Dogfish Head, Stone and Victory Saison du Buff - Ale brewed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (2012)
Brewed and Bottled by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Delaware.
12 fl. oz. / $3.49 USD / 6.8% ABV
About: "The idea for this beer germinated way back in 2003 when the three
guys (Sam from Dogfish, Greg from Stone and Bill from Victory) formed
the BUFF alliance (Brewers United for Freedom of Flavor) - a noble
endeavor with the goal to highlight the passion and camaraderie of the
American craft brew movement. Saison du BUFF was first brewed at Stone and then
replicated at each of the other two breweries - same recipe, same
ingredients, three different breweries throughout 2010 - and then again in 2012."
Thoughts: Poured a seriously hazy muted yellow with a slight amber shade and a one finger frothy whiter than white head. Carbonation bubbles are plentyful.
The scent is very zesty at first, like a mix of orange and lemon peel. The yeast in this one presents itself strongly. The herbs all blend very well into the mix here and aren't stand alone or overpowering to one another.
The taste on this one is very fresh and crisp. It's semi-sweet when it first hits the mouth, but a soft coating tingling of tang erupts after the swallow and it later followed by an unoffensive bitterness. There's an earthy wheat flavor to it that's doused with a moderate amount of Belgian tasting yeast. Everything here blends perfectly and comes off as a really enjoyable drinking experience. The last of the bottle gives way to a pleasant aftertaste with a hint of pine and a coating of spice inside the mouth.
Mouthfeel is sudsy. Little bit heavy. Slightly grainy and just a little bit sticky.
I've been recently drinking quite a few Farmhouse Ales and I've gotta say that I'm really digging this style of beer. This one tasted great from the first gulp to the last sip. I will be seeking out more of this style, and perhaps may pick up the Stone version of this that's been collecting a bit of dust at the store.
I was never a big Saison fan, but always liked Saison du Buff. I tried the DFH and Victory releases back in 2010, and I've had the DFH a couple of times this year. I really like this beer, though I can't say which batch is better, if any. The herbs are a nice touch and work really well with the style. I have a bottle in the fridge and one aging.
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