Victory
Saison du BUFF
Review Date
When I spotted a bottle of Victory Saison du Buff at the local Sherlock's
liquor store, it seemed rather odd indeed. That's because it sat there looking
rather lonely all by itself, a single 12-ounce bottle, last of its kind on the
shelf. Feeling bad for it, I quickly placed it into my shopping cart so that it
might have company with all the other beers I was buying (though I must say that
the Avery The Czar was a bit rude to it). Anyway, apparently
Victory Saison du Buff is intended to spend its short life single, or at least
be sold as one. But lest you think this beer is totally devoid of any familial
relations, weep not too soon, for the beer is a triplet, and has siblings made
by two other breweries. That's because Victory Saison du Buff is a collaborative
effort, with different batches and bottlings (but using the same recipe) brewed
by Victory, Stone, and Dogfish Head. When you bring three of the brewing world's
powerhouses together, you just know you're in for a treat.
This is obviously a
saison style ale, with an alcohol content of 6.8% by volume. Saisons are beers
meant to be aged a bit (or 'seasoned") and are often spiced. My bottle had
several months on it when I drank it, and if you stumble on some don't be afraid
to buy it. The spices and alcohol will act as a preservative. Victory Saison du
Buff pours to a golden straw color with a thick creamy head formation and a
spicy herbal lemon nose. The palate is firm, a little biscuity from the malt
with a cracker-like wheat quality for good measure. All this lies beneath an
explosive layer of spice: citrusy lemongrass, pungent rosemary, herbal sage,
black pepper, and hops that explode with grassy minty aroma and an intense
bitterness in the finish. Victory Saison du Buff
may be light in color, but it's definitely not short on flavor. The spicy citrus
and herb flavors make it intensely refreshing, and I can imagine it pairing
wonderfully with fish or poultry. It would be
interesting to compare the three versions side by side. Still, whatever version
you find, don't miss it, if you can find it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
Also From This Brewery
The plan was for
Saison du Buff (and by the way, the BUFF stands for "Brewers United for Freedom
of Flavor") to be brewed to the same recipe three times, once each at Victory,
Stone, and Dogfish Head at scattered times throughout 2010. The rumors were
rampant about this legendary collaborative effort, with Stone's version to hit
stores in April, Victory's in July, and Dogfish Head's brew in August.I've only
come across the Victory version myself. The beer is spiced with parsley, sage,
rosemary and thyme, with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel.
