hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Balsam Basher

Tap to rate

Floral notes inspired by the aroma of Himalayan balsam itself, with a hoppy flavour on top. Balsam Basher is a 3.8 % golden cask ale brewed for a cause: Jennings joined West Cumbria Rivers Trust to pull the non-native plant from the banks of the River Cocker, the river that supplies the brewery's water, with a goal of 132,000 plants pulled in a summer.

ABV
3.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
floralhoppyclean
floral
hoppy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with distinctive floral notes that echo the Himalayan balsam plant itself, layered with herbaceous hop character.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Balsam Basher

◎ Appearance

Balsam Basher presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine white head that settles into delicate lacing. The carbonation is moderate and evenly distributed, typical of a well-conditioned cask ale. The colour sits squarely in the pale golden range, inviting and luminous.

bright goldenclearfine white headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with distinctive floral notes that echo the Himalayan balsam plant itself, layered with herbaceous hop character. Beneath the florals sits a soft, understated malty foundation that provides structure without assertiveness. There is a clean, crisp quality throughout with no phenolic or yeasty undertones.

floralherbaceous hopssoft malt baseclean

◐ Taste

The palate opens with delicate floral and hop-forward character balanced by a subtle malty sweetness. The mid-palate reveals a light, crisp bitterness that remains refined rather than aggressive, sitting comfortably with the ale's low IBU profile. The finish is dry and clean, with the hoppy note persisting gently into the aftertaste.

floral-hoppy balancerefined bitternesslight bodydry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and drying, with the floral-hop character lingering briefly before fading. A refreshing quality dominates, leaving the palate clean and ready for the next sip.

crisprefreshingdry
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
76
Appearance
78
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Balsam Basher

More from Jennings Brewery

Back Yam
Back Yam
Golden Ale
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Castle Bitter
Castle Bitter
Ordinary Bitter
3.4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cocker Hoop
Cocker Hoop
Golden Ale
4.6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Cumberland Ale
Cumberland Ale
Golden Ale
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Derwent Mild
Derwent Mild
Dark Mild
3.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Golden Host
Golden Host
Golden Ale
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Jennings DDH Pale
Jennings DDH Pale
Hazy Pale Ale
5.3%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Jennings Helles
Jennings Helles
Helles Lager
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same floral, hoppy, crisp character as Balsam Basher will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →