Bitter

danger awesome · Post by **danger awesome** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:25 pm

I don't know if it's just not that popular at all outside of the UK, but i feel Bitter is vastly undermentioned and underappreciated, both on here and elsewhere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitter_%28beer%29

http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=180668

http://www.ratebeer.com/Beer-News/Article-579.htm

Brands to try (i'm listing those most famous/popular/available in the UK, which may not necessarily be the 'best'):

Tetley's
John Smith's
Boddington's
Eagle (Charles Wells)
Bombardier (Charles Wells)
Young's

Post by **Badfellow** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:20 am

Couldn't agree with you more, Dan. It is such a soft, easy, delicious and inviting style to knock back. In fact, light lagers can bow down and kiss the ass of a superior beer.

Bitter has started to pick up some steam with American beer drinkers, with both Boddingtons and Old Speckled Hen gaining market share. The former in particular (in four pack "pub draught" cans) can be found in many state-side stores' better beer selections.

This thread is making me thirsty.

Martini Time · Post by **Martini Time** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:32 am

I'm quite partial to the Fuller's ESB™. Many of my favorite locals have it on tap. I don't know how it rates "across the pond", but I do like it.

Thanks, Dan.

***** · Post by ***** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:55 am

I can't stand Tetley's, but then again, I like my lighter beers cold. Fuller's is nice, though.

Frankennietzsche · Post by **Frankennietzsche** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:28 pm

Have you noticed a change in the lables of Fuller's ESB in Amurika? It has changed to "Fuller's Extra Special."

Post by **Badfellow** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:05 pm

Frankennietzsche wrote:Have you noticed a change in the lables of Fuller's ESB in Amurika? It has changed to "Fuller's Extra Special."

It may have something to do with ESB being a registered trademark in the UK, owned I assume by Fuller's. They're 1845 isn't a bad ale either.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:19 pm

Fuller's ESB is my favorite that the Toad gets on draft.

MethFront · Post by **MethFront** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:25 pm

Anyone had any luck finding Victoria Bitter?

(i'm still angry with the entire continent of australia over my inability to procure it in new jersey...)

danger awesome · Post by **danger awesome** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:13 pm

As far as i know, 'Victoria Bitter' isn't actually a 'bitter', but a 'lager' named misleadingly.

Also, you learn to love Tetley's when it's the cheapest pint in Oxford, at £1 exactly in The Union.

Post by **Badfellow** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:38 pm

Dan... I have a difficult time believing that you're not a certified member of CAMRA. You're their vanguard: young, thirsty, articulate, educated, and well grounded. You are the future, that is, future MP of the Drunkard Party.

Gin McGuinness · Post by **Gin McGuinness** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:47 pm

dan_uk wrote:As far as i know, 'Victoria Bitter' isn't actually a 'bitter', but a 'lager' named misleadingly.

I'll second you on this, dan_uk. Our local, The Old Brown Shoe, is an English pub that carries both. And upon trying each, side by side, Victoria Bitter is not so bitter. Bodingtons, Tetley's & Young's are also sold and consumed by many. I thing Bodingtons goes great with BBQ ribs.

waahoohah · Post by **waahoohah** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:57 am

So where does Red Hook ESB fit into this conversation?

danger awesome · Post by **danger awesome** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:56 am

waahoohah wrote:So where does Red Hook ESB fit into this conversation?

ESB = Extra Special Bitter, which seems to be from my brief research what you people in the US get most commonly as a bitter. I had a quick look on their website, looks to be quite good stuff.

In the interests of saving money this week (last week got a *little* silly...) i bought a crate of Tesco's own brand 'Best Bitter' this week - and it's pretty damn good, although a little weaker on the abv than my usual choice of Foster's lager (beggars can't be choosers...)

While we're on the subject, UK supermarket own brand drink has really improved greatly since i can remember - while the lagers are still a bit bland and under-par compared to their 'proper' counterparts, the bitters are really not bad at all (particularly Sainsbury's "Parkin's bitter"), and the super-lagers , if that's your bag, are pretty respectable. Also, i've noticed both Tesco and Sainsbury's have started not long ago stocking their own 4-bottle packs of imported speciality beers which are pretty good too.

slipperyyoke · Post by **slipperyyoke** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:48 pm

A few more links about Bitters and ESB's. (Reviews and examples)

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/98

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/66

Besides the great British examples already mentioned by the previous posters, I'd also suggest trying the Bitters/ESB's that Rogue brews and Yard's Extra Special Ale. The Yard's ESA on cask is liquid bliss in a pint glass. Cheers!