Yesterday afternoon, I received an invitation from The Alemonger to join him and the H.O.P.P.E.R.S. (Hop Opps Porch & Patio Entertainment & Recon Society) for a Saison du BUFF tasting. Since we were finally able to secure all three versions of this Stone/Dogfish Head/Victory collaboration brew, there was no way that I’d pass up the chance to try them side by side (refer to my review of the Dogfish Head version for the history of these beers). With three brewers recreating their own versions of the same recipe, we were eager to see how each of them turned out. Here are the results…
Similarities
- Well carbonated, with a quick to rise and quick to subside head.
- Clear golden color with translucent, rapidly rising bubbles.
- Crisp, herby, and citrusy palate thanks to the parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
- Clean, dry finish.
Differences
- Stone – Had the strongest herb aroma (basil in particular). The basil scent and palate left me with a sudden craving for a tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad. The most complex of the three. Classiest packaging.
- Dogfish Head – Mild herb aroma. A bit more of a citrus palate.
- Victory – The mildest of the three in both aroma and flavor. Perhaps drinking this one last was a mistake, since it didn’t leave as strong of an impression. I have another one in the fridge, so I should reevaluate and see how it is the second time around.
The Verdict
All three versions are very good, but if I had to pick a winner, I would go with the Stone, since it had the most going on. I give the Stone an A-, the Dogfish Head a B+, and the Victory a B.
Cheers!
Categories: Brew Review, Dogfish Head, Stone, Victory
AMKrouse
The Alemonger
G-LO
limpd
The Wookie
The ROK
Sarah -BeautifulTangibleThings
The Astounding Prism
It's just the booze dancing... 
Tomato reference in a review of an iconic collaboration brew?! Cheese?????!!!!!! What? Expecting Giada Delaurentis to take notice and subscribe?
And its “Hop Opps” not “Oppes” (though that e tumor is easier to ignore than the cheese & tomato malarky).
Focus…..Focus…….
LikeLike
Herr Alemonger,
The “e” has been removed.
As far as the tomato/mozzarella/basil reference, the nose knows what the nose knows. Give me a glass of beer with parsley/sag/rosemary/thyme aromas, and my olfactory goes haywire. I can’t explain it, I can only report it. And unless I am mistaken, I believe that I uttered those cheese encrusted, tomato filled words with 4 witnesses present. No? What can I say… I guess it was just the booze dancin! 🙂
Cent’anni!
G-LO
PS… I have a better chance of scoring The Barefoot Contessa as a blog subscriber. She makes some mean cuisine!
LikeLike
While I wasn’t present for the Stone du Buff, I can attest to G-Lo’s waxing poetic or at the very least waxing spicily regarding the Dogfish and Victory du Buffs. The Victory was a flavorful attempt but just not as good as the Dogfish.
LikeLike