April 2008 Archives
I'd heard about Southampton's brews for some time, mostly from the period "Beers of the Times" feature in the New York Times. As a fitting preparation for my upcoming move to NYC, I recently managed to score a six-pack of the Double White Ale.
Characteristics: Pale cloudy yellow (when poured properly), full head that dissipates promptly into medium carbonation, medium to heavy body, with a mild yeasty flavor tempered by spices and hops and an orangey tail.
Minor Gripes: There's no warning that you need to swirl the end of the bottle when pouring (or that you should never drink straight from the bottle). Without the settled spices and yeast, the beer is thin and overly hoppy and dominated by alcohol. And when poured right, you'll never know that
Bottom Line: For those who like the Belgian-style witbiers, the Double White is a tasty addition to the tradition. It's certainly heavier than the old-school Celis / current Hoegaarden versions, but no less tasty.
Rating: 6 / 10
Characteristics: Pale cloudy yellow (when poured properly), full head that dissipates promptly into medium carbonation, medium to heavy body, with a mild yeasty flavor tempered by spices and hops and an orangey tail.
Minor Gripes: There's no warning that you need to swirl the end of the bottle when pouring (or that you should never drink straight from the bottle). Without the settled spices and yeast, the beer is thin and overly hoppy and dominated by alcohol. And when poured right, you'll never know that
Bottom Line: For those who like the Belgian-style witbiers, the Double White is a tasty addition to the tradition. It's certainly heavier than the old-school Celis / current Hoegaarden versions, but no less tasty.
Rating: 6 / 10
