Bay Area's Best Spots For Bison Organic Beer

Bison Brewing Company, based in Berkeley, California, is known for its organic beers. The company was founded by Daniel Del Grande, who prioritised the use of organic ingredients and sustainable practices. Bison Brewing has since closed down, but its beers, such as the Bison Honey Basil Ale, Bison Organic Chocolate Stout, and Bison Organic Gingerbread Ale, were popular in the Bay Area and distributed across 15 states. The company's commitment to organic brewing and consistent taste contributed to its success within the craft beer industry.

Bison Beer's Berkeley brewpub

Bison Beers' Berkeley brewpub was founded in 1989 and was dedicated to brewing balanced, drinkable, and 100% organic beers with an interesting twist. The company was committed to reducing its environmental impact and leading by example by educating consumers that they don't need to sacrifice everyday pleasures to be green.

The Berkeley brewpub was located at 2030 Fifth Street, Berkeley, California, 94710, United States. It is no longer in business.

Bison Beers had a range of organic beers, including the Organic Chocolate Stout, Organic Gingerbread Ale, Organic Hop Cuvée West Coast Ale, and Organic Imperial Brown Ale. They also had non-organic beers, such as the Bison Bock Amber Lager, which was one of their more popular beers.

Bison Beers was one of the first commercially available craft beers in America, and its founder, Dan Del Grande, was born in the formative years of the craft beer movement in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bison Beers was also one of the first breweries to go 100% organic, conducting a seminal Carbon Footprint Study of its business processes and finding that a six-pack of its organic beer produced 25% less carbon than regular beer.

Bison Organic Beers' owner, Daniel Del Grande

Bison Organic Beer's owner, Daniel Del Grande, is a black belt in karate who eschews plastic and food colouring. He bought Berkeley's Bison Brewing Co. in 1997, shortly after graduating from brewing school. Del Grande is an enthusiastic consumer of organic vegetables and wanted to "sync up his personal life" with his professional one, so he decided to start making organic beer.

Del Grande was ahead of the curve when it came to organic beer. He recalls, "Milk and tomatoes were just about all anybody cared about being organic back then. People definitely didn't care about organic beer." Organic beer was often stigmatised as being cruddy and disappointing. However, Del Grande was passionate about the cause and wanted to reflect his beliefs in his business. He believed that supporting sustainable agriculture was one of the most ecological things he could do, reducing runoff to rivers and streams and preventing pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.

Del Grande's Bison Brewing was the first brewery in the world to earn B Corp certification in 2010, guaranteeing that its hops, barley, wheat and special ingredients are GMO-free. Bison's beers are also known for their dry and crisp finish, with Del Grande paying a lot of attention to the yeasts he selects to ensure the beer is completely dry.

Some of Bison's popular beers include the Honey Basil Ale, a reddish amber-coloured, herbal, floral, dry and thirst-quenching beer; the Hop Cuvee, a golden and effervescent, medium-bodied beer with flavours of pine and tropical fruit; and the Organic Chocolate Stout, a rich and roasty beer with charismatic flavours of dark chocolate and espresso and a creamy, dry finish.

Bison's Chocolate Stout

Bison Brewing Company's Bison Chocolate Stout is a certified organic dry stout with a rich and roasty flavour profile. Brewed with fine Dutch cocoa, it boasts charismatic notes of dark chocolate and espresso, complemented by a creamy, dry finish. Each bottle has 5.0% ABV and 20 IBUS.

This stout has received mixed reviews, with some praising its flavour and smoothness, while others find it watery and underwhelming. It has been described as "dark, slow-pouring, and aphrodisiac of the smoothest proportions", with a thin mouthfeel and subtle chocolate notes.

Bison Chocolate Stout was previously available in 6-packs of 12oz bottles, but it appears that it is no longer in production, according to Untappd. However, it is worth noting that some individuals are still drinking and reviewing the beer, so there may be remaining stock available for purchase.

If you are interested in trying Bison Chocolate Stout or other Bison Brewing Company beers, it is recommended to check local craft beer retailers or specialty beer stores in the Bay Area, as they may have remaining stock or similar offerings. Additionally, checking the Bison Brewing Company's website or social media pages for updates on their product availability is advised.

Bison's Gingerbread Ale

Bison Gingerbread Ale is a unique, delicately spiced holiday porter brewed with ginger, nutmeg, and a touch of cinnamon. With an ABV of 6.0%, this Bison classic is a medium-bodied ale with an intoxicating aroma of freshly baked gingerbread cookies straight from the oven. The well-balanced flavours of molasses, chewy dark malts, and holiday spice dominate the palate, leaving a smooth, dry, spicy finish.

The garnet red brew has big-time ginger aromas, accompanied by nutmeg and an underlying cinnamon spiciness. The Munich, Chocolate, and caramelized malts contribute to the beautiful colour and provide a fullness to the malt profile. The body remains just on the lighter side of medium, making this beer easy to drink. It finishes with a mild hop bitterness, some lingering ginger, a hint of nuttiness, and a ghostly touch of smoke.

Bison Gingerbread Ale is a great choice for those seeking a unique, easy-drinking beer with a gorgeous aroma and well-balanced flavours. It is a perfect holiday treat, offering a delightful sensory experience that evokes the warmth and cheer of the festive season.

Bison Brewing Company, founded in Berkeley, California, by Bill Owens, is known for its commitment to brewing organic beer. While some brewers offer a limited selection of organic options, Bison stands out by embracing energy efficiency and sustainability in both farming and brewing practices. All their beers, including the Gingerbread Ale, are certified organic and bear the USDA Organic seal.

Bison's India Pale Ale

Bison Brewing Company's India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hoppy, organic beer with a rustic, rough-hewn hop character. It uses Tomahawk, Cascade, and Centennial hops, which give it a robust and well-balanced flavour. The beer has a clear, pure copper colour with a soft, foamy head that retains well and leaves some lacing as you drink.

On the nose, there is a citric (freshly sliced oranges) and floral hop aroma, with a touch of biscuity, caramel malt. The hop bitterness hits upfront, with a slightly candied citric character, but this is balanced by the malt profile, which is biscuity, round, and smooth. The malts fill out on the midpalate, finishing with a firm residual hop bitterness and a hint of roasty nuttiness.

The Bison IPA is a medium-bodied beer, well-balanced, with a very flavourful, yet not aggressively harsh, hop profile. It pairs well with food or is great for relaxing with friends.

Bison Brewing Company was founded by Bill Owens in Berkeley, California, in 1989. The company is now under the leadership of owner and brewer Daniel Del Grande, who took over in 1997. The company is committed to brewing organic beer, using only barley grown without chemical fertilizers and no exposure to pesticides and herbicides. They brew all their beers to be certified organic, bearing the USDA Organic seal.

Bison Brewing Company is known for its innovation, using unusual ingredients such as sage, basil, honey, chocolate, and cranberries. They were also one of the first craft breweries in the US, with their iconic brewpub being among the first commercially available craft beers in the country.

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