Last Thursday, while I had pneumonia but didn’t know it, I attended the annual Beer Tasting at the Southampton Publick House. The event has been running for at least a decade, almost two. Lisa and I have friends who live in the Hamptons and who were able to score us seats at this exclusive event. By exclusive, I mean they limit attendance to a dinner for about 60 people. This is small enough that you can have the host moving about from table to table, and large enough to give the community a shot at attending.
I have been to wine and beer tastings before, at Restaurants. The Southampton Publick House is a real brewary, and a bar, and a restaurant. The tasting was fantastic. If my fever didn’t kick in half-way through the meal, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. My last memory was of he Pumpkin Ale, wonderfully paired with a caramel cheese case with light hints of cinnamon. Really, the dinner and beer kicked goddamn ass.
Here are the brews I enjoyed during the event. I’m no wine/beer/food critic, but I must admit my commentary (in parenthesis) on each beer is simple and brilliant.
Double White- A double strength version of classic Belgian White ale. It is an unfiltered wheat-based brew infused with orange curacao and coriander. The Double While is deceptively strong at 7.2% alcohol.
(I fucking hate wheat beers)
Altbier- A copper-colored German ale with a malty flavor and a refreshing hop bitterness
(Formerly known as Southampton Secret Ale. I love this beer, very drinkable. I always order it when I’m there)
IPA- Our version of the “West Coast Style” IPA, brewed with 5 varieties of Pacific Northwest hops for a distinctly American character.
(My favorite style beer at the moment and Southapmton’s doesn’t disappoint)
North Fork Fresh Hops Ale- Made with two types of locally grown hops and has a lightly citrus, smooth lingering finish
(Ewww, didn’t like the aftertaste… though others at my table liked it. It was a “light” IPA)
Saison Deluxe- Stunningly complex with tropical fruit overtones of pineapple and passion fruit. Imported malt and hops create a smooth, earthy flavor on the palate. A farmhouse·style ale, Saison Deluxe successfully combines traditional rustic flavor with a sophisticated craft-brewed taste.
(The Saison was my favorite of the night!)
Octoberfest Lager – Brewed with 4 types of imported German Maltsand Gennan hops for the most authentic flavor, is an amber colored malty beer of exceptional smoothness due to a cold fermentation and long aging period. At 6% alcohol it is slightly stronger than the average brew but does not taste like it’s that strong…so be careful!
(This was probably my second-favorite beer… and a showcase for the brewary. I will try and get a few growlers soon and invite people over to get drunk)
Pumpkin Ale· An unique amber-colored brew that has particular appeal during the autumn months. We use a generous amount of pumpkin as well as traditional “pumpkin pie” spices 10 give this unusual brew a definite seasonal character.
(The Pumpkin ale was freaking tremendously delicious, particularly due to the cheescake pairing)