Bison Farmhouse Ale

Brewed by Bison Brewing Company
Style: Saison
Berkeley, California USA

Bottle of "2007 Brewer’s Reserve." Did anyone notice the irony of a silkscreened bottle boasting "organic" also warning of lead in the ink used to print it?? Anyhoo, the ale decants with the turbid, unlikely pale neon orange of mango flesh; healthy carbonation ensures a roiling froth of durable, lumpy suds. Combined peach, banana, and the "green" tang of noble hops introduce the aroma; wafts of tangerine, seashore, flowery spice, and scented baby powder ensue. Fruity-spicy hop flavor complements the dry, sweet/tart, and barely metallic flavor. An enchanting cilantro and mint herbailty surfaces intermittently. (The second decantation, with lees, introduces electric, citric acidity.) A burnt marshmallow quality that I almost dismissed in the nose revisits in the beer’s finish. Although dry and pillowy, enough maple-y "raw" sugar flavor remains to keep the palate as wet and thirst-slaiking as springwater. The mildly bitter aftertaste hints at ironilike astringency. Despite finding the fruity/funky yeast character a tad restrained, this is a charming and well-crafted rustic ale.

Bottle purchased in Hayden. Fair head on pale gold. Sour funky aroma with scents of cheese, soap and salt water. Smooth lightly foamy body. A tame funkiness. Reaches but doesn’t quite hit the high notes. Approachable. Soapy saltiness. Some pepper lightly mixed in and noticeable in the finish.

20070630 2006 Farmhouse Ale. Cloudy dark gold. medium head. Light fink, lightly malty, full body, nutty, quite nice.

Brandon, Fl. - Kingdom Liquors - 22 oz bomber. Murky orange pour, snow-white but very brief thin head. Fresh floral aroma, some buttery notes in there as well. Fresh, thirst quenching flavor, find some nectarines, white grapes, hint of butter with some faint coriander spicy notes on the back end. Nice smooth texture, goes down well. Tastes great after working in the yard on a hot, muggy spring day.

Flip-top bottle. Small, very bubbly, white head that mostly diminished, patchy lacing, carbonation observed, slightly cloudy, and a pale yellow-golden hue. Nose was spicy, yeasty,fruity, and some light pepper. Flavor was spicy, acidic, lightly bitter finish, and lightly peppery.Light-medium body. Quaffable and maybe okay for a session saison, but not one I am likely to want again.

Sampled last year. A very very nice brew with a solid base that has a thick head and deep tan/yellow hues. Pours nicely and goes down smooth. Well for the cost.

Small but fizzy white head. The Body is slightly hazy dark yellow. The aroma first hits you with clove with notes of sweet orange, pepper and a light yeastiness of cobweb and mustiness. Very nice. The flavor is moderately sweet and moderately acidic with a light bitterness on the back of the tongue. Long finish as the bitterness ebbs. Medium body with a smooth, but slightly watery texture. Lively carbonation. A delicious saison even though it’s a little sweet.

2006 swingtop bottle from Sam’s. Pours hazy golden with a nice white head that sticks. Nose is very doughy and bready, with some spices and yeast. Flavor is equally bready and spicy, but lacks in acidity to balance it out. A nice and sessionable saison, but perhaps not the best ager.