Bitter Brewer - Surly Brewing Company

SaintMarysGirl

California

1.75/5  rDev -56.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

No head at all has a grassy smell analyte mouthful nonalcoholic or heat when it goes down bitter taste you can also taste the hop more than you can taste the mall it's got this fresh hop fail flavored as well as Woody and spice and very low carbonation

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 03:28:43 | More by SaintMarysGirl

Jammies

Illinois

2.4/5  rDev -40.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A- Pours a golden orange with about an inch of foam. Incredible retention and ok lacing

S- sweet and hoppy. Some slight citrus and floral notes

T-watery and light, not much flavor

M- not much body, thin and watery

O- so confused. It smelled terrific, looked great, and tasted like flavored water. Extremely disappointed

Serving type: can

08-04-2011 01:19:06 | More by Jammies

johnnytfresh245

Missouri

2.42/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured this beer from the can into a glass and was a liked the light color of the beer. I didn't like the smell and maybe next time I'll just keep it in the can. It smelled like citrus but not hop citrus, but as if there were some additions other than hops to aid in the citrus-ness. I was also a little put off by the body. I know this is a light beer but it feel really dry to me. Overall this is not something that I would seek out

Serving type: can

08-27-2010 20:10:49 | More by johnnytfresh245

jrallen34

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

On tap into 4oz tasting tulip...Poured a light, clear and watery copper with light head that doesn't last...The aroma and taste to me are super generic versions of an English ipa. Sugar and caramel come through mostly with watery metallic hops on the back. The feel is too watery. Surly mostly nails it, but to me this is a macro versions attempt at an esb.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2010 03:12:15 | More by jrallen34

steve8robin

Massachusetts

2.9/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Extra in a trade...

A: Perfect. Golden copper with a thick white head that slowly fades.

S: Smells super hoppy. Super grassy with grapefruit.

T: Super hoppy and grassy. Not much else going on in this brew.

M: Not bad. Somewhat refreshing.

D: Not very smooth. Hops really overpower this brew.

All in all, not being a super hop guy, this brew did not do much for me. Too much of that grapefruit / grassy flavor. If you like it dry and hoppy, this is definitely a brew to try. If you like malts and sweets, then avoid this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2010 06:00:27 | More by steve8robin

edbeered

Minnesota

2.93/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I had high hopes for this beer. While I've never cared much for it on tap, I hoped that the cask version would be better(take for example the Summit IPA, which is terrific on cask, but the cold version leaves me, well, cold). This beer(disapointingly) is just a warmer version of the cold Bitter Brewer. Served on cask, this pours a hazy amber color, with a frothy white head and ample lacing on the glass. The smell is malty with a hint of lemon. The lemon smell is an overwhelming flavor in the beer. It's hard to taste much else, although there is a bready malty flavor as well. The mouthfeel is rich(typical of Surly brews). There is just too much lemon flavor in this beer for me to appreciate it. This is a rare misfire for an otherwise terrific brewery.

Serving type: cask

06-24-2008 02:36:41 | More by edbeered

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at Prachna's.

A: good light brown color
S: mild to medium, with light roasted malt and some grapefruit
T: good, nice malt with somewhat mild grapefruit finish, a bit unusual after-taste (acrid, almost sour), off-taste?, also a bit watered down
M & D: average

I've had BB recently in a can and it was much better overall. I'm wondering if the barrel was just older.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2010 16:32:42 | More by wisrarebeer

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.05/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Can at PPRBSG09. Pours a clear orange with a white head. Aroma of orange juice, citrus, melon, and iced tea. Flavor is slightly watery with melon and citrus notes. It's ok, but kinda meh.

Had this again a few weeks later and had the same impression.

Serving type: can

07-11-2009 16:27:36 | More by LilBeerDoctor

ballenc

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This English Bitter pours a golden-tinted orange color with a smaller, one-finger white head that quickly dissipates leaving very littel lacing.

As for aroma, I don't pick up much of anything - what little I smell is primarily a malty, bread-like yeast nose mixed in with faint citrus notes but overall the aroma of this beer is a bit of a disappointment.

The taste of this beer is definitely balanced yet I am again a bit disappointed that nothing of note stands out. The hoppiness of this beer can be described as mild (at best). Mainly, much like the aroma, the taste is predominantly biscuit-like malt and bready yeast but even those are not overly memorable. Any note of citrus is limited to the front end and does not linger at all.

This is a relativley light-to-medium bodied beer wth a modest about of carbonation. Overall, the beer is somewhat dry on the tongue and has a nice, clean finish.

Definitely a session beer that has a low ABV and may be better on a hot summer day. Overall, I prefer beers with at least one quality that is memorable. This beer doesn't do it for me. I look forward to Suryly's Cynic Ale which I think is one of their better (if under appreciated) beers. While this isn't a beer I plan on drinking much of, I do think it is a nice, easy drinking local brew that will appeal to some beer drinkers who are turned off by some of the bolder brews from Surly.

Serving type: can

05-11-2008 23:38:30 | More by ballenc

amphion1065

Massachusetts

3.18/5  rDev -21.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to mashmaster for sending a few of these my way. Can from 6/6/11 poured into a tulip.

Bitter Brewer pours an orange, coppery gold. It's very nearly clear, with a one-finger white head that quickly dissipates.

Quite an aroma on this one. I can detect hops, with a pronounced citrus smell. The hop profile is secondary to the malt backbone, which is rich with a caramel, almost toffee-like sweetness.

There's a muted hop presence in the taste, with a little accompanying bitterness. Some honey, but this doesn't quite deliver on the malt's aromatic promise. It almost seems like something's missing here - a little flavor, a little more character.

It's tough to dock this beer for being too thin, but it could stand a little more carbonation. The feel is a little dull.

Eminently drinkable, but ultimately unexciting. I have a feeling this would have been a dramatically different beer in June, and I imagine that it's great on cask. For now, I can't see myself seeking out another can.

Serving type: can

07-27-2011 00:42:25 | More by amphion1065

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep transparent amber orange with a large bubbled cream colored head. The nose is very hoppy, orange peel and leafy hop with a bit of stale biscuity bread up front and notes of tea. The flavor is less hoppy and has a bit of an empty finish, very tea like, some herbal leafy hops, with some underlying biscuit. Thin body, well carbonated, lacks depth in finish.

Serving type: can

09-25-2011 23:03:32 | More by cpetrone84

AgentZero

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Copper colored beer with not much of a head, no real retention on it. Looked a bit watery.

S - Smells like an english, with english malts, caramel and a bit of sugar. Some sort of odd vinegar quality to it.

T - Tastes alright, but there is definately a little bit of vinegarness here. English malts and slightly metalic.

M - Light bodied, moderate carbonation.

D - It's semi-easy to drink, but should be easier at 4%.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2010 19:45:03 | More by AgentZero

harrymel

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Canned 28JUL11 A: pours orange with an ephemeral foam cap finishing in a central dome over this excellently clarified beer. No lace. (3) S: Some citric hops over a malty base layer. The malts may be a hint oxidized and it shows with a cardboard character. (3) T: Lots of pale malts and some nice sweetness from the oats give this a rural taste. Subtle and simple. (3.5) M: Thin with hi carb. The carb is sharp and a little too much for the body. Semi dry finish. (3) O: I could take it or leave it. I make a mild ale actually that is similar to this. I wouldn’t call it world class, but certainly sessionable. (3)

Serving type: can

11-12-2011 07:04:49 | More by harrymel

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz can poured into an imperial pint. 4% ABV, IUB - 37, no date.

Thanks to beerwolf77 for this can of Surly.

A - A vigorous pour from the can leaves the brew a clear golden amber honey color in the glass. Motionless, there seems to be no carbonation feeding the dying off-white head. It started out at two fingers but depleted to a wispy layer with little lace.

S - For an English Bitter, Bitter Brewer sure smells like a massive load of American hops is in it. Pine comes first and foremost followed by resin and a little citrus. Given time, the American hops seem to mellow slightly allowing the English malts to pull through. Toffee and caramel notes are added then.

T - The malt presence is scarce with hints of caramel coming through slightly. It's mainly a boatload of hops on the tongue. Still, it's lacking. A bit of pine and light citrus fruitiness. Minerally finish.

M - Body? What body? This is light and bland overall with a thin, slick feel from a lack of carbonation although that does fit the style. The finish, as the name might suggest, is bitter. But not face-strippingly so. The thin feel and overall lack of substance is killing this for me. A little mineral hardness on the finish as well.

D - Bitter Brewer for the win! ...in drinkability. I could pound this down, especially in the summer, but I wouldn't particularly care to. It goes down smooth and easy but it's just bland and bitter.

Serving type: can

08-13-2010 23:59:22 | More by BeerFMAndy

ZAP

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Lighter bodied session style ale...

Very interesting aroma of tangerines and just like the can says orange marmalade. Has some of the same aroma that Surlyfest had....I should know I had about 15 of them last fall and got burned out on them a little at that point..

The taste is pretty hopped up...Some floral notes and a real drying finish. Not real complex.

I'd call it light bodied...leans towards the high side of light bodied but more light bodied than medium bodied..

Getting some garlic/oniony burbs as I drink this...not real pleasant to be honest.

Overall...not a bad beer but not one I would purchase again.

Serving type: can

06-19-2008 05:04:37 | More by ZAP

alcstradamus

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A--Nice copper color with a sticky white head

S--Light citrus hops, oranges and pine. Seems to be a nice malt backbone

T--This is most definitely an English style beer, although that is not a good thing in this case. Almost non-existent hop taste or bitterness, and a bit of a watered down biscuit taste. The flavor isn't subtle, it is just weak, period. Perhaps my can is not fresh...but I doubt it.

M--Medium body, but the watery taste makes it seem thinner than it is

D--Not much here to enjoy once it hits the palate (other than some tasty burps). There is nothing offensive about this at all, but the burps should not be better than the beer. Very average brew.

Serving type: can

07-07-2009 19:23:51 | More by alcstradamus

blackearth

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -18%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on-tap in a pint glass at Stub & Herbs in Minneapolis, MN. Has a bright amber body with a thin white head. Toasted malts dominate the aroma with hops coming in a distant second. Medium bodied with a spicy carb bite, this beer has woody hop flavors up front followed by malt sweetness, then a fairly long hop finish. Drinkability was okay, but half way through I was looking forward to a differnt beer. This is the first Surly offering that I didn't fall immediately in love with.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 16:38:02 | More by blackearth

afksports

New York

3.35/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

There are better things to do than watching Barry Sanders Jr.'s highlight videos on YouTube. True.

But with a Surly beverage it can't be that bad. Even if it's the last of a trade that you saved because you really don't like the style. Not one bit.

Still, this is as good as I can see the style being. I'm actually drinking and enjoying this. It pours crisp and clear amber with nice head and terrific lace around the glass. The nose is a little floral, mostly hops, and not too much else. It's not a big smell, but it's not a big beer either. Taste is hops, floral, citrus, and (per the can) toasty malts, followed by bitter bitter bitter. But not too bad - not a hop or a bitter assault. Just... toasty and crisp.

An easy drinker at both alcohol by volume and its light to medium body with tasty finish, this is a better bitter.

Serving type: can

01-06-2011 02:07:42 | More by afksports

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.43/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Canned on 5/7/13.

Appearance: Caramel honey colored brew with a lot of small particles in suspension below a one finger frothy off-white head. A bit of clarity but the hop matter (or whatever those bits are) get in the way of a better appearance.

Aroma: Quite bready in a graham cracker sort of way. There is something in there which reminds me of Grain Belt Premium, like an orange peel or marmalade.

Taste: A nice mellow flavor that has some girth to it at times despite its remarkably low 4% ABV. Starts with a bit of caramel malt and quickly gains a respectable 37 IBUs of hop bitterness. There is a nice sweet orange hop character and a peppery grain flavor that pair well. Finishes smooth and has a warm aftertaste of biscuit with lingering bitterness on the tip of the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Lively with a slightly below medium body and good amount of carbonation. Easy drinking and sessionable if you enjoy the style.

Final Thoughts: A decent beer that fits within style guidelines while still unique enough to pick out of a lineup. It's beers like Bitter Brewer that give hope for a future wave of low ABV beers being the craft beer trend. Would I drink it again? Sure.

Serving type: can

06-16-2013 00:14:26 | More by JamesMN

barefootbrewer

Mississippi

3.48/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Clear amber/brown with very little head.

S: Hoppy initially yielding to a malty sweetness. Some cereal notes are present.

T: Big bitter taste with grains apparent. Very hoppy - almost like drinking a light hop tea.

M: This is a thin brew.

D: This beer is much easier to palate as it warms a bit.

Serving type: can

07-19-2008 16:17:45 | More by barefootbrewer

EGledhill

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

thanks to beerbeagle for the opportunity to try this one.

poured into pint glass

A. copper color with white head that leaves quick and leaves little lacing.

S. Faint smell of citrusy hops present. slight smell of spice. not overly impressive.

T. again, not overly impressive at all. slight citrusy grapefruit taste to it. Sweet grapefruit. and hops.

M. thin to medium mouthfeel.

D. If this one appeals to you, you could probably pound these all night. I give it the points on that but definitely not my thing.

Glad to have tried it but not impressed at all. In fact not impressed with any of the Surly brews I've tried yet. Wondering if surly's just a victim of the hype train.

Serving type: can

09-27-2008 16:46:17 | More by EGledhill

nrbw23

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a slightly hazy orangish amber with a nice cream colored head. Head left a thin lacing down the sides of the glass.

S- Smells of hops mainly citrus with a touch of malt sweetness.

T- Actually a little disappointed in the taste of this one. Almost tea like taste with a touch of orange.

M- Light in body and nice carbonation.

D- Could probably drink quite a few of these but would rather go with something else like Bender or Furious.

Serving type: can

06-08-2009 08:56:51 | More by nrbw23

FreshmanPour77

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed 11-22-09
Reviewed cold from a can to a glass

A - Dark golden colored, good carbonation, 2 fingers of foam, good head retention with a nice layer of lacing.

S - Citrus notes, light hop smell, heavy on the malt

T - Dry bitter taste, citrus smell was deceiving, slight sweet malt taste but a strong bitter aftertaste

M - Medium bodied, pretty smooth in flavor though. Sat nice on the tongue.

D - Another good brew from Surly, bitter's is not one of my favorite styles but this one was a good eye opener. I could have another and I will, but not a brew that I could enjoy all night long. I good brew to share with others to introduce them to the style.

Serving type: can

11-23-2009 20:18:54 | More by FreshmanPour77

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks Ryan! Pours a hazy copper orange with a loose head. Nose is surprisingly big piney hops, caramel malt. Mouth is quite dry with a pretty long finish of pine, citrus rind, some caramel malt. Very dry and short, which is nice. Flavor hold true to the style while the nose is a bit brash, "arrogant" as some could say. Carbonation is high. A very dry mineral, wet pavement kind of flavor starts to creep ion, which doesn't really mesh.

Truth be told this isn't a favorite style of mine and while the nose isn't true to the style it's more enticing to me than the dry, bitter mouth.

Serving type: can

12-15-2011 01:46:42 | More by JAXSON

chugalug06

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
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