. Highlights of coriander and nutmeg keep the sweetness in balance. The body is rich and full, staying smooth throughout. The aftertaste is more of the fruit and spice blend, with a good solid dose of booze warmth building as you go. The finish is extremely smooth, rich, and layered, with a boozy and fruity linger. Really good beer.
Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by wethorseblanket from California

Aug 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.67 by aaronyoung01 from New Mexico

Aug 16, 2015
Grand Cru from Southampton Publick House
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 404 ratings