Top of the Hill Swim Test Saison

on tap-pours a Petri dish off white head that laces and yellow/gold color. Aroma is clove, spice-pepper, yeast, wheat-some sweet. Taste is clove, over-spiced, yeast, sweet light/medium malt, wheat. Sipping. OK effervescence.

Tap. The only beer on there tap list at the time taking advantage of NC popping-the-cap. Pours a slightly cloudy, washed out golden color. Smells of sweet oranges and lemons. The flavor adds more hoppiness to the fruit tastes than I was expecting and it’s a nice addition. I also tasted some bananas. This is a remarkably refreshing summer brew for an 8%er and will be the first beer I order whenever it’s on tap at Top of the Hill. Too bad they don’t bottle it yet cause I’d love to have a few of these on my porch back home.

On tap at the brewery. Thanks for hookup Daniel--its nice having old elementary school chums working the bar. Pleasantly surprised to see a saison from the guys. Finally getting into the mix. Swim Test pours a hazy clear yellow with a small white head. Aroma is spicey and fruity with definite whiffs of yeast. Flavor is fruity and spicey with notes of orange peel and coriander. I had two imperial pints of this and I have to say I was impressed. These pints (coupled with the two ipa’s I had in additon to future liquor drinks) led to my demise later that evening and the following morning as I slept in and was late for work. At least I took some notes and actually remember enjoying these pints. I really hope "topo" will continue this trend with more adventurous offerings like this.