Trappist Pale Ale
Southampton Publick House

 

From notes: One of my favorite Southamptons, this one is truly awesome and indeed better than Orval. However, I do think that Scott has outdone Phil on this one, as imvho, McKenzies TPA is even better than this one. Aged 750ml bottle. Copper with a nice head of off-white froth that lasts and leaves nice lacing in my small glass as well. Aromas are funky and very TPA-like with some funky farmhousy brett notes up front as well as some citrusy hop notes as well (think 7up/lemon and lime). The taste is quite awesome as well with a wonderful blend of that bretty, farmy funk with some nice biscuity malts and some wonderful floral/citrusy hops as well. Middle become more drying, but not as deathly bone dry as orval. More funky flavors come into play as well, and the hoppiness subsides a bit and lets the funk take to the stage. Finish is dry and superbly complex with more brett notes rounding out the bitter finish, that is some how neither too dry or too hoppy. Awesome.

Huge, creamy head. The beer is light in color. The head lasts forever and provided awesome lacing. There's an apple aroma, but you have to work hard to get it. Not too much there. Smells alittle bitter. The taste is similar to the aroma, but it's more "in your face" and complex. Crisy moouthfeel, but still a little thick and malty. Very drinkable. I could drink a lot of this. It has great presence and keeps me thinking about the beer.