smellysell
Go Vols!!!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2007
- Messages
- 9,915
This is widely regarded as one of the best American quads brewed, so I’ve been on the hunt for some for quite a while. I found a great liquor store in RI that carries Southampton stuff a while back and ordered a bottle and was very excited to try it.
Style – Quadrupel
ABV – 10.5%
Brewed In – Southampton, NY
Availability – Rotating
Score – 7.5/10
Appearance
Pours a dark, clear caramel. I’m still trying to figure out why I can’t get a decent pic with my camera anymore? Even with an extremely gentle pour, there is a huge, fluffy white head. The head has very good retention, but surprisingly thin lacing. There are also signs of heavy carbonation.
Smell
The smell is dominated by sweet malts, and lots of them. I also pick up plum, cloves, and a hint of alcohol.
Taste
Molasses and figs up front. Also dark cherries that reminds me of the Flathead cherries we get around here this time of year. Surprisingly, the alcohol flavor is completely absent. It finishes extremely sweet, some much so that it’s almost like a sugar cube. This mellowed a bit as it warmed, but for my taste was far too sweet. I really enjoyed the complexity and all the other flavors, but the over the top sweetness was too much for me.
Feel
This is a bit thin bodied for my tastes. The light carbonation caught me off guard after the surplus of bubbles that are present when looking at it. Despite the lack of body, it does leave a lingering molasses flavor, which is actually very pleasant.
Verdict
I thought this was OK, but far from special. It had nice complexity and very enjoyable flavors, but was just far too sweet. I don’t know if the sweetness would mellow out with some time in the cellar or get worse. As much as I was looking forward to trying this I was definitely let down.
Style – Quadrupel
ABV – 10.5%
Brewed In – Southampton, NY
Availability – Rotating
Score – 7.5/10
Appearance
Pours a dark, clear caramel. I’m still trying to figure out why I can’t get a decent pic with my camera anymore? Even with an extremely gentle pour, there is a huge, fluffy white head. The head has very good retention, but surprisingly thin lacing. There are also signs of heavy carbonation.
Smell
The smell is dominated by sweet malts, and lots of them. I also pick up plum, cloves, and a hint of alcohol.
Taste
Molasses and figs up front. Also dark cherries that reminds me of the Flathead cherries we get around here this time of year. Surprisingly, the alcohol flavor is completely absent. It finishes extremely sweet, some much so that it’s almost like a sugar cube. This mellowed a bit as it warmed, but for my taste was far too sweet. I really enjoyed the complexity and all the other flavors, but the over the top sweetness was too much for me.
Feel
This is a bit thin bodied for my tastes. The light carbonation caught me off guard after the surplus of bubbles that are present when looking at it. Despite the lack of body, it does leave a lingering molasses flavor, which is actually very pleasant.
Verdict
I thought this was OK, but far from special. It had nice complexity and very enjoyable flavors, but was just far too sweet. I don’t know if the sweetness would mellow out with some time in the cellar or get worse. As much as I was looking forward to trying this I was definitely let down.
