Entries tagged with “Bitter” from Malt & Barley Chronicles

Cain's is an old time local brewery resurrected in more recent times by the Dusanj family. And while I am sure the original style was not made with California raisins, this beer is still a tasty diversion.

Characteristics: Yellow-amber color, minimal head and low carbonation, medium body, starts a little flat and builds into a restrained fruit middle with that english Fuggles hop finish and aftertaste.

Minor Gripes: I was expecting a fruit cake spiciness that never showed up.  A hint or coriander or nutmeg would add depth in the middle and finish, though I wouldn't want this to reach winter ale status.

Bottom Line: Treat this like a proper English bitter and let it warm a little, and it becomes more enjoyable. Just don't expect a real strong raisin element (based on the one I sampled).

Rating: 5.5 / 10

Looks like a Sierra Nevada Pale, but with a taste that kicks American pales in the jewels. Fantastic beverage, even on a nasty hot humid evening when one might think only a proper Czech pilsner would do the trick. I definitely need to get across to England to compare this to their bitters.

Characteristics: Golden amber color, medium body, sharp carbonated start and caramel middle resolving to a slightly burnt bitterness.

Minor Gripes: The lack of hoppy bite before the bitter finish  might not work for all drinkers, especially those partial to American pale ales.

Bottom Line:  I'd like to see this in a widgeted / nitrogenated pour to compare to the Tetley's.  Since that's not the intent of the brewer, however, I can only say that this is a great change of pace from the hop-fest that dominates so much of American microbrewing.

Rating: 6.75 / 10

Technorati: Bitter, Ale, Rogue, Oregon

The widgeted can proclaims that Tetley's is "Yorkshire's Finest Pub Ale" -- if so, then I'm thinking that the tastebuds are a little different up that way ... though it does explain a little something about musical heroes like David Gedge or the current crop of madness coming out of Sheffield.  Tetley's looks and pours like a Boddington, but trades the clean taste for an earthy bitterness.

Characteristics: Amber-gold color emerges from nitrogenated widget pour, with a nice persistent head; light-to-medium body, smooth but strong  opening resolves into slightly malty bitterness (as opposed to a hoppy bite).

Minor Gripes: The bitter edge gets a little sweet as the beer warms, and the overall flavor profile can run a little chalky.

Bottom Line: If this is a true English bitter, then sign me up for additional samples.  (This site gets lots of search hits for "boddington's bitter" -- not the first identification I'd use.)  It's not yet my idea of an everyday beer, but certainly could be (especially if I was tasting it relatively fresh with a properly pulled pint).

Rating: 5.5 / 10

Technorati: Tetley's, Leeds, Yorkshire, Bitter, Ale