Free State Bison Dark Ale

Draft: Clear walnut with ruby highlights. Frothy light caramel head. Elegant aroma equally loaded with fruity esters, chocolate, caramel, nuts, and cream. Substantially hoppy with a hint of maple and buttery yeast. Soft and mellow on the tongue. Fruity start is balanced by a healthy fresh hop tingle and a long pale malt, caramel malt composition. Ringwood yeast hints. Persistent caramel malt, dark malt finish with a coarse hint of leather and accompanying hop belches. Exactly what I seek in the style.

Medium dark brown with and orange hue at the edge of the glass. Frothy tan head... hoppy, rich and creamy, very sweet and rich, like drinking espresso or french roast. The roasted malts are picked up, and the roasty chocolate flavor coats the mouth. A great beer from Free State. Enjoyed this with lilannie, ChimayBabe and TAR passing through on my way to Chicago.

Free State does so many different styles well. This ale is no exception. Caramel-fruit flavor and huge hops balanced by a ton of nutty, dark malts. Some banana-y esters noted. Quickly disappearing head with average lacing. Nutty dark malts with some fruity caramel. Bit of fitting diacetyl.

Nice strong ale. Very fruity for such a dark beer; I tasted raisins, and, discordingly, lighter fruits such as peaches and apples. The hop varieties I have honestly never heard of, but finish off the tremendous malt complexity that this beer offers. Looks simply great in the glass.

Dark red in color, roasted carmel, full body, not much head.

Great dark, slightly strong ale. Deep, dark red color, slight head and relatively low carbonation, Great marriage of maltiness and hop spiciness. Incredible bittersweet aftertaste. Well done again, Free State.