Bitter Brewer - Surly Brewing Company

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.36/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

16oz energy drink looking can, 6 days old (humble brag)

Semi-hazy yellow pumpkin color, sudsy esb head. Smell is lemon, pine, sweet fruits. Feel is light-medium, crisp yet buttery. Taste is bitter(obviously) pine, lemon rind, pie crust, bready grain finish.

The best tasting 4% beer you'll ever drink.

Serving type: can

05-14-2013 08:48:21 | More by jimmah120

Philly82785

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an opaque amber with a medium head. The nose is very floral with some spicy hops and a hint of sweet caramel. Flavor has earthy tea notes and pale malts with mild hoppy spice and an earthy bitterness. Finishes with a subtle hop taste that lingers.

Serving type: can

12-24-2012 06:03:02 | More by Philly82785

CaptCleveland

Ohio

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can, no dating, poured into SA glass.

Light orange elixir, slight haze, fluffy, tight white head, copious lacing.

Heavy floral notes, some piney hops, subtle orange and mint.

The floral presence is there, but nicely muted by the hops and malt. Nothing over powering.

Nicely bitter, a bit tangy, refreshing.

The perfect brew for any summer activity. Well done.

Serving type: can

12-14-2012 03:02:20 | More by CaptCleveland

sommersb

Tennessee

4.05/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 10-20-2012
Freshness: Canned on 05-21-12
Packaging: 16 oz. can
Glassware: Nonic pint
Purchased: Received in a trade

Hazy and dark copper in color, with lots of bubbles and other particles seen in suspension. A couple of fingers of off-white head shows very good retention and a nice lace.

Impressive aromas of pine and citrus hops dominate the nose. The taste has a notable American hop presence as well, with citrus/grapefruit flavors. Breadiness from the malts helps even out the bitterness and makes for a good balance.

Medium bodied, with a moderate level of carbonation. Finishes dry and bitter. Overall a very pleasant ale from Surly.

Thanks to fLax for this one!

Serving type: can

10-20-2012 23:12:10 | More by sommersb

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 16 oz can into Cheers drinking mug. Served chilled...

A) An attractive honey colored brew with nearly 2 fingers of rocky head reaching the top of the mug. Very nice retention, and excellent lacing.

S) Pale malt, zesty citrus aroma, with a little bit of a floral scent as well.

T) White grapefruit, a little lemon zest, flower petal, light pine and grass. This bitter for sure, but there is a little bit of caramel sweetness, and the drinkability is through the roof.

M) Fairly light body, good amount of carbonation. This is crisp and refreshing. A little dry on the finish. Very pleasant aftertaste.

O) Really enjoyed this beer. As stated above, excellent drinkability, and at 4% ABV, you could drink quite a few of them. I've really been impressed by everything I've had from Surly thus far. Glad to recommend.

Serving type: can

10-02-2012 23:36:48 | More by RoamingGnome

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A rich golden amber color. I noticed some sediment floating about. A tall head is produced during the pour with an off white.

Aroma is quite nice and I can sniff out some orange marmalade. Underneath a grainy malt bill.

Taste is good, with lots of tangy citrus flavor. Malts are good and solid.

The mouthfeel has a harsh bitter finish. Feels thin and watery.

An okay beer.

Serving type: can

09-18-2012 22:13:45 | More by micromaniac129

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A pint can of awesomeness sent by Aaron (thanks man!) poured into a Sam Adams Perfect Pint.

A: Beautiful sunset gold with a large slightly off-white head...also, this thing poured with a ton of floaties....didn't notice that at first.

S: Floral hops with a citric edge, very American smelling, with a pale malt graininess underneath. Smells very refreshing.

T: Taste is similar to the nose, the hops are there for flavor but the bitterness is low; flowers, tangerine and grapefruit rind blend with notes of toasted bread, malted pale grains, and hints of caramel.

MF: Light to medium and refreshing, with lower levels of carbonation. Very drinkable.

O: A seriously drinkable summer beer in my opinion. This IS the beer I would reach for if I was looking for IPA flavor without the oppressive bitterness.

Cheers Aaron!

Serving type: can

09-18-2012 13:03:33 | More by Scotchboy

devilben02

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This can came in an unexpected but very welcomed package from a friend who has family in Minnesota. It pours with a warm, light orange-amber color and a big, fluffy, sticky head. The aroma provides a nice balance of sweet caramel malt and some light herbal hops. The flavor likewise blends fruity, sweet malts with a bright yet somehow musty combination of hops, and the light effervescence further lightens the flavor profile. Overall, this beer , has a nice earthy quality, but it is at the same time light, bright, sweet, and quite drinkable.

Serving type: can

09-11-2012 13:46:50 | More by devilben02

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Serving type: 16-ounce can. The “CANNED ON” date is “06/14/12.”

Appearance: Poured into a nonick pint glass. The color is golden copper. Two fingers of fairly thick, buttery, eggshell-colored head dissipated slowly to leave a rocky lacing and thick ring around the edge.

Smell: Off the bat it offers a west cost hop character: lots of citrus, which is mostly grapefruit but I got a hint of cara cara orange, too. The citrus does stand out above everything else, but its maltier British roots almost balance it out. Grassy hops, lightly toasted malts, sweet caramel, toffee, and a little honey.

Taste: A nice, citrus hop bitterness kicks the taste buds awake. After that, the citrus blends into a balanced beeriness: tinge of grapefruit and orange (which keep the back of the tongue and cheeks tingling), lightly toasted malts, grassy hops, sweet caramel, and honey.

Drinkability: It is a solid, tasty, and sessionable brew — perfect for the Twin Cities’ future MLS hooligans.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 21:21:10 | More by TheQuietMan22

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can dated 6/14/12 into a tulip as I listen to White Sox implode. Ed Farmer says some really dumb shit and this is a really bad loss.

Orange with a frothy white billow and collar. Some nice looking stickem' tags the glass.

Light yeast, apple juice, mint, orange jelly, and sourdough bread are all detected by my elongated proboscis.

The can has it right with orange marmalade. Mild spice from the yeast, iced tea, and a big crunchy toast character. Mint sprig on the finish leaves a lasting tingle.

Body is light and zestily carbonated.

Overall, this is an easy drinking bitter. I have fond memories of drinking this on the lake up north on hot summer afternoons.

Addendum: well I'll be damned if the Sox just didn't tie it after vomiting themselves.

Serving type: can

08-25-2012 03:06:27 | More by BarrytheBear

KC8LTL

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

First of all, I must say that this review is from an IPA fan who is rating it based on what I like - not by style. To describe a beer which is dry-hopped with American hops as an "English Bitter" does not seem fair.

When poured from a can into a pint glass, I was rewarded with a cloudy orange liquid and decent off white head. The smell was a citrus blast from the dry hopping. The head receded with time, but never went away.

The weakness of this beer is the mouthfeel and arguably balance. The resulting beer is all hops and in order to keep the ABV down, the malt backbone isn't quite there. That said, this is no thin beer. There is lacing left on the glass, and the resulting beer is still quite enjoyable, especially on a warm day, or when you want a session beer.

Serving type: can

08-14-2012 22:42:10 | More by KC8LTL

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to JLindros for sharing.

A - Poured a hazy honey with a one finger sudsy off white head that fades to leave lots of sticky side lacing.

S - Lots of gentle esters with some honey sweetness and light, bitter hops.

T - Nice and clean and light, slightly almost sour with nice floral and grassy hop notes. Quite tasty.

M - Mouthfeel is nicely carbonated albeit slightly thin.

O - Overall I liked this better, somehow, than Surly Furious. A Very tasty English Bitter.

Serving type: can

08-08-2012 19:12:12 | More by rudzud

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Medium white head slowly settles into a pretty decent lacing above a particle filled honey colored beer.

Light sweet malts behind a citrusy pepper like spices aroma.

Bitter dry hops taste with very light spices combined with a light backdrop of earthy grain malts taste. A light drying taste to this beer, very welcoming and makes you want to take another gulp.

Not a big bold or overbearing taste but rather a lighter subdued taste that is quite good.

This is an excellent beer to expand the horizons of American light lager drinkers, I know from past experience that when Bud drinkers try something from Stone or Rogue its basically like culture shock to them, but this beer in its light but yet solid taste of dry hops, etc. one might just find another convert to the world of great ales and lagers.

Serving type: can

08-05-2012 20:55:27 | More by LXIXME

Florida9

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Color is an earthy shade of orange. There is some visible sedimentation giving this brew a slightly cloudy look to it. Forms a sizable off-white head that offers up some very nice retention. Lots of lacing on the way down.

S: Aroma is a nice blend of malt and hops. Light caramel malts, stewed tea, pine, and a bit of citrus.

T: Taste is somewhat earthy and a bit dank. Mild caramel malts lead into the flavors of tea, earthy hops, and some pine character. Finish is earthier still.

M: Medium bodied with a lighter/medium carbonation. Mild to moderate bitterness. Somewhat sticky or coating in the mouth.

O: When I first popped this can and took a swig, I was more than impressed. This beer was really packing some flavor for it's mild 4% ABV. But as a I got about half way through, the flavor became less bright and much darker and one-note. It really just seemed to fall off. I do wonder if this beer has more age on it than it should (there appears to have been a valiant attempt to date the can, but the date is illegible) that is resulting in some of the earthy flavors that seem to be dominating this beer.

Serving type: can

07-21-2012 02:45:05 | More by Florida9

mynie

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Canned.

Pours roughly the same color as the can, a very bright shade of orange topped with a fluffy white head. Smells of Surly yeast, citrus hops, and white bread. Certainly an American take on an ESB--and that's in no way a bad thing.

Tastes very much like it smells, almost like a very light west coast APA only with Surly's excellent yeastmanship helping hold everything together. The hops are subtle yet variegated, the malt is sweet, and the balance is superb.

Serving type: can

07-16-2012 02:26:04 | More by mynie

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had during the 2nd Annual Redneck Racin’ & Tastin’ while watching the dirt track race! Big thanks goes out to marine1975 for this one! Served from can into a shaker. Poured red-orange with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, fruit, bitter hop, earth, and earth hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, bitter hop, earth, and earth hop. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. I really liked the hop profile on this one as the earthiness mixed really well with the bitter hops. While it was good it definitely didn’t stand out compared to other brews I’ve had from the style. Glad I got the chance to try this one again as my review ended up disappearing…

Serving type: can

06-12-2012 12:54:59 | More by thagr81us

chugalug06

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Very small, one finger, straw colored, foamy, head; tough to get much head to rise... Brew is murky orange with lots of reds and some yellows.

Yep, it's definitely English... Hit the scent on the nose; pun not intended. Farm-y, horse-y, bread-y, malty, and not a ton of hop character.

Yep, it's definitely English... Very bland, but refreshing. Hops are strictly bittering, no floral notes. Nothing fancy or overwhelming about this brew. Good carbonation. Fits style.

Yep, it's definitely English... Unique and stylish. Nothing memorable about this one, just refreshing. Perfect for a hot and humid day. Can't Recommend.

Serving type: can

06-08-2012 00:49:55 | More by chugalug06

lovindahops

New York

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

my first bitter brewer from Surly. Love the art work on this one!

A- bitter brewer pours a hazy orange with a great off white head that keeps lacing on the sides of the glass. It certainly has the look of a refreshing brew that is already making my mouth water

S- I get a good whiff of orange jam with some buttery diactyl. There is some sweet citric theme that mingles with some bitter scents as well. Very lively and refreshing

T- great orange and mango flavors that have a bready flavor and along with a spike of bitter flavor at the end. With all these aspect blended together, the taste is absolutely delicious. Even a little tropical them kicks in at the end

M- carboation and coating flavors are in sync with what you want a brew to feel like

O- Surly just delivers... plain and simple. Bitter brewer is another example of a completely drinkable beer that is full of flavor. Best english bitter I have ever experienced!

Serving type: can

06-02-2012 20:36:54 | More by lovindahops

augustgarage

California

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Canned on 4/9/2012. Poured from a 16oz can into a pint glass.

Gold tinged gamboge liquid with amber highlights and a busy upthrust of off white fizz. Light soapy lacing; average retention.

Kumquat jelly, tea biscuits, and mango in the nose - delicate but complex and rich.

Mild bitterness on the palate balanced with light crackery English malt flavors. Hops are juicy and very slightly grassy in the finish. Dry mineral-laden finish.

Light bodied yet slick with moderate carbonation.

Likely my favorite example of the style I've sampled thus far, though the U.S. hops probably diverge from stylistic tradition quite a bit.

Serving type: can

06-02-2012 03:59:12 | More by augustgarage

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first Surly beer. Cracking and pouring into a pint glass.

Copper in color, great clarity, exceptional head retention. Fluffy white and coarse on-top. 4.5

Spicy/floral hop aroma up-front. Toasty grains and a peppery/saison-like spice aromatic. Semi-dry and fresh-smelling. 4.5

Peppery yeast crossed with toasted grains, floral Euro hops paired with a more vigorous American hopping, and a faint pear fruit ester. Earthy and dry. Slight citric pith, baked earth, and a strong herbal quality. A little attenuated, but great flavor profile and complexity. 3.5

Medium carbonation is a little busy. The body is silky thin. Remarkably drinkable. 4.0

Great brew from the folks at Surly. I look forward to trying many more of their offerings. 4.0

Serving type: can

05-30-2012 00:57:50 | More by thecheapies

Pintofbrown

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bitter Brewer soured my mood right up while quaffing from a shaker pint.

Appearance- A finger of chunky, bubbly foam is in off-white with shades of marmalade. I understand why the can has the golden orange color now, it imitates the color of the body. There are tons of bubbles zipping to the cap too.

Smell- Very earthy nose, it is really dirty and herbal. A little bit of toasted wheat bread in here too. I think I also am picking up some pine and starfruit. This nose is different, but very nice.

Taste- Oh yeah. This thing was born for summer sippin'. It starts heavy on the iced tea and blast of pine. The middle of the drink shows a little of that citrus zing, again mostly star fruit.

The finish though, what a finish. It is not that bitter at only 37 IBU's, but it does not need to be. A big blast of buttery toast and earthiness envelope the palate and sticks around.

Mouth feel- This one is more on the watery side, and not really dry in any way, despite some hoppy characteristics. Although, it is still very drinkable and does a nice job of creating a long finish.

Overall- This is a very good beer, and one you could enjoy right after the other without fear of waking up not remembering what you did on that beautiful summer day now past.

Enjoy this herbal and buttery bitter, or three, if you can.

Serving type: can

05-29-2012 22:17:48 | More by Pintofbrown

jegross2

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewing the Bitter Brewer from the Surly Brewing Company.
Score: 87

Canned 04/05/12. Served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 05/28/12.

Appearance: Pours a clear and clean-looking golden color with two fingers of foamy/soapy off-white head that slowly recedes into a thin layer with clumps of foamy head splotched around. Average lacing and retention, but some residual head seems to cling for a bit. 4/5

Smell: Bread dough, wheat biscuits, floral citrus, a little lemon pine. There's grassy straw hops and a distinct white tea/iced tea aroma too. A little red apple and a hint of dried banana and fruity yeast -- but not in a hefeweizen way. 4/5

Taste: Hoppy lemon iced tea is my first impression. There's some bitter orange flavor and barley in the tea flavor too. There's almost like a crescendo of the lemon flavor at some point towards the finish with each sip. Largely crisp in flavor, but there's some residual bitter lemony grain flavor lingering in the aftertaste. There is ample fresh and bitter grassy hops flavor too, but the hoppiness is much more mellow and less in-your-face than a pale ale or IPA. 3.75/5

Mouthfeel: Light bodied, medium carbonation. Oily mouthfeel. Modestly dry and bitter (but not super bitter) finish. 4/5

Overall: There is not too much going on in this beer -- what you smell is what you get -- and the flavors are relatively subdued overall, but Bitter Brewer is a very nice light and refreshing sessionable summer beer that's low in ABV (4%) without being low in quality. This beer is perfect for the 90+ degree weather we are experiencing in Chicago today.

Recommendation: Fans of lagers and summer beers should give this one a whirl as an alternative reward for mowing the grass on a Sunday afternoon.

Pairings: Tangy barbeque-slathered chicken on the grill.

Cost: $8.49 for a four pack.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 19:43:31 | More by jegross2

macrosmatic

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Cyclone8 for this one. Reviewed from notes. Poured from 16 oz. can into pint glass.

A: Pours a nice light copper in color and is somewhat hazy. About one finger's worth of head.

S: Some hop aroma with a spicy bitter note.

T: Taste follows nose. Nice bitter flavor, smooth maltiness, with the spiciness coming through at the end.

M: Smooth mouthfeel, maybe just a little bit on the thin side.

O: Good, solid English Bitter. No real complaints here.

Serving type: can

05-20-2012 23:01:27 | More by macrosmatic

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a shaker pint: Medium golden-orange, clear with some slow nucleation, under two fingers of loose, rising head.

Up front smell of fresh grapefruit, lime, a little dank or earthy, with a bread-crusty note that, if I were to guess, would say is rye(?). Very nice, & not overdone.

Taste delivers something different from what I was expecting, which was more fruity character & iced tea. What's there instead is a stronger bread crust flavor, a little dry, with some pepper, some milder citrus peel, & ending with a long, moderate bitterness. Again, nicely understated, & something of a surprise. Actually, bitterness is all there is after a while, not too much else going on. Not bad, but would like a little more depth, or if it's going to be one-note, pick another note to strum.

Medium-light bodied with some "stick" from the hops & bitterness. Leaves a long imprint on the mouthfeel.

Not a bad number at all. Again, would like to see a little more balance in the taste, but pretty drinkable & enjoyable.

Serving type: can

05-18-2012 20:41:47 | More by OneDropSoup

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a clear light amber pour with 2 fingers of fluffy white head. smells of caramel, pine, orange peel. a nice refreshing citrusy hop taste with a hint of breadyness and sweet malt. dirt, pine, caramel taste. light body with a bitter aftertaste, yet somehow nicely refreshing, soda-like carbonation, decent lacing.

this is an excellent session ale, and a great esb. perfect for the summer heat! great taste, great mouthfeel, and looks excellent.. though, not too great on the nose, session beers are very hard to get this high of a rating. job well done by surly.

Serving type: can

05-17-2012 23:05:54 | More by facundoCNB