Summer Basil
Fullsteam Brewery

Summer BasilSummer Basil
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From:
Fullsteam Brewery
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
Saison
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 10.57%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
112
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 31, 2017
Added:
Jul 06, 2010
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  16
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by callisbeers:
Photo of callisbeers
Reviewed by callisbeers from North Carolina

4.92/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I should give this a really bad review because they only brewed it for the summer! But I won't.

Far and away my favorite beer that I have had on tap at home. Typical saison appearance but man does the basil just kick the taste to the next level, It isn't overpowering but you can definitely taste it in there. I had this on tap over the summer and I could not wait until I would come home from a long, hot ride, and have a cold one. I believe this was the fastest I have gone through a keg at home. Just a perfect beer. Can't wait till late spring of next year!
Nov 15, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of mothmanscott
Reviewed by mothmanscott from Georgia

3.92/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy deep straw producing 2 fingers of somewhat lasting, foamy, white head that recedes to a nice cap & collar leaving virtually no lace. A pale sediment dusts the bottom with lots of effervescence streaming to the surface. Aroma is pale malt, wheat bread, lemony citrus, fruity hints of peach, pear, earthy herbal hints from the basil & thin banana hides in the background. Taste is piquant, pale malt, biscuit, wheat, vegetal earthy herbal from the basil, fruity pear & peach, lemon, clove & light banana with a nice spice & peppery bite in the tangy finish. The aftertaste is dough, citrus, earthy & thinly fruity with a faint bitterness. Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with moderate-high carbonation, peppery, dry & slightly chalky in the finish & aftertaste.
Dec 31, 2017
 
Rated: 4.02 by There_she_gose from South Carolina

Jul 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.07 by Jsonta from New Jersey

Sep 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.77 by DrMindbender from South Carolina

Aug 21, 2016
Photo of Tone
Reviewed by Tone from Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Pours a cloudy, straw color. One inch head of a white color. Great retention and slight lacing. Smells of yeast, pale malt, slight sweet malt, hops, slight basil, and floral notes. Fits the style of a Saison / Farmhouse Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with a high carbonation level. Tastes of yeast, pale malt, slight sweet malt, basil, hops, and slight floral notes. Overall, good appearance, aroma, body, blend, but lacking in basil and high carbonation is a detriment.
Jun 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.49 by TheBeard89 from Alabama

Jan 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.8 by McAndrew from North Carolina

Nov 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.77 by Jamato14 from North Carolina

Oct 31, 2015
Photo of trackerdave
Reviewed by trackerdave from North Carolina

4.39/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
My preference is a farmhouse ale and this one is a very refreshing beer. Just finished my last 16 oz can. That is one thing I like about Fullsteam, they give you a full 16 oz beer.
Look: Light color with a small head that doesn't stick around for long.
Smell: Basil (Duh!!!), light citrus, yeast and hops.
Taste: A great saison with basil, yeast, lemony peppery notes.
Feel: Great palate cleansing ability, bubbly on the tongue. Definitely goes down smooth.
Overall: A very refreshing beer that is typical of a well made saison. The basil is the real show. Fullsteam gets their basil from local farms in the area. It is brewed during the summer months while the basil is growing through about October. One of the interesting things about this beer is that the taste will never be exactly the same from batch to batch. As the basil plant matures it gets stronger and more pungent throughout the summer. Also, the amount of rain, sunshine and temperature has an effect on how the basil will affect the taste. This adds additional interest to the beer (IMHO) as the summer begins to come to a close. I need to go out early next week and see if I can find some more.
Oct 29, 2015
Photo of justintcoons
Reviewed by justintcoons from Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16 oz can poured into a mug.

Appearance
Pale straw and very yeasty. Has 1 finger of white head with lively carbonation.

Nose
Basil, white pepper, lemon, and Pilsner malt.

Taste
Basil, pink peppercorn, potpourri, and lemongrass. Light Pilsner malt, cereal grains, and lemon. Slight noble hoppiness.

Mouthfeel
Light bodied, crisp, clean, off-dry, and refreshing.

Overall
The Saison yeast and basil really shine through. Very easy drinking.
Sep 25, 2015
Photo of twage04
Rated by twage04 from North Carolina

4.02/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A tart easy drinking saison. You can kinda taste a hint of the basil but mostly you are tasting a yeast imparted saison flavor.
Sep 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by djgustafson from North Carolina

Sep 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by msscott1973 from North Carolina

Sep 10, 2015
Photo of SFNC
Reviewed by SFNC from North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Look; A very pale, hazy yellow. Not very enticing, though it does sport a nice 2 inch meringue head.
Smell; Belgian yeast, light basil.
Taste; The first taste is a little off, with a vegetable taste mixed with the chalky Saison yeast taking over. This improves with each sip, becoming a a well integrated herbal presence.
Feel; Just right, lightly carbonated and light.
Overall; A brave success. A very refreshing drink, subtle and very enjoyable after a shaky beginning. Nice packaging as well!
Sep 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaswilson2 from South Carolina

Aug 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by LooseMoose1978 from North Carolina

Aug 24, 2015
 
Rated: 4.11 by OGShotzy from Pennsylvania

Aug 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.61 by LannahC from North Carolina

Aug 19, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by brandon911 from Texas

Aug 19, 2015
Summer Basil from Fullsteam Brewery
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 112 ratings