BASIL BEACH ~ SAWDUST CITY

Basil Beach is Sawdust City’s Golden Beach Pale ale brewed with fresh basil. It is a limited edition one-off. It was sampled on Sawdust City’s massive tap (25 taps and 5 kegs) takeover at the Only Cafe in Toronto. Sampled a pint, drawn from one of the kegs. The beer pours a hazy bright sunny gold with a small bubbly head. The nose contains citrusy lemon, grass, basil and floral hops. Taste follows as expected: citrusy and herbal hops, a little orchard, fruit, grass and a light basil, which became a little more pronounced as the beer warmed.The finish is a little astringent and bitter. The carbonation is active and lively.  

5% from Gravenhurst, Ontario IBU 25

WATER: pure Muskoka water
BARLEY /MALT: Canadian 2-row barley, wheat
HOPS: galaxy, mosaic, Sorachi ace, summit
YEAST California ale
OTHER: Basil

BASILISK PARADISE SAISON ~ BREWFIST & FLYING MONKEYS

This is a collaboration with Flying Monkeys in Barrie, Ontario and Brewfist in Codogno, Italy. This collab has resulted in a saison brewed with ‘grains of paradise’ (Melegueta pepper), orange, basil and rosemary. Sampled on draught. The beer poured a hazy golden amber colour with an off white head, which left some lacing. The nose is mild and has yeasts, fruity esters, malts, and some floral and herbal notes, and grassy hops (Styrian Golding, Cascade and Magnum were used). The taste follows along the same lines as the aroma: some sweet dried fruit, hay, farmhouse funk, pale malts, herbals (especially hints of Basil) and a hoppy finish. The beer has a medium body and is moderately carbonated. I really enjoyed this saison and its complexities of flavour. Well done!

6% from Codogno, Italy and Barrie, Ontario 30 IBU