Bison Organic IPA

Brewed by Bison Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Berkeley, California USA

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

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Very well carbonated; the beer pours with a four-finger thick, lightly tan colored head. The beer is an almost clear, pale reddish, full copper color. Very well hopped with notes of loud grapefruit, fresh cut tangelos and candied citrus fruit. The beer has a very punchy, aromatic hop nose that is quite smooth.

Lightly sweet, with a malt character that accentuates the dominant hop character. Notes of freshly zested orange peel, sweet ruby red grapefruit and menthol-like pine are quite noticeable. There is also a an interesting bitterness in the finish that is fairly smooth, and not at all over the top. Perhaps a hint of astringent hop bitterness lingers on in the long finish, but it is fairly mellow. The malt plays a secondary, supporting role here, but is noticeable as a touch of malt sugars and a hint of caramel.

The second pour produces a five-finger thick head; this is definitely way over carbonated, but the good thing is that the foaming and the pour effectively degas this brew. This is definitely an enjoyable IPA; smooth, fruity, yet still well balanced for an IPA. This is very drinkable and quite enjoyable; and somehow it is even organic, how can you not love it.

Amber in color, clear with a thin head. Nice hops cascade aroma and floral with a bite of fruit. Nice Malt backing citrus flavors and cascade hops flavors come out nicely. Very good beer.

Originally reviewed: 6/8/10. 12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a clear orange with a thick white head. Great sticky lace. Scents of floral tones, mild citrus, and whiffs of pine on the back end. The mouth is crisp and clean. Flavors of tart citrus, with a bit of a charred aftertaste. Mildly bitter. Some faint sweetness noted. This is not a bad IPA by any means. It’s not the best, or what I was exactly looking for in this style, but still good. Easily drinkable. Could be an easy crossover IPA for the inquisitive.

Not much to this IPA. Very drinkable and smooth, but seems to be missing some of the characteristic IPA notes.

Not great. It’s ok with a yeasty cereal body but bitter finish. Not much hops detected other than the bitter.

Bottle from Cortis Bros. Nice golden color, no head, no fizziness or mouthfeel. Very little hoppiness.

Bottled sample. Beautiful IPA. Super fresh tasting. Absolutely loved it Can t wait to get some more

(12 oz bottle into pint class) Poured a light coppery with a very small off white head. The nose had some slight citrus notes and a bit of pine. It has a smooth mouthfeel but the bitterness of the hops was a little overwhelming at first. Allowing to warm mellowed it a bit, but this is a very average IPA.

bottle from the distro 2/24/11. golden with a small ow head. it smells like carrots mixed with caramel, spice, lemon and sugar cookies. the flavor is the same only sweeter than hoppy even though it has a dry odd hoppiness in there. 5.5/3/5/3/12

Overall, not bad, I’ve had worse IPA (anything from Flying Fish), but lacks that hoppy bite flavor, and bitterness. Maybe the “organic” touch lacks this flavor, but this beer was thin, somewhat watered down. Again, a decent beer, not sure this should be in an IPA category. I know the description says "not over the top", but, at least get near the top.

Video review at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUIRkVbTh08

Appearance: Golden-amber, 1-finger head dissipates to layering, above-average lacing

Smell: Fresh pine sap, floral notes, hint of blackberry + carmel malts

Taste: Medium body, fresh pine sap, grapefruit, stainless steel sweetness, light hop astringency + carmel malts, strawberry + blackberry finish, orange candy residual, medium carbonation, drinkable

Pairings: Thai food