Southampton Grand Cru
Getting this cork out was no mean feat. I had to take two separate breaks to catch my breath before finally getting it out. 2005 edition Pours out a deep coppery orange with a medium-sized head of foamy, quickly-bursting bubbles before giving way to little retained head but some nice lacing. Smell is fruity orange, pineapple, mango, alcohol, yeast, and a bit of sourness. Lovely! Taste is explosive with the same fruits, but also a strong underlying spiciness that really keeps it from becoming too fruity. Finish is all fruity hops and alcohol, but its perfectly-medium body complements it nicely. There is a nice maltiness throughout, but it never becomes too sweet or over the top. The flavor is in such perfect balance that it feels like any adjustment in any direction would completely destroy the flavor. Drinkability is downright lethally good at this ABV. Overall: Wow. This is my first "real" Southampton brew outside of the contract-brewed new bombers, and it's easy to see what the hype is all about. This is just an incredible beer that hits on every level. Damn near perfect.