Spitfire (Premium Ale Export) - Shepherd Neame Ltd

AylwinForbes

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Comes in a squat clear bottle that shows off the coppery amber hue. Upon opening, it is phenomenally carbonated, which I thinks rather impedes the mouthfeel. Apart from that, there is good flavor and body, a really quite dry bitter with considerable hop aroma.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2008 01:56:07 | More by AylwinForbes

whiterapid

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%

05-09-2013 03:45:21 | More by whiterapid

Vinicius

Brazil

3/5  rDev -18%

04-28-2013 02:18:15 | More by Vinicius

RaphaelSC

Brazil

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%

04-26-2013 06:22:06 | More by RaphaelSC

DarkForest

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

04-24-2013 03:00:18 | More by DarkForest

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

04-07-2013 15:17:14 | More by polloenfuego

jmccraney

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%

02-28-2013 14:17:21 | More by jmccraney

Aliano

4/5  rDev +9.3%

02-22-2013 19:36:19 | More by Aliano

sommersb

Tennessee

4.11/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Tasted On: 01-08-2013
Freshness: Best by 07-2013
Packaging: 500ml clear bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Tulip pint
Purchased: Received as a gift

Hmm, first review with new .25 increments...this is a brew my brother got in the UK for me

Attractive pour, with a clear bright amber beer capped by the tall, rocky off-white head. Both head retention and lacing are excellent.

Smells are crisp and clean; light malty sweetness of toffee and some breadiness, plus hay and spices from the hops and yeast.

Taste starts with sharp grassy hop notes. It's malty as well, but not overly sweet -- a nice balance here with the moderate bitterness. Spice flavors on the back end of the taste.

Mouthfeel has a light to medium body, with a high level of carbonation. Finish is bready and a moderately bitter aftertaste.

Overall I really enjoyed this pale ale -- a very well-balanced session beer.

Thanks to Billy for this one!

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 19:30:53 | More by sommersb

napetry

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +9.3%

01-06-2013 23:10:31 | More by napetry

Yoozeo

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%

01-03-2013 20:32:52 | More by Yoozeo

Keegan

Germany

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%

01-01-2013 06:07:21 | More by Keegan

coreHc

4/5  rDev +9.3%

12-25-2012 13:08:42 | More by coreHc

BartMcStout

Belgium

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%

12-17-2012 20:09:38 | More by BartMcStout

cfalovo97

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev -18%

11-22-2012 01:47:31 | More by cfalovo97

Animals

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

11-21-2012 22:59:02 | More by Animals

AlexNoVA

4/5  rDev +9.3%

11-15-2012 15:38:01 | More by AlexNoVA

innominat

Ireland

4/5  rDev +9.3%

10-07-2012 13:42:33 | More by innominat

Jetulio

Spain

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%

10-04-2012 10:16:54 | More by Jetulio

Maiacetus

2.75/5  rDev -24.9%

10-02-2012 20:17:35 | More by Maiacetus

ccrida

Oregon

3.43/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On cask at the White Hart in White Chappel, Spitfire is auburn with an off-white head leaving heavy lace.
Smell is lightly sweet, orange citrus. A slight off note reminiscent of city storm drain steam, which I could obviously do without. I thought it might have been a whiff passing through the pub at first, but I got it consistently over the length of the pint.
Taste is bright minty, herbal hops, a bit bitter on the finish with a nice cracker malt flavor.
Mouthfeel is light.
Drinkability is high, a nice malt flavor countered by the hops, in a balanced, restrained package. Just try not to sniff too much!

Serving type: cask

09-26-2012 23:56:52 | More by ccrida

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a good head of tan head, colour is a dark amber brown. Good even carbonation. Leaves a thin film and good lacing.

Smell is immediate out of the bottle. Fresh maltiness, a slight nutiness, apple, with a sweet toffee caramel note.

Taste has caramel malts, with some dry apple. Then a full bitterness. Flavour intensity is quite good, fairly traditional EPA profile. Finish is dry but without much substance.

Mouthfeel has a rolling carbonation, slightly cloying toffee sweet feel, medium body. Quite drinkable, bitterness dominates the end flavour. Quite dry, probably a touch more hops than expected.

Good classy pale ale. Quite on the dry side with healthy bit of hops bitterness. Not remarkable, but keeps it interesting and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2012 01:11:31 | More by mick303

CitizenGrain

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

08-05-2012 20:45:45 | More by CitizenGrain

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

07-24-2012 23:17:20 | More by rolltide8425

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml can served in a Pint glass.

A: Pours a dark orange clear color body forming an immense yellow tan head. Great retention and marvelous chunks of lacings left everywhere

S: Smell is quite particular. String citrus and piny English hops. Stingy and metallic. Sweet caramel malts too

T: Follows the nose. Sweet caramel malts upfront followed by the delicious hoppy bitterness. Again, stingy and metallic in the mouth. Grassy and VERY piny hops are a must here. End is a mild and pleasant bitterness

M: Light body, medium carbonation. Mild sweet upfront and mild hoppy aftertaste

O: Absolutely drinkable. Perfect session beer. Delicious British Bitter Ale

Serving type: can

07-21-2012 11:43:11 | More by eduardolinhalis