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750ml
Halftime Beverage

Southampton's Saison Deluxe pours a slightly hazed straw yellow. Extremely light colored body. A massive white bubbly head formed on the pour. I had to quit pouring after half a glass because of the rapidly rising head. Carbonation bubbles stream to the head that eventually lays down to a thick cap. Definately looks good but the lacing just doesn't want to stick.

Aroma starts off with very pale malts, mostly biscuity. Over the top of the biscuity malts comes the aroma of a summer field and then a good sprinkling of spice. There is a drop or two of sweet orchard fruits (juicy ripe pear and peach) that run along the lines of a tripel. Mild alcohol spice toward the backend.

Flavor is hand in hand with the aroma. This is walking the line between a tripel and saison. There's an awful lot of ripe fruits in the flavor but there is some of that saison field grassiness. Ends with grassy hop character that flashes by. Very good.

Body is on the light side of medium with a tongue prickling carbonation. The strong carbonation turns this beer frothy mid-palate. Not as dry as other styles but with all the fruitiness that's not a problem.

I'm having no problem at all finishing off this bottle. As a matter of fact it's disappearing far too fast. Thirst quenching yet leaving you want another sip immediately.

This is an interesting beer from Southampton and one I would without a doubt pick up again. Unique saison with the tripel characteristics make this a wonderful beer.

Reviewed: 8/19/07

Served In: Tulip

A - Holy christ. Pour this one carefully. Initial pour produced a glass that was 90% head. Slightly yellowed white head is very soapy looked. Body is golden and clear, with loads of small bubbles racing to the surface.

S - Smells fresh and yeasty. Belgian yeast is predominant, bringing some spiciness of black pepper along with a slight earthy funkiness. Sweet doughy pale malts.

T - Wow, this has different highlights than in the nose. Big, powerful spiciness right up front. Big coriander, black pepper, white pepper, star anise and grains of paradise that seems to come on in waves as it sits on your tongue. Light, even bitterness comes on at almost the same time some bready malt base hits. Yeastiness comes towards the end, and much more subtly than the spices. Light earthiness brought about by the yeast. Finish is clean.

M - Medium bodied with crisp, slightly aggressive carbonation.

Overall - Good brew for the style. Saisons are not my favorite style really, but I am enjoying this one. Spices might be a little over the top for some, but it's hitting me the right way today.

Served In: Tulip