Saison Du BUFF - Dogfish Head Brewery

gpogo

California

4.38/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Light golden body slightly hazed with a bit of yeast particulate. Hge white head and a nice stream of carbonation bubbles.

A- Spiciness, ginger? Yeasty spicy aroma. Lemon funk.

T- Wow. Sage flavor, less ginger than I smelled. Very similar to the aroma. Herbal flavors. Light pale malt flavor. Finishes a bit bitter on the tongue, with a light funk, and pepper.

M- Smooth medium body. Very refreshing carbonation.

D- Not what I expected at all, better! The aroma and flavor are so complex, but incredibly refreshing. I just hope I can hunt down another bottle. This is the first beer to really excite me in a while.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 02:34:08 | More by gpogo

Braz

Washington

3.6/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Purchased at Tacoma Boys. Appearance is a hazy cloudy gold. White head that did not sustain very well. Aromatics are sweet and herby with hints of rosemary and sage. Flavors are also herby and slightly medicinal. Savory with a sort of savory vegetable aftertaste. Body is very smooth, drinkable and has a nice crispness. Overall this is good, different and quite herby for a saison but I appreciate the unique qualities.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 22:56:55 | More by Braz

scootny

New York

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A turgid golden amber that gives a nice head and has good retention. Lacing is quite nice, and the beer remains covered all the way down. The aroma has a sweet pale malt body and light notes of the herbs used, not as big as the Stone version. A whisper of alcohol and not much funk. Taste is sugar biscuit malty with the herb blend and hops melding into a lovely complex counter to the sweetness of the malt. There is a white grape fruitiness that is great. An alcohol edge flows into the hops and herbs with a touch of mint. Finish is mild and dry with an herbal flavor that leave the blend lightly lingering. Feel is velvety smooth with a lightly creamy carbonation. Easy drinking and just light enough to quaff a little too fast. A nice one and while similar to the Stone version I find this one to be a touch more subtle in its herbs and maybe a touch more alcoholic.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 04:49:30 | More by scootny

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a golden yellow color with a thin white head on top. The retention and lacing were very minimal. The smell of the beer is herbal, the aromas that come off of it the most of probably the sage, thyme and rosemary. The taste has the same herbal elements that the smell does but it doesn't last as long. The flavors kind of die off in this one in the finish. The mouthfeel of the beer is light bodied with a good amount of carbonation. Overall it's a good brew, I feel the Victory version was a lot more flavorful. I would like to get the Stone version to try that sometime. Regardless it's a decent beer and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 05:56:40 | More by Knapp85

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a wine glass at cellar temperature.

L – Deep gold color with a 1.5-finger bubbly white head. Decent retention but not really much lacing. Clear with lots of bubbles.

S – Bready, grainy malt with some lemongrass and a healthy dose of other herbs. From the bottle, I get mostly parsley and sage.

T – Follows the nose nicely. It starts off sweet with bready and grainy malt and steadily shifts toward spicy and dry herbal flavors. Lemon and grassy slightly bitter hops come through at the finish along with a bit of peppery yeast. The herbs aren’t as distinct as they were in the aroma.

F – Light-to-medium-bodied with good carbonation, a fresh and crisp mouthfeel, and a dry and spicy finish.

O – This is a pretty good beer. It’s pretty much what you would expect from the bottle – an herb-forward saison. I wish it had some of the funk that I like to find in beers of this style, but it’s still a pretty tasty and drinkable beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 02:05:50 | More by BlackBelt5112203

Murrhey

Montana

3.58/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Reviewed live.

A- Three finger fluffy white head. Spotty, thin lacing. Golden color with high clarity. Nice carbonation.

S- Spices and herbs. Inviting, if not very beer-like. I don't know if I get all the parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Still tasty smelling.

T- Spicy and tangy. Weird brew. Not bad. Bitter aftertaste.

M- Smooth and medium bodied. Slightly viscous.

O- Spicy and tangy beer. Weird. Not bad at all though.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 05:16:25 | More by Murrhey

LeRose

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I really enjoyed this beer, but can see it being another love/hate offering from DFH. Just enough bitterness, the herbals are detectable but not overpowering, hard to pick out as individual herbs. More of an overall "green" flavor if I didn't read the label. Very nice lemon character, some yeasty flavor. Very nicely sour on the finish, cleans up the palate. Some floral notes that I can't quite identify. Pleasant to drink, so picked up a few extras...

Reviewed from notes.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 18:55:03 | More by LeRose

Phelps

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed during the blind beers BIF, this was bottle was sent by Cuzco and wrapped up so I couldn't tell what it was. Poured into a tulip.

Cloudy apricot in color, with one inch of foamy, off-white head. Nice horizontal strings of lace.

An incredible nose, like a tea bag full of spices. Pear, coriander, white pepper, crackers, lemongrass. I can't move on to the flavor because I keep taking whiffs.

In the flavor, the spices aren't as bright and the malt is more pronounced. Lots of honey, crackers, ginger, coriander, rose petals, pear syrup. Sweet and complex.

Pillow-soft, whipped body is activated by just a tiny tingle of carbonation. Crisp.

This is glorious. A beautiful blend of spices. Bright, floral, crisp.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 03:49:55 | More by Phelps

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Light coloured with some retained head, and leaving a lace trail. Aroma is very good, the sage leads the nose, and there is White pepper and a blend of other spices and nices. Medium mouthfeel, its a palate tingler, but it goes down well, leading to...good drinkability. A new age saison, I may have liked this version the best.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 03:44:46 | More by northyorksammy

RWLawman

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Very light gold in color. You are able to see right through it. Generous head initially, which dissipates a little, but retains pretty well for the most part.

S - Strong presence of citrus and herbs, with a little bit of a metallic odor as well.

T - I'm reminded of Torpedo IPA by Sierra Nevada briefly as I drink this beer. Obviously, this is not an IPA, but there is a heavy taste of citrus and a noticeable burn on the back as well. I can also taste some grain hiding in there somewhere in the middle.

M - Moderately thin mouth feel, but I would not consider it watery by any stretch. The mouth feel leaves you wanting more, so it is effective.

O - Pretty tasty beer, but probably not the style I'd look for in the future. It was good for a change in pace from the usual, but not all that memorable for me style-wise.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:50:15 | More by RWLawman

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a two finger white head that fades very slowly leaving a good lace. Almost clear amber color. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Savory nose and flavor follows - sweet and savory, not a fan of saisons but this is one of the best. $3.50 for a 12oz bottle from Tully's Beer and Wine Wells, ME.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 22:42:11 | More by jdhilt

buschbeer

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle
Served in a pint glass

A - It is golden amber with gold highlights. An inch of off white head was perched on top.

S - It smells like floral potpourri. It is actually quite pleasant. The spices come through nicely.

T - I am pleasantly surprised by the flavors. I get lots of floral and spice tastes. The usual saison flavors are masked by the spices.

M - Moderate with biting carbonation.

O - This is a unique experience. The closest I can compare it to is Rosee D'hibiscus. I would call it more of a herb beer, since that is the dominant flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 19:36:41 | More by buschbeer

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a cloudy dirty beige color ale with a good foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of spices including spices with solid rustic malt backbone and some nice fruity floral ester. Taste is a great complex mix between some rustic malt with some great notes of sage with nice floral undertones. Thyme and parsley are harder to detect then the other ingredient. Body is full with good carbonation. Solid offering that I would love to have regular access to.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 17:23:17 | More by Phyl21ca

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355ml bottle poured into tulip 9/10/12 cheers liamt07 of sending me the bottle

A pale golden yellow with lots of tiny bubbles popping up from everywhere, thumbs width of foam sits for a minuet leaving some random lace

S ginger and pizza spice, throw some tomato paste in here and were laughing, some citrus and farmhouse yeast, I don't get the spices listed on the label on their own but they all mesh together and somehow it works, when I think about it WTF dose Sage smell like?

T lemon rind and bubblegum on top of what I smell, a little booze and the nose had more going on and the flavor takes a small step back

M light bodied with the pinprick bubbles working well, not quite creamy but lively and a little slick on the finish with a strange aftertaste of herbs and farmhouse yeast, just a faint burn

O I didn't want to like this beer but it kinda grows on ya, strange concept but it sorta works. its different and I always like something different

perhaps this just reminds me of Mama Mia Pizza Beer, interesting concept and I can't remember why I recognize parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme in that sequence, song lyrics?

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 05:23:53 | More by wordemupg

dananabanana

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Hazy, straw gold. One-finger head, bright white.

S: I can smell the herbs in this from clear across the room! Big wheat scent mixed with the herbal scents. I'm not that great at picking out the individual scents, but I think the rosemary dominates. There is a clean note as well, maybe that's the parsley.

T: The flavor is too intense at first sip. My tastebuds go crazy and I really don't know what to make if it. I adjust after a few more sips. Citrusy, maybe lemon. Again, I'm having a hard time comparing the parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. However, there is a definite herbal flavor.

M: Highly carbonated. However, it begins to dull after awhile.

O: Interesting to try, pretty good even, but I wouldn't buy it again Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the other two, but I'll keep looking.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 22:27:11 | More by dananabanana

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the trio of Saison du Buff's brewed. This one ranks in the middle for me but still an excellent brew. Pour is golden yellow with a slight cloudiness to it. Good head and lacing on the glass. Smells is of spices and other citrus fruits. Taste is heavy spice - a good saison and the strongest of the 3 in the spice category. Hops are very floral. Specific malt is harder to detect. Excellent brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 23:02:42 | More by Oakenator

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - pours a hazy gold color into a dogfish snifter. Over two fingers of thick bubbly white foam which slowly dissipates leaving gobs of lacing on the glass.

S - delectable aroma. Strong aroma of an Italian herbal blend. Notes of white flour crackers and lemon zest give the nose a round and full presence.

T - light crackery malt flavor with just a hint of doughy bread. Strong herbal notes enter along with a brisk lemony acidity. Lots of sage and thyme and surprisingly a touch of thai basil. Some light notes of orange pulp in the background as well of some hop character in the way back. Long finish with a lingering lemon flavor.

M - medium near full bodied. Creamy texture. Medium carb.

O - i am a sucker for herbs. The smell is just awesome. It makes me think of pizza and sunday gravy etc. but alone the flavors are strong and a bit too much. This is a great food beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 03:58:51 | More by Teleweizen2

MCDuhamel

Ohio

3.28/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a chalice at cool temp. Golden/pale amber, very little head, a few bubbles lazily drifting up. Fairly clear. The nose is vegetal and floral, and quite pronounced. The flavor shows typical saison notes (a little bit of sulphur, grainy malt) and a leafy, hay-like quality. The finish is quite dry. There is more carbonation prickliness than seems likely from the pour. Light-bodied, despite a reasonably high alcohol content. A very interesting experimental beer of the "garden" saison type. I'd drink it again, but one at a sitting seems about right.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 22:46:03 | More by MCDuhamel

TBoneJones

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Small head over a light yellow, slightly hazy body with fast bubbles.
Smells nice and spicy, tangy, subdued funk. Reminds me of an antique outlet, maybe weathered indoor upholstery.
Tastes crisp with a unique bitter aftertaste. Rosemary really stands out here.
Interesting, even with the blatant rosemary it gave me the impression of being like a cucumber herbal/medicinal aftertaste. Even though I like this for its unique flavor, I'm not sure it would be in regular rotation for me if it were available in my state. But I would try it again as it's a solid collaboration brew; in a way it made me think of the cucumber saison by Cigar City. And that's refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 18:36:23 | More by TBoneJones

Maxwell

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a hazy yellow-orange-gold with a light soap bubble head that dissipates quickly and leaves little clouds of lacing on the sides. This is another dehydrated piss-looking beer, and it has some lovely carbonation seen through its murky interior. The beer smells richly biscuity with some lovely subtle spice notes which must surely be parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. The spices give the nose a slightly minty cool feel, and there is some wet citrus floating at the edges of the smell, which suggest oranges and lemon. The beer tastes surprisingly bananay with the esters, and biscuity with strong citrus undertones. The spice is much softer in the taste, leaving a hint of mint in the aftertaste mixing with the bread and banana esters to suggest a wheat malt backing. Mouthfeel is superbly clean and refreshing, making this an excellent summer beer. The mouth is only barely kissed with saliva after the beer passes, and is ringing with a slight spicy burn that helps to beg for more beer. Carbonation is bubbly and frothy in the mouth which helps the flavoring feel fresh in quick and the mouth, and probably washes away some of the more brutal bite from the spices. This beer reminds me more of a spicy wit than a saison but that isn’t a bad thing. Overall it is a fantastic summer sipper and a lovely collaboration by Dogfish Head, Stone, and Victory. If I can find the other two I will definitely try them, but I’d say Dogfish Head has done this beer well to their company’s name. It is a quirky saison that is more of a wit and definitely worth a sip.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 22:48:03 | More by Maxwell

Blackwolf

4.53/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 oz Bottle into a tulip.

A- Rich golden color. There was a lot of head on this saison but it settled quickly. The lacing wasn't to sticky but good none the less.

S- Wow! The aroma of this beer is deep in herbal spice and everything nice. Sage and a lavendery thyme intoxication fills your head when you take a deep whiff, the rosemary isn't subtle but not overpowering. Smelling this beer is the next best thing to smelling a bouquet of some wild flowers. A piney hop tickle and a splash of citrus is also evident.

T- Malts hit ya quickly, bittersweet citrus and a very herbal backbone. It has a very balanced hop blend that is playful with all the herbs and spices. There was a piney smell, but a grassy taste to these hops, the finish is great though, and the taste sticks around just long enough. Tasty.

MF- Light body and smooth. Just enough carbonation in it (medium to medium-heavy), and it gets kinda dry at the finish. It's a refreshing and interesting feel.

O- Two words: "Almost Perfect." This is a great Saison/Farmhouse. Not anything more needs to be said. This made it into my top 5 collab beers, and I still have two other versions to try still (Stone, Victory). You can't be disappointed with this ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 07:16:32 | More by Blackwolf

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from CJ's Potsdam NY for 4$

Appearance – Hazy amber colour with an average size fizzy off-white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for around 3-4 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Grains/wheat, rosemary/sage/coriander

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation. I can taste grains/bread mixed with rosemary/coriander/sage and some light citrus. There is also a bit of yeast flavour and some tea notes. It ends with a slightly bitter herbal aftertaste.

Overall – Not something I'd reach for very often, but an interesting tasting beer. Lots of herbal/spicy notes going on.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 00:03:23 | More by spinrsx

PhantasIPA

Delaware

3.98/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The appearance of this beer is a light golden color with moderate cloudiness. There is minimal head when poured in a glass and moderate lacing as you drink.

The smell is a powerful combination of herbs and pine, followed by a hint of citrus.

The taste is really nice! Not just your standard pine flavor but a combination of herbs (rosemary, basil, pine) with a nice sweet citrus finish that tastes like pineapple.

Mouthfeel is very smooth. There is a noticeable carbonation but it doesn't "scratch" your throat. The taste lingers very well on the tongue.

Overall this is a unique and quality beer, worth a try or a 6-pack if you're bored...

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 23:29:37 | More by PhantasIPA

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted 23 July 2012, reviewed from notes.

Pours very clear golden yellow, apple-juice color. Tons of visible carbonation. Two-finger head with great lacing and good retention.

Smell is quite herby, with a big burst of characteristic saison yeast aromas. Flowery and nectary, too. Lovely.

Taste is quite earthy, with no spice and very little yeast flavor. Tons of sage, with some other herbs thrown in. Herbs galore.

Mouthfeel is good: medium-light body, lots of carbonation.

A nice saison, in the upper-middle tier of those that I've had. Very herby, and especially sagey, which isn't surprising, given the additions. But it has the soul of a saison.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 22:49:07 | More by zeledonia

kagent777

Utah

3.8/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this one up while visiting some friends in Beverly, Mass at Bogey's. (great shop!) I poured this into my beer goblet after 20 minutes out of the fridge.

Appearance: Slightly hazy light golden beer with a massive white head that leaves great lacing. Very inviting beer.

Smell: Open the bottle and I get yeast phenolics instantly. Huge clove smell along with sage and rosemary. I am not sure about the parsley and thyme. A biscuity type of malt smell is noticeable, too.

Taste: Malts up front, followed by sage and the other spices with a bit of clove. I pick of a bit of lemon zest, maybe from the hops? Interesting and well done, but not something I would want to drink every day. I am sure this would go great with some food, but I am not sure what, maybe Italian.

Mouthfeel: No issues here the body is light to medium with a fairly strong carbonation. The finish is fairly long and dry.

Overall: Paid 3 for this bottle, very interesting beer with unique tastes. Wonder how different the other versions are.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 03:42:24 | More by kagent777