Bison Organic Honey Basil

Brewed by Bison Brewing Company
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Berkeley, California USA

Tallahassee, Fl. - New Leaf Market - 12 oz bottle. Aroma has a pleasant spicy-sweetness to it that does remind me of basil. Dark orange pour with a light orange pour. Flavor alternates between sweet and spicy with the honey being quite prominent. Hints of olives, basil, of course and a bit of sweet gumballs. Mouthfeel turns a tad metallic near the end. but still a decent novelty. Would be good with an Italian meal.

An interesting brew. I really had trepidations about the basil element, and honey isn’t one of my favorite flavorings either. The basil was only really evident in the aroma - in addition to the sweet ale smell, it definitely leaves the impression of a casserole dish that you can’t quite get the lasagna residue out of. Decent label, clear, medium to medium-light bronze beer. Sweetish, with a little homebrew twang, moderate bitterness and acidity. Overall, a fairly clean pint.

Very crisp, refreshing from the bottle. Decent head. Enough honey taste on the tongue, with enjoyable basil aroma (not too strong). Didn’t think I would like it, but Bison proved me wrong.

12 oz bottle. Basil on the nose, corriander, very herbal with traces of honey. Pours a golden amber with a thin head that doesn’t last. Light honey notes, sweet malts with a lot of basil, very light, but the herbal basil flavor is a little off putting I’d like to try it again with food. I couldn’t drink more than one of these, but it is interesting.

Appearance was a pale amber with decent carbonation. Smells is dominated by basil, but not an overwhelming aroma. The taste is also dominated by the basil. The honey is very subtle at first, but seems to come through more in the finish. A bit thin on the mouthfeel. I really wasn’t sure I’d like this style, but it’s actually pretty good. Not a beer you’d want in mass quantities, but still a good change of pace in the summer and probably is an excellent food pairing for chicken and the like.

12 ounce bottle grom Beer Run in Charlottesville, VA. Pours a clear copper color with a thin head. Fair head retention and lacing. Aroma is caramel, honey, lime, spicy basil finish. Basil is strong in the taste... with honey and caramel notes. Nice and spicy. I suddenly crave mozzarella. Medium bodied. Interesting beer, and well done.

Bottle... Poured amber with a white head. Aroma of malts and a earthy, honey sweetness. Well carbonated, with a thicker palate. I’d describe this a drinkable amber ale with a basil finish. Honey sweet barley grains too. I was fearful this would be like another Mama Mia Pizza beer, but it came out balanced and well crafted. Would be good with Italian food.

Bottle from Pizza Port. Copper red with no head. Malty spicy aroma and a honey and vaguely basil herbal taste.