Public houses date back to 17th century England, functioning as taverns where weary travelers sought refuge and sustenance along their journeys. Today’s American public houses are essentially pubs at which to socialize over a beer and all manner of bar fare. Many of these establishments are brew pubs, including one Long Island brewery whose success has reached the shelves of national beverage stores.
Southampton Publick House, the first and longest-running microbrewery on Long Island, was opened in 1996 by Manhattan restaurateur Donald Sullivan. The locale is a historic landmark, circa 1800s, that was once known as Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Speakeasy during the prohibition era, serving up ales to the likes of Clark Gable, Babe Ruth, Gary Cooper and Truman Capote. Selecting a brew master for Sullivan's venture required no deliberation. Enter Phil Markowski, who began homebrewing during the 1980s. By 1989, his beers had earned several awards, and Markowski earned the head brewer position at New England Brewing Company in Connecticut. Markowski’s devotion to excellence and harmonious melding of creativity with tradition made him the coveted choice to head the beer-conjuring operations. Sullivan’s brother came up with the name for brewery and restaurant as visions of passers-by coming in from the cold on a blustery day to warm up with comforting food and beer, the very definition of an old world British public house, danced in his head.
From 1996 to 2012, Markowski produced 85 different beers, many of which won numerous accolades at the Great American Beer Festivals. Four or five beers are available on tap at any given time, and an additional six to ten beers are available by the bottle. Markowski truly mastered the art of creating farmhouse ales and Belgian-style brews, including the alt and Double White variations. In 2012, Markowski moved on to open Two Roads Brewing Company in Connecticut. Taking the helm is Southampton Publick House’s assistant brewer of eight years during Markowski’s tenure, Evan Addario. Currently, Addario has seamlessly kept up the pace and the creativity, churning out 26 different beers each year, all of them crafted with equal devotion and excellence to those of his predecessor.
In 2004, the brewery began bottling its flagship Secret Ale, which is now called Southampton Altbier, in six-packs, which were distributed to various beverage stores in New York. By the following year, several Belgian-styles, including Abbot 12, Biere de Garde, Grand Cru and Saison, were distributed in 750-milliliter, corked bottles. As the craft beer revolution continued to explode, the response to bottled Southampton brews was astounding. By early 2007, their IPA and Double White beers joined the bottled lineup and distribution extended to include eight of the New England and mid-Atlantic states. In 2007, Southampton Ales and Lagers teamed up with Pabst Brewing, the third-largest beer company in the United States, to expand distribution to other regions of the country. To their credit, Pabst has not interfered with the creativity and production of Southampton’s beers, and the flavor and quality remains outstanding.
When visiting Southampton Publick House, you can opt to dine indoors or al fresco on a diverse menu of delectable delights, or you can take a seat at the bar and enjoy a seasonal sipper. Their Summer Blonde ale is a refreshing Abbey single ale that pairs well with those summer salads and seafood dishes. For those opting for a light beer with satisfying flavor, try the Montauk Light. If your summer calendar is filled up, their fall release of Pumpkin Ale will be something to look forward to. Sample the full array with a tasting flight, and you can always fill up a growler of your favorite selection and take home and enjoy.
Southampton Publick House is located at 40 Bowden Square in Southampton. To get directions, browse the menu or find out what’s on tap, visit www.southamptonbrewery.com
Southampton Publick House, the first and longest-running microbrewery on Long Island, was opened in 1996 by Manhattan restaurateur Donald Sullivan. The locale is a historic landmark, circa 1800s, that was once known as Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Speakeasy during the prohibition era, serving up ales to the likes of Clark Gable, Babe Ruth, Gary Cooper and Truman Capote. Selecting a brew master for Sullivan's venture required no deliberation. Enter Phil Markowski, who began homebrewing during the 1980s. By 1989, his beers had earned several awards, and Markowski earned the head brewer position at New England Brewing Company in Connecticut. Markowski’s devotion to excellence and harmonious melding of creativity with tradition made him the coveted choice to head the beer-conjuring operations. Sullivan’s brother came up with the name for brewery and restaurant as visions of passers-by coming in from the cold on a blustery day to warm up with comforting food and beer, the very definition of an old world British public house, danced in his head.
From 1996 to 2012, Markowski produced 85 different beers, many of which won numerous accolades at the Great American Beer Festivals. Four or five beers are available on tap at any given time, and an additional six to ten beers are available by the bottle. Markowski truly mastered the art of creating farmhouse ales and Belgian-style brews, including the alt and Double White variations. In 2012, Markowski moved on to open Two Roads Brewing Company in Connecticut. Taking the helm is Southampton Publick House’s assistant brewer of eight years during Markowski’s tenure, Evan Addario. Currently, Addario has seamlessly kept up the pace and the creativity, churning out 26 different beers each year, all of them crafted with equal devotion and excellence to those of his predecessor.
In 2004, the brewery began bottling its flagship Secret Ale, which is now called Southampton Altbier, in six-packs, which were distributed to various beverage stores in New York. By the following year, several Belgian-styles, including Abbot 12, Biere de Garde, Grand Cru and Saison, were distributed in 750-milliliter, corked bottles. As the craft beer revolution continued to explode, the response to bottled Southampton brews was astounding. By early 2007, their IPA and Double White beers joined the bottled lineup and distribution extended to include eight of the New England and mid-Atlantic states. In 2007, Southampton Ales and Lagers teamed up with Pabst Brewing, the third-largest beer company in the United States, to expand distribution to other regions of the country. To their credit, Pabst has not interfered with the creativity and production of Southampton’s beers, and the flavor and quality remains outstanding.
When visiting Southampton Publick House, you can opt to dine indoors or al fresco on a diverse menu of delectable delights, or you can take a seat at the bar and enjoy a seasonal sipper. Their Summer Blonde ale is a refreshing Abbey single ale that pairs well with those summer salads and seafood dishes. For those opting for a light beer with satisfying flavor, try the Montauk Light. If your summer calendar is filled up, their fall release of Pumpkin Ale will be something to look forward to. Sample the full array with a tasting flight, and you can always fill up a growler of your favorite selection and take home and enjoy.
Southampton Publick House is located at 40 Bowden Square in Southampton. To get directions, browse the menu or find out what’s on tap, visit www.southamptonbrewery.com