Beer Review: Southampton Publick House Saison Deluxe

Southampton Publick House of Southampton, N.Y., has been brewing "beers of distinction" since opening in 1996. The brewery holds so many Great American Beer Festival medals that it's in the top ranks of all craft breweries in the past 10 years in that standing, thanks to a wide variety of American, Belgian, and English style ales. Farmhouse ale Saison Deluxe is a two-time GABF silver medal winner — saisons are one of the brewery's specialties. Head brewer Phil Markowski even wrote a book on the subject: Farmhouse Ales: Culture and Craftsmanship in the Belgian Tradition.

Poured from a corked and caged 750-milliliter bottle into a large wine glass, Saison Deluxe boasts a golden straw color with an attractive, foamy white head. The aroma is that of a classic saison: a slight barnyard musty character balanced by sweet fruit notes and tones of Belgian yeast. The tropical fruit flavors hinted at in the nose are fully present in the taste, creating a nice tone that isn't cloying or over the top. There is a crisp finish with lingering sugary notes left behind on the tongue. This beer is nicely refreshing yet surprisingly strong, at 7.2 percent ABV.

As with many of Southampton Publick House's offerings, Saison Deluxe showcases great skill and craft within a very refined, traditional style. Look for this seasonal offering when planning a dinner or a night out to a BYOB; it's available now and is great for sharing and will complement food very well. Southhampton is distributed throughout the U.S., mostly in cities. If you can't find Saison Deluxe, try one of Southampton Publick House's other farmhouse offerings such as Grand Cru or Cuvée des Fleurs.

— Mike Lorenz, The Drink Nation

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