’Tis the Season: With origins in the southern region of Belgium, farmhouse ales were traditionally brewed in the late winter. The beer was conditioned until summer to be a refreshing and low-alcohol drink for the farm hands during summer work. Each farm used its own grain, yeast and hops, so every farm had a different variation of the beer.
This style of beer is sometimes known saison. The difference in the name is based on the country/region where the beer was originally brewed.
Garden Fresh: Fullsteam Brewery releases Southern Basil Farmhouse Ale every summer. Seeing basil as a beer ingredient may throw red flags in your mind, conjuring ideas like a kale ale or a turnip lager. Rest assured, the basil is like a breath of fresh cool air as you drink it, with a nice peppery finish to round it out. This beer is a flavor epiphany that could become your new summer tradition.
Been there, done that: If you’ve already tried Southern Basil, try it again. Each year the beer offers different flavors based on the basil crop, which is harvested from three local women-owned farms. The beer’s malt and barley are from North Carolina malt houses.
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham
(919) Get-Beer
Fullsteam.ag
