Hibiscus Saison
Bacchus Brewing Co.

Tried on-tap at the Quarrymans in Pyrmont. This version is apparently 10% ABV, although it appear the beer fluctuates from batch to batch.

Pours a hazy Turkish-delight colour, slightly red-brown with a fizzy head of pale bubbles. Body is wickedly light for 10% ABV although the carbonation is fine. Overall though, it's hard to deny it looks a little bit like a soft drink.

Nose is quite pleasant. There's a touch of acidity and a sweet tartness like karkadeh with some rounded cherry characters adding a slight headiness. There's a pronounced banana stink coming through too, a little like jelly candy, and a touch of breadiness as it warms. The saison nuances are lost, in any case.

Taste is heavy with that banana character—almost steamrolling everything else. This is quickly followed by a great deal of bitter, astringent booze: stinky permanent marker, banana lollies and dirt. There's no acidity here, despite the aroma. Feel is tight and astringent, but really quite light in weight throughout.

Nope, sorry guys. This is a rare miss for Bacchus. At 10% it's way over the top and almost undrinkable. The idea is sound though—seriously, make it 5% and get some of the booze under control and this would probably be a refreshing little drop.