Dave's BrewFarm Topaz Single Hop Saison

Another visit to the BrewFarm, this past Sunday, just Jason and I. Hangin' with the regular bunch at the beer oasis. Received some good news, that I've waited to hear from him for some time: the brewery in the next room has been fired up and LaBrewatory beers are now finding their way into bars and restaurants. But then, there's the bad new: only in Wisconsin. He can't distribute into Minnesota until a lawsuit filed against him by the giant distributor that bought out the little distributor that he used to do business with has been settled. Sucks. Arrrggghh!

So, anyway, I took 2 growlers home, and here's the first, with notes taken last night:


Dave's BrewFarm Topaz Single Hop Saison. 6.4% ABV.

Hazed golden appearance, slim head, starts small but drifts down quickly.

Aroma: funky, fresh, floral, tart, wild, lightly citric, overpowered by yeast. Interesting complexity.

Drink it up:  a mess of yeast. sunny, citrus-y hop character. Light malt. Some banana notes emerge. They mix with some citric notes and a wicked kind of Beligan yeast funk. Ends definitively on the dry side. Grows increasingly tasty. Sweetness matches with some spice, overcome by yeast.

A terrific saison, although I couldn't pinpoint what the characteristics of the Topaz are that might set it apart. I enjoyed the drinking, though.