Beer 103 Southampton Pumpkin Ale and Beer 104 Blue Point Rastafa
It is time to get back on the beer blog trail. I will be doing some catch up postings in October, so buckle up your beer helmet with the two cups on top, and get ready for some new beers to consider sampling. We are on the brink of the holiday season, and I do not want any of my beer loving friends under informed as to what would be a good choice for an office party or social gathering.
With so many beers in my “note book of samples”, I am going to try to blog about some that I have particularly enjoyed recently. There have been some less than tasty brews in the mix, so if you don’t find a review here, ask me before you buy. This is not to say that if its not here, its not good. It is quite possible that I have tried it, and just haven’t gotten to the review. If I haven’t tried it, chances are, I may know someone that someone has.
Beer 103: Southampton Pumpkin Ale. Jackpot! This definitely is very a tasty beer. I was going to review it as part of a Halloween Pumpkin Ale series. I have enjoyed the Shipyard Pumpkin Ale previously, as well as tried a few others in the past year. What separates this fine ale from the others, is that it also fits the profile of the ever elusive Christmas Ale I have been searching for since I moved to Florida in 2004.
When I bought this beer I had high hopes. I have enjoyed other Southampton products, and I am happy to say that this brew held up to the high standards of the others. When I opened the bottle, there was a fine pumpkin aroma, as well as an “allspice” like scent. Weighing in at 5.5% alcohol, this pumpkin infused ale is very flavorful. It is highly drinkable, and has a smooth finish. This is a seasonal beer, so if you want to try it, you will need to do it soon. I found it at 2 places, Dunderbacks at the Volusia Mall, and Andy’s Liquor Store. Click Here to visit the Southampton Website.
Beer 104 Bluepoint Rastafa Ale: This one will knock your socks off! When I first tried this at Boomerangs, I was not sure that it was going to be a good choice. I had tried a couple of other rye beers, with mixed results. In truth, I ordered it as it was to my best estimation, the only beer that they had which I had not tried previously. This is no knock on our local after work meeting spot, as they have over 90 beers according the bar manager Jeff.
When I recieved my pint glass, I gave it my usual unscientific sniff test. You could “scents” it was going to be different. Still unsure, I was hoping that different was going to be good. This Rasta beer has a kick at 7.5% alcohol, and a grainy rye hoppiness, that is sure to catch your attention from the very first sip. It would be interesting if there was a version to try that was more rye than hoppy, as the rye beers I have tried are decidedly hop infused. This is not an every day brew, and is one that you may have one or two, and then change to something else.
I would recommend asking for a sample of it as many taverns will give you a small “taste” if you ask. They want happy customers, and nothing is worse than to stand behind the bar watching your customers make bitter beer faces. If you like the sample, you will order it, and probably leave a decent tip, creating a win-win situation for all involved. Bar owners and managers need honest feedback in order to properly stock their shelves with beers that bring people back. It is worth sampling, so that you can have the Rasta experience.
The Southampton Pumpkin Ale ranges from $9.99-$11.99 for a 6 pack, and the Rasta Rye can range from $3-$5 depending on the tavern and the happy hour availability.
