Saison Du BUFF - Victory Brewing Company

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Lovely lemony gold with a powder puff-like crown of foam that is ivory in hue. The head (which resembles a wind-sculpted mesa as it melts) stays at its maximum thickness for several minutes due to a wealth of carbonation jumping off the bottom of the glass. A more than respectable amount of sudsy lace appears in the end.

The nose is as wonderful as in the other two versions. It's incredibly lemon zesty and the added herbs result in a superpowered saison-like quality that is pure pleasure to sniff. Good things await on the palate, there's no doubt about that.

Saison Du BUFF Victory-style is easily the equal of Saison Du BUFF Stone-style and Saison Du BUFF Dogfish Head-style. This is a rock-solid recipe that is a certified humdinger in the hands of talented craft brewers. Huge kudos to whoever came up with the idea and participated in the specifics.

Beautiful balance is what sets this farmhouse ale apart from many others. Some may find the herbaceousness over-the-top, but it really does complement the base beer very well. There's plenty of pale malt to provide a white bready and slightly sweet foundation for all of the glorious top notes. The lemon zestiness must be due to whatever hops were used.

Every one of the scores are the exact same for all three ales... including mouthfeel. This one is medium in heft, with a sparkling bubbliness that fits the flavor profile well. Looking for a perfect picnic beer? Here you go.

There was no doubt in my mind that Victory would do as well with Saison Du BUFF as DFH and Stone. All three are craft beer giants that deserve whatever accolades are thrown their way. Now, one of them (at least) needs to make this a year-round offering.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2011 12:13:47 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very nice and extremely hazy golden yellow color came through immediately. Lots of sediment in here now as well. Huge carbonation profile could be seen with lots of chains of bubbles cascading up to the top of the glass to reinforce the huge champagne like head that came over the top of it. Lots of side glass lacing and a copious foam that would not quit. Very nice aroma here, lots of light grain, hints of grass, light lemon and a touch of grape. Nice airy smell gave way to a very nice flavor. Very light, and perfect for this summer day. First way was a slightly tart fresh grass like flavor. Some hints of peaches, pears, and a touch of tartness as well. Very nice light cereal grain flavor in the middle which became a touch bready as it warmed. Long finish of dried out bitter earthy notes and a touch of light fruit. Slightly sour on the tongue after a few moments. Fantastic carbonation kept it feeling very light and refreshing and this bottle was no issue at all to finish off as the profile was light, low abv and a wonderful bit of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 02:42:04 | More by mikesgroove

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.35/5  rDev -39.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

12 ounce bottle - $2.99 at Hop City in Atlanta, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazed, dim-looking yellow body with a large, foaming, white head.

Smell: Curious mixture of various notes of herbs, weeds, leaves, etc. The aroma reminds me of a just-cut lawn when the yard is simply rife with wild onions and wild garlic. Instead of being inviting, it's a bit unappetizing, really. Let's press on!

Taste: Lightly toasty, lightly sweet maltiness for a fast second, then it becomes like angrily chewing through a meal of pungent, just-picked common garden weeds. Who ordered the poke salad topped with low-grade chimichurri? Upsettingly harsh, bitter herb flavor with a curious garlic taste, but not a good garlic taste, more like it was carelessly overcooked, leaving it bitter and nasty. I'm sitting here stunned, with the mood-setting Simon & Garfunkel song Scarborough Fair still playing on loop in the background. The idea for the beer is interesting, the final product is not. Sadly, a lesser work from three renowned breweries.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Drinkability: This conversation is over.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 14:13:14 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear golden color with a respectable head that leaves a fair bit of lacing

Smell: Very herbacious, with sage and rosemary with a bit of tart lemon

Taste: Opens with lemon, rosemary and sage flavors that accompany a bready malt backbone; grows increasingly lemony by mid-palate with all of the flavors melding nicely, into the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Very nicely done - would love to taste this and the Dogfish side by side

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 00:09:47 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Bottle: Poured a cloudy dirty beige color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of rustic malt with lingering sweetness and some sage and light rosemary notes. Taste is a great balance mix between some sage and rosemary mix in with some rustic malt with bready notes with light floral undertones and some lingering sweetness. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. I really enjoyed this beer and must admit that all three version were quite good.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 17:21:03 | More by Phyl21ca

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasted side by side with the other Saison du Buff beers, I found the Victory version to be the most flavorful and most balanced, but also the one with the least herbal character to it.

It poured a hazy, deep golden body beneath a short head of bright white foam that faded surprisingly quickly in comparison to the other two, and the lacing was limited as well (could have been a dirty glass). Noticeably, it also had the lowest carbonation level, which probably has something to do with it. On the upside, it was the clearest of the three, however, and I could at least see my fingers through the glass.

It offered the brightest and most welcoming aroma of all, delivering a splash of mineral and fruit (citrus, tangerine, apricot) over a sugary and vanilla drizzled Pilsener malt base. As it warmed the rosemary really began to pop, backed by thyme.

The taste really brought out the herbs, and they remained straight through the long lasting finish, but the fruit was there as well with with tangerine and apricot and the slightly tart note that goes along with it. The bitterness gently rose and then subsided, leaving the dryness of the herbs and the chalky yeast to balance it. Great finesse!

Of the three offerings, it had the most body, and the least carbonation, yet it still felt like it had a good mouthfeel. It was more Prima Pils than saison.

Regarding drinkability, I think it offers the most straightforward drinkability of the three, but perhaps not as much subtle complexity as the DFH and Stone versions (which is probably due to yeastiness). Personal choice, I'd choose the Victory version 3 out of 4 times over the others; and I could enjoy more than one of these in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 23:59:48 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -21%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served in a snifter at The Firkin.

Part II of the BUFF triple play. It pours a generally clear pale straw topped by a half-finger of white foam. The nose comprises light pasta sauce (a red one), garlic, Belgian yeast, and a more-than-healthy smattering of window-box herbs, mostly those four Simon and Garfunkel entries. The taste holds notes of wheat, horse blanket, the aforementioned herbs, Belgian yeast, greens, and a light kiss of citrus hops. The body is on the lighter side, with a light moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, I find this thing to be a miss. The herbs just don't do it for me. Without them, I think this could have been a pretty solid saison, but that point's moot now.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2010 18:23:17 | More by TMoney2591

WesWes

New York

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a hazy pale gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is awesome. It has a huge citrus scent that's big on hops and funk. It's quite spicy with some subtle earthy undertones. The taste is great as well. It has a light pale and wheat malt flavor that's easily quaffable. The hops add a good deal of bitterness and some kick ass citrus notes. The yeast compliments both and contributes some excellent funk to the beer. It goes down easy and finishes dry with a mild earthy character. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a tremendous beer. I never get tired of drinking these brewery collaborations.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 19:34:41 | More by WesWes

metter98

New York

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear golden yellow in color. It has a finger high white head and no visible carbonation in the form of rising bubbles.
S: There are moderate aromas of herbs in the nose. Smells of heather, lavender, rosemary and sage seem perceptible.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and somewhat more potent; however the herbal flavors are well balanced with the underlying malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate; there is some dryness in the finish.
D: The beer is somewhat easier to drink compared to the Stone and Dogfish Head versions. Any traces of alcohol are well hidden.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2010 09:08:25 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap 7/8/2012 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub, in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US pint glass.

A: The beer is a light yellowish gold color, with a short dense white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains spices, Belgian yeast, some wheat, light caramelized malts and some hops.

T: The taste starts out with a strong citrus sweetness that I did not pick up in the smell along with flavors of spices and bananas. Then some breadiness from wheat and Belgian yeast come in. The hops presence is strong for the style and the malt character is hearty but not too heavy creating a good balance.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style with an American flair to it, this is a very solid beer to drink for a long time if you’re in the mood for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

07-10-2012 01:41:16 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a nice perfectly clear looking gold color. The head was a little foamy looking and white. The lacing was a little on the sticky side leaving a touch of lacing on the glass. The smell is huge on this beer. Lots of herbal floral aromas in the brew. Very earthy and fresh smelling. The taste of the beer was crisp and floral too, loaded with a sharp bitter finish to it. The mouthfeel of the beer is very light and refreshing, sharp carbonation to it as well and finishes dry. Overall this beer is quite good, I would like to compare this with the other that were put out by Stone and DfH as well.

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2012 00:37:28 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

4.43/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, I loved Stone's version, let's try the Victory version,

A: Pours yellow with a mild white head, good retention, no real lace.

S: How can you not love this nose? As with the Stone, beautiful sage notes, forest, meadow, glorious. Almost seems to be a hint of heather in there, intoxicating.

T: Sage is immediate and full. A tad sweeter than I remember with Stone, tastes a lot like a tripel with the malt. Dries out and a really herbaceous parsley, grass like flavour comes out. Distinct 3 sections to this ale.

M: Nice full body, very smooth, but still has a crisp lightness.

D: This is a very similar of course to Stone's version, but there are slight differences, has a hint of that Victory house character. I'd love to taste them side by side, just a great recipe, hopefully Dogfish Head's version will make it around town.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 04:37:32 | More by Halcyondays

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appears pale golden slightly hazed hue with a bright white head and forms fine even lacing down the sides of my glass. Aroma full of fresh herbals alot of rosemary/citrus/grassiness. Malt base shines through with pale biscuit malt tones and spicy yeast characters. Flavors hit maybe too aggressive with with botanical/herb additions. Full on stem/leafy rosemary bitterness masks many aspects of a nice saison that could be here somewhere...I thought the Stone version was rough and the DFH a bit more palatable, but this one is unbalanced on it's own. Use as a marinade with some chicken breast or serve it with a nice meal, on it's own this is a bit much. I can't picture this flavor working in a regular offering, interesting experiment, but I've done enough sampling of these herb/spiced brews with these 3 interpretations. Mouthfeel dry in the finish with overkill herbaceous qualities, medium bodied decent carbonation. Drinkability overall I think I've said enough about my sentiments on the repeat drinkability, serve in small portions with herbally infused meats.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2010 03:07:25 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

What a nose! Pungent soapy thing going on there. Flavor is bursting over my tongue. Very full and boisterous. Probably a bit too much for some, but I can dig it. Very grassy and has that barnyard musty funk on it. Definitely a good brew. Nice to see a saison done right.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 01:45:29 | More by RblWthACoz

rhoadsrage

Illinois

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

(Served in a Nonic)
A- This beer pours a clear orangish-yellow body with a thin film of off-white foam that soon fades to a thick bubbly ring. There is a good carbonation of bubbles that support the head.
S- The rosemary and dry lemon zest blend with a yeasty cheese rind note. This is followed by a green dry herbal finish with some woody hop qualities and some more rosemary that really grows as the beer opens up. There is also a soft decaying leaves aroma that comes through in the finish as the beer warms.
T- This beer has a full but not offensive rosemary flavor with some bigger parsley flavor and a bit of a tart bite. The pale malt flavor gives way to a club soda flavor and a carbonic acid and dry pungent hop finish. There is some dry lemon zest that pops through as the beer warms and s a slight tang of green cinnamon hops in the finish.
M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a dry texture and a fizzy bite in the finish.
D- The herbs are nice and full but the rosemary and tartness get a bit too dry and strong as the beer opens up. The yeast takes on more of the qualities of a Tripel moreso than the other two Saison du Buffs.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2010 19:17:40 | More by rhoadsrage

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had the stone version of this on tap, just a sample so I didn't review, and it was OK, but nothing special. Hopefully this one is a little better.

A nice frothy head rises about a finger and fades slowly over brilliantly clear golden yellow wheat colored beer. A little too light perhaps.

The nose brings some interesting aromas, light wheat and malts, a slight saison and farmhouse dryness, light crisp aromas, light mild grassy hops, a little honey, and some spices. There is a very familiar spice in the nose that I can't pick out... rosemary! Tons of it. I think I get some coriander too. Plenty of rosemary, with other light spices, I think I even get a bit of heather.

The taste is spicy, lots of spices! Plenty of rosemary still, tons, with coriander, other spices, I still think heather, touch of cinnamon and pepper, and other spices. Some light wheat and malt flavors somewhere in there. A light bitterness, I think a touch of a mild grassy hops. Some light saison dry farmhouse characteristics, but not much. I think I get a touch of honey too. I light flower like taste too, perhaps the heather, or perhaps some chamomile. It finishes still pretty light, but lots of lingering spices and a little sticky honey feel, but still pretty dry on the finish.

THe mouth is lighter bodied with lower carbonation.

It has a mixed bag drinkability. It is a very light and crisp saison beer, mostly drinkable, but the spices run rampant and start to make it more of a mixed bag of drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 02:32:01 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

3.68/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 09/14/10 notes. Had on tap at FireWorks in Arlington, VA.

a - Pours a golden, very clear color with no carbonation and one inch of white head.

s - Smells of spices, piney and citrus hops, wheat, bready malts, and light fruit.

t - Tastes of spices, citrus, fruity malts, wheat. No funk.

m - Light to medium body and low carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

d - A pretty good saison that is heavy on spices and citrus hops. No real funk to it. About on par with the Stone version, would give another shot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2010 15:01:31 | More by mdfb79

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazy, pale golden yellowish orange colorwith golden yellow hues when held to a light source. Very thin fizzy white head that immediately fades into a thin lasting ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

Spicy and floral perfumy aroma with hnts of peppery zest, alcohol and crisp light fruit character. Hints of apple and pear along with the peppery lemon zest notes alng with some other earthy spice notes.

Fuller bodied than expected with a thick, slightly oily mouthfeel. Slightly bitter up front with an earthy hop presence that compliments the prominent peppery spice flavor. Hints of clove and pepper along with some earthy spice character. There is also a strong flavor of sweet alcohol that isn't quite balanced enough by the yeasty light fruit notes. It's not really hot but very sweet. Some light fruit flavor like apple and peach but overall this beer isn't very well balanced. A bit to heavy on the alcohol and spice flavors but still decently quaffable. I'm interested to try the other variations to see how they stack up.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2010 02:56:40 | More by corby112

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

1.35/5  rDev -65%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

I had the DFH version of this in a bottle last year, so I thought it would be interesting to try Victory's version. I like Victory a lot, and I liked the DFH version of this beer. That said, I'll now say this: whew...this has gotta be one of the worst beers I've had since I entered the craft beer scene. I don't know if it was a bad keg or what, but something was clearly off here.

Served in a tulip glass, crystal clear golden color with a thin white head that dissipated almost entirely. Nose loaded with spices and stale funk, minor fruity esters. I kind of recoiled instantly, but I decided to go back for a taste anyway. Taste of bland malts and sundried tomatoes, overripe fruit, raw mint leaves, way, way too much rosemary on top of the other spices (I don't mind spices in beer, but the amount used here was literally sickening), phenols, grassy funk. I gagged half of this down before pushing it aside. Mouthfeel is chewy, medium body, very off-balanced, with a really stale, vegetal feel all over.

Rarely do I find a beer that I seriously cannot choke down, but this is one of those. I will definitely stay far away from this one in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 12:19:30 | More by Rifugium

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Brewed at Victory in co-operation with Stone and Dogfishhead.

A: Pale straw pour appears brassy yellow in the glass. Fizzy, slightly soapy head disappoints and dissipates rather quickly before getting a good visual sense. The lacing is equally disappointing leaving the glass squeaky clean. Visible carbonation was light and lazy on the rise, laid back and lackluster would be other words to describe.

S: The nose was average as with the visual appear, disappointing, weak with a pale showing of lemony peels and some soft solvent notes. Not much else to be had here.

T: Sweet grains meets a kiss of lemons and a spicy hopping. Warm pineapple slices, pine and a touch of grapefruit-grass are also supporting factors. The malt base is light, composed mostly of pale grains with little speciality influence. There is a distinct yeasty character of grain feed coming about while the finish finds a brief candy sweetness followed by a wet lemony hopping and spicing that reminds me a bit of sorachi hops. Decent but stops a tad short of being good.

M: Light bodied the texture is a bit watery finding a spicy dry lemon fade upon the swallow.

D: Not something I would drink often or in multiples. Probably the weaker of the three interpretations. Worthy of a single purchase, a six pack would find its way sitting around for a while.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 22:18:29 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Faintly hazed gold with a fluffy, bright white cap. Good head retention and a little bit of clumpy lacing. Fruity aroma, lemons and grapefruit, unripe pineapple, peppery and spicy, slightly bready. Smells great. The flavour was a little less forceful than the aroma, but still had a nice lemony, spicy character. Crackery malts, tropical fruit, lingering bitterness, hint of alcohol. Medium bodied with medium-high carbonation, mild warmth, nice texture. Refreshing and quite tasty. This is making me want to pick up (or brew) some farmhouse ales soon!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 18:57:45 | More by DrJay

Brad007

Vermont

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a light gold color with a one-finger head into my glass. Looks kind of sterile for the style.

Lots of citrusy hop goodness to greet my nose. There's barely a hint of spice from the yeast present.

The hops dominate the palate upfront with a decent grassy, citrus feel to them. No surprises here. Just a hint of spice from the yeast.

Mouthfeel is full of lingering grassy/citrus flavors. They leave a good indentation in the mouth.

It's definitely an americanized saison and if you've had Stone's version of this collaboration beer, you might expect the same. I like Victory's twist on it and I would love to have it from the tap.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2010 02:07:00 | More by Brad007

mactrail

California

3.08/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Quite lovely in the Mort Subite globe. Golden color with a light foamy cap. Quite spritzy in the mouth. Smells like boiled greens, but as you sip the nose is pleasantly flowery and herbal. Light body.

Fairly malty but quite sharp. Rather bitter. It has a taste like one of those cocktail mixing bitters. Tart, bitter, and herbal sums it up. The thyme seems to stand out, unfortunately. Resiny along with the big yeasty bitter flavor. Not especially drinkable, though it's interesting if you like to try bizarre flavors in your beer.

I am not on board with the stew of herbal flavors. In fact I don't believe that any single one of them would be a great addition to beer. Well, the Craftsman Triple White Sage was interesting, but that was still too much of a good thing. From the 12 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 05:50:14 | More by mactrail

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Malty aroma has a VERY strong overtone of rosemary. Yes, definitely rosemary. It pours a clear solar yellow with a thick and fluffy white head that hangs around for a little. Not inspiring, but this is a saison and I am a stoutie. Flavor has a malty core and - whoa Nellie, that rosemary flavor hits the taste buds like a Hummer! It has some grassy, woody and hoppy undertones and a fair amount of bitterness. Definitely a sipping beer. Flavor has good body and plenty of tingle and sass. I love these collaboration beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 03:07:07 | More by Cyberkedi

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clean pale yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, dry sage and other spices with a small hint of yeastiness. In the taste, dry spice and yeast, sage stands out. A spice bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry yeasty and spice like aftertaste. Looks like a pilsner, but I think I like this one the best of the three.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2010 18:40:57 | More by OWSLEY069