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| - I planned to attand an event in Scottsdale at 6, but the problem is I get off work at 3. What to do to kill time? I wanted to find a nearby bar or restaurant to spend a couple of hours. Taste of Tops was recommended me, and having never been there I sought advice from the Yelp Mobile Duke of the Taste of Tops. George L. recommended that I partake in the Stone Saison du Buff that Tops currently has on tap.
Saison du BUFF is a joint venture between Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Stone Brewing Co., and Victory Brewing. The BUFF comes from the acronym Brewers United for Freedom of Flavor - a organization the three brewers formed in 2003, and apparently to press release information saw a last meeting held also in 2003. Freedom of Flavor was definitely achieved with this product. A 6% alchohol per volume craft beer brewed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. A pale beer with great flavor and nice finish.
The bar was empty (except for me and the bartender). Heavy traffic typically picks up after 8 during the weekdays and is busy on the weekends. Being there alone had its advantages - when the Dominos pizza guy dropped by and said someone cancelled their order and asked if they wanted the pizzas, who got a free slice of pepperoni? This guy! When the wine guy came by to peddle a couple of bottles of Spanish wine and a rather nasty bottle from Chile, who had a free impromtu wine tasting? This guy! To top the evening off I had a sample of mead. The sample was very sweet with a honey flavor and was excellent - I don't know if they ran out, but when I ordered a glass, I received a more hoppy variety. The bartender indicated it was one of her favorites and a new drinking partner arriving to the bar indicated he liked it as well. I found the flavor to be more of a mixture of ass and mead. Not my favorite!
All in all, an excellent afternoon with a rare limited release craft beer, some free pizza and tasty mead. Thanks George for the recommendation!
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