Southampton Cuvèe des Fleurs

There’s nothing quite like a beer that smells more like a greenhouse than a brewery. Southampton’s Cuvèe des Fleurs, which roughly translates to “batch of the flowers,” is an undoubtedly unique take on the saison.

Though it’s current incarnation has only existed since 1996, the Southampton Publick House has a history in the beer world dating back to the 1800s. After being born as a brewery in the 19th century, the pub was a legitimate restaurant (and, in the back, an illegitimate speakeasy) during Prohibition. Don Sullivan bought the historic spot in the 90s, and has been growing the craft brewery since.

Southampton puts out a handful of seasonals, along with a solid year-round stable consisting of an IPA, Alt and Witbier. Where brewmaster Phil Markowski really shines, however, is the 750 Series. A series of complex, flavorful brews in corked 750ml bottles, the four beers have netted Southampton a number of silver and gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.

My pick from the series for this evening? The Southampton Cuvèe des Fleurs, a saison brewed with flowers and rose water. Here’s the description of the brew from the brewery;

Cuvèe des Fleurs is a unique brew of our own imagination. We flavor this distinguished ale with a variety of flowers, including L. augustifolia, A. nobilis, C. officinalis and a generous amount of H. lupulus.

Pours a rusty orange in the tulip glass, with a touch of haze but no real cloudiness. A fluffy, inches-thick white head tops the saison, and a steady stream of bubbles shoots up the center of the glass. The flowers used in the brew - lavender, chamomile, marigold, and H. lupulus (hops, for the layman) - come though strong in the nose, giving a whiff of a spring bouquet. There’s a definite peppery edge as well, a hallmark for the style.

While the flowers are in the spotlight on the nose, they’re just supporting players in the taste. Pepper and coriander spiciness dominate the flavor, at least at first blush. Honey and sweet pale malt round things out, and the Belgian yeast gives a bit of a funky tang in the finish. It’s not quite as creamy as a nitro draft, but the active carbonation makes for a very smooth saison.

Like Southampton’s other “big” beers, the Cuvèe des Fleurs hides it’s alcohol very well. The style’s a bit on the summery side for a January blizzard, but 750ml is enough to warm the coldest night.

Tags: Beer, Beer Reviews, Cuvèe des Fleurs, Saison, Southampton