The second brew on my roadtrip from Idaho back to Minnesota. This one come from the Bacon & Bleu Family Restaurant in Idaho Falls. I’d found out about it on the way there but didn’t have time to visit it till the way back. The root beer itself is named after the founder’s grandfather, Daune Bishop, who would make homemade root beer. In true old homemade fashion, the Bishop’s Beer is yeast carbonated, something that both intrigues and scares me whenever I hear it. Despite already having tried a root beer that day, I was determined to try another, because it seemed too unique to pass up. They also sell country fried bacon but more on that.
The Body is sweet with a homemade sarsaparilla and sassafras flavor that’s yeasty but not overpowering. Other than the yeast, the rest of the flavors are more of just a core root beer flavor, without a lot of garnishes but it works well. The Bite is mild, there’s not a lot of carbonation nor spice, but it’s nice and smooth. The Head is medium height if you ask for it like that. It fizzes down pretty quickly though. The Aftertaste is sweet, sort of a sarsaparilla with yeast that’s suprisingly refreshing.
This is quite good. Surprisingly so for yeast carbonated. Dare I say, it’s the best yeast brew I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing (most were anything but a pleasure). Not quite Seal of Approval, but still good. I love the fact that the restaurant has a dedicated root beer tap and kegerator just on its own where they get the root beer orders. Not even remotely close to any other drink filling. Just really highlights that brew. We ordered that country fried bacon and fried pickle chips as chasers and wow! I didn’t know I needed deep fried bacon and country gravy in my life, until I had. It may be the new perfect pairing with a frosty mug of brew. If a good yeast root beer isn’t enough to get you to Bacon & Bleu, add some delicous country fried bacon and you realize that this is a must vist.
