Wells Bombardier (English Premium Bitter) - Wells & Young's Ltd

Jenks

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Aroma – a nice biscuit aroma from the grain bill with just a slight chocolate note. May also have a bit of dimethyl sulfide . Some noble hop character does come thru but it is difficult to pinpoint or describe it.

Appearance – Pours a thin head which does hang around for the duration of the beer. Color is brilliantly clear deep reddish copper.

Flavor –Very nice British malt flavor profile; biscuit followed by a little toffee. I don’t detect any of the chocolate that I smelled. There is a piney/earthy hop flavor that plays well with the malt characteristics. Clean fermentation; no detectable flaws or imperfections. The yeast left behind plenty of body which bodes well in this beer.

Mouthfeel – Medium body. Moderate to light carbonation. No alcohol warmth. This beer is balanced on the malt side but there is sufficient bitterness. A small degree of creaminess. There is a bit of an aftertaste that lingers on the palate; slight astringency.

Overall – This is a good beer that turns into a great one as the drinking experience goes on. At first I felt there was an aftertaste that was slightly offensive but as I continued to sample the beer I could no longer detect it and that gave way to a very enjoyable beer. The malt flavor is the highlight of this libation with strong British character. The noble hops and British yeast contribute their roles and play them well as second fiddle. By the end of the beer I am left wishing I had more; not for tonight but another that I wanted a nice British ale. To improve it, I would like to see a more pronounced head and something to clean up the slight DMS aroma that is present.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 00:31:47 | More by Jenks

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.81/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

4.7%. Poured a healthy three finger head of off-white creamy head. Shows nice retention and good lacing. Colour is a clear ruby brown.

Smell is of fruity malt, bread, caramel, apple, floral and citrus hops. Light and crisp.

Taste is full bready malt, some sweetness toward the end. Slight sour apple citrus and roasty caramel. Floral hops add a nice estery bitterness. A lot of fruitiness, mild nutiness, light citrus bitterness. Nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel has a full coating smoothness, light soft carbonation, very smooth and sessionable.

Very easy to drink, tasty and balanced. Short on complexity but a nice session bitter. Satisfying malt body.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 21:26:50 | More by mick303

Juergentara

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Easy to drink with lots of malt and hobs; you can nearly taste some fresh tobacco. Not too strong; so ideal beer for people with some thirst and also "beer-connaisseurs"!

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 22:03:55 | More by Juergentara

doktorhops

Australia

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a bottle of this sitting in my fridge and I couldn't believe I hadn't reviewed it yet - almost drank it! Lucky I checked BA and found it was on my "to do" list (which is every beer in the world... it's a big list alright). Wells Mr. Bombardier, let's see what you've got!

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a nonic pint.

A: This English style Bitter presents with a deep cooper/brown body and ecru half centimetre head. Looks like a classic British Bitter.

S: Caramel malts are upfront on the nose, with floral hops, toasted biscuit, metallic twang and a hint of citrus in the background.

T: Begins with sweet toffee, then the caramel base kicks in followed by a Brown Ale nuttiness and finishes with subdued citrus/floral hops bitterness. That sweetness overpowers everything (just a tad) but that aside we have solid English Bitter flavours at play.

M: Medium body with light carbonation.

D: Nice drop, sweet? Yes. Too sweet? Depends on if you have a sweet-tooth. I like it, but can see where others might be put off. Also the metallic aroma didn't present in the flavour, which is always a good thing... unless you're a robot.

Food match: Just had Mexican (soft tacos), which you wouldn't normally associate with an English Bitter but surprisingly it works. Ole!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 10:11:26 | More by doktorhops

pkalix

California

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

dark tangerine pour, no discernible head. no rising bubbles.
sweet aroma, malt-y. smells very drinkable.
taste is sweet, malty, pleasing. nice qualities.
overall, very nice taste and very pleasing. typical range of abv content; expected and pleasing. i like the sweetness of this brew. it is not a stand-out brew but is one that can be had in succession easily.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 04:13:06 | More by pkalix

ckollias

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours an amber-brown hue with a one-finger white head with a decent trail down the glass that ends in a wispy lace.

S: This beer has a musty malty aroma.

T: Flavor is smooth and malty with a slight caramel background.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Decent brew – nothing special – but a good session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 02:07:00 | More by ckollias

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500 ml bottle into imperial pint glass, best before 3/22/2012. Pours fairly crystal clear reddish copper color with a 1 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. spotty soapy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of caramel, pear, apple, toast, biscuit, nuttiness, molasses, toffee, and light herbal. Very nice aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of caramel, toast, nuttiness, pear, apple, biscuit, toffee, molasses, light earth, and herbal. Lingering notes of caramel, toast, nuttiness, light fruit, biscuit, and toffee on the finish for a bit. Very nice balance of flavors that are quite robust; zero cloying after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a nice creamy and lightly slick mouthfeel that is very nice. Overall this is a damn nice ESB offering. Great balance of fairly robust flavors; very smooth and easy to drink. Really enjoyed this.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2012 02:59:26 | More by superspak

shand

Florida

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Wells Bombardier pours a clear ruby-brown with a small cap of head. The aroma is awesome and just what I want from the style. It's got an assertive, but not overwhelming amount of caramel malt, along with some nuts, bright fruits and a touch of pepper. The taste is a little less assertive than the nose and comes on gently with a bit of caramel before revealing everything from the nose at once - the caramel and nutty malts, the bright fruits, and the bit of pepper rush right in, leaving a nice, flavorful yet mellow aftertaste. Maybe a touch too much on the fruits, but otherwise solid. The mouthfeel is a touch over-carbonated, but otherwise nice. The drinkability is very good. Overall, this is a great ESB from a style I'm increasingly realizing I'll never fully unlock without a trip to England.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 00:58:59 | More by shand

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

500ml bottle served in a Pint glass.

A: Pours a dark amber copper clear color forming a big bubbled and very creamy beige head. Excellent retention and lots of lacings left

S: Sweet toffee, caramel malts and strong notes of flowery British style hops. In overall, it's a very "British" Ale

T: Slightly sweet upfront. Mainly composed by toffee, caramel malts and bready yeasts. Strong notes of citrus hoppy bitterness in the end

M: Light to medium body. Medium carbonation. A little bit molasses. Toffee and mild citrus hoppy bittersweet aftertaste

O: Good drinkability. Extremely British. Great session beer

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 18:27:33 | More by eduardolinhalis

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is crystal clear garnet red in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that died down, leaving a large patch of lacy bubbles on the surface and a ring around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of caramel, nuts and toffee in the nose from the malts. The slightest hints of fruity yeast are detectable.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste has light to moderately strong but a complex mixture of caramel, nutty and toffee flavors from the malts along with a slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied on the palate and has a low to moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The aromas and flavors are quite complex for a light-bodied beer. There is also a good balance between the malt and hops because it doesn’t taste overly malty. This beer is very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 21:29:20 | More by metter98

JerryOdom

Louisiana

4.1/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance is quite nice. Pours with a nice thick head that lasts for several minutes. Settles in to a creamy 1/8 inch with nice lace. Ideal color and clarity for this type of beer.

The smell is quite strong and lovely. I detected it while pouring from farther away than I'd usually expect. Rich malt with hints of dates and plum; deep caramel. For me the malt somewhat hides any hop aroma although it's there in the spiciness.

I find the taste fantastic for this sort of beer. Very smooth and rich tastes but not overly cloying which happens often with bitters. The sweetness is there and stays with throughout but it's very good caramel and plum. Bitterness is well balanced for my liking. Hop taste is more detectable as spicy to me. I think the herbal and earthy characters of the fuggle are hidden beneath the caramel and dark fruit tastes for me.

Mouthfeel is just what I'd expect. Carbonation is a little high for my liking. I let it sit a while to fade out. Smooth drinking with a good feel from that well staying head.

Overall I love this beer. Will drink it anytime I get a desire for bitter.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 03:27:34 | More by JerryOdom

Luigi

North Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured out into imperial pint glass with a rich amber color. Has a two finger with head that quickly settles down to a think blanket on top of the beer. Some sticky lacing as well.

The aroma is bitter sweet and malty. Has that quintessential English spicy hop to bring balance. Hints of plums, butterscotch and fresh bread.

The taste is dominated sweet toasted malts. Plums, butterscotch, and a spicy citrus from the hops. A little harshness (and I mean that in a good way) from the mineral water.

Medium bodied, with a semi-dry finish.

One of best English ESB's money can buy!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 19:07:32 | More by Luigi

cervezango

Bolivia

3.48/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

very cool patriotic look to the bottle , advetised as britans first brewery. amber/ tree sapp look to the body with a 1.5 finger of small bubbled head.

spicy(pepper) apple and malty to the nose.

very british tasting nice strong hops bite, with a dry malty aftertaste. a little pepper like the smell but bitter hops is prevailing . kindoff a simple taste but quite nice. a good classic bitter.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 19:40:22 | More by cervezango

BuckeyeSlim

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500 ml bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Pours a light golden brown that sets up a 2+ finger head of fluffy off-white foam, which very slowly collapses on itself and leaves plenty of lace rings around the glass. Held to a full-spectrum light, beer is a vibrant orange-red and clear.

S - Lightly toasted, bready malt mixed in with bitter flowering hops. Nose really has to be coaxed out of the glass. This is not a beer that you smell before you taste.

T - Gently toasted malts, light caramel, and simple fruit-like sugar up front. Definitive earthy hops show up in the finish to clear the sweetness / malts away and switch the focus. There's almost a hint of black pepper in the back end.

M - Somewhat fizzy and crisp. Above moderate, pushing full carbonation. Rather thin, but not watery. Body is on the light side. Finish snaps off the back of the tongue rather quickly, leaving a dry, refreshing impression.

O - This is a good beer to have with lunch - it would compliment most sandwiches well, such as a roast beef and cheddar with a soft horseradish sauce, or even fish-n-chips with a tasty, tangy tartar sauce. More hop-forward than the typical English brew, but not an American hopfest, either - it's an interesting juxtaposition of lightly toasted malts against straightforward bittering hops that delivers both sides of the coin.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 01:51:42 | More by BuckeyeSlim

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Orange brown in color, clear with tanned foam - a nice bitter look overall. The nose is clean, faintly sweet with a mild herbal tint.

Flavor again is inoffensive and mild but unspectacular. Clean and mildly sweet, herbal finish with a bit of buttery toffee. Body is thin, slightly metallic, and finishes very clean.

Nothing spectacular and not worth seeking out but solidly British bitter.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2012 01:12:41 | More by BretSikkink

killianf

3.55/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle into pint glass

A: Pours crystal clear copper with a 1-finger off-white head. Decent carbonation.

S: Hoppy, grassy aromas, spicy smells, rich toffee smells too when the glass is swirled.

T: Toffee and chocolate malt, with a slight fruitiness. Spicy characters too, with a malty finish and aftertaste.

M: The feel is thin and light-bodied. Medium carbonation on the tongue. It's smooth though, and easy to drink.

Overall: A bit of a disappointment, this was a fairly average beer for me. I can't say I'd recommend it but judging from other reviews I've seen online, some people really like it, so I can't say it's to be avoided either. Either way, average beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 10:27:22 | More by killianf

rangerred

Tennessee

3.35/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

500ml bottle poured into a nonic.

Appearance is a clear reddish brown with a thin white head that settles into a small layer.

Smells of dark fruit and caramel with that classic English character although not as strong as I have experienced in other beers of this style.

Taste is quite malty up front with a nutty character along with some toast. Dried fruit makes a quick passing with a moderately high bitterness quickly sweeping in. The bitterness is somewhat drying and lingers on the back of the throat after the finish.

Overall this is a fairly solid beer but not up to par compared with other ESB's I have had. I would have preferred a little more maltiness.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 02:09:06 | More by rangerred

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

2.78/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

550ml bottle purchased at Market Basket in Somersworth, expires 10-05-12. Pours a crystal-clear copper body with a thin crown of khaki-colored head. Smells bready and slightly spicy. Fresh-baked bread permeates the tastebuds. Hints of caramel and chocolate too, but only slightly. Light bodied with fairly low carbonation. Not much going on here, but a passable beer nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 01:32:20 | More by MrHurmateeowish

gtermi

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This pours a very nice dark brownish copper body with a thick tan creamy head. As the head slowly fades, it leaves a decent amount of lace on the glass.

S: Has a nice malty scents with also a decent amount of yeast.

T: Has a strong malty taste. It has a nice yeasty bread flavor with a bit of roasted malt.

M: This is a very smooth and easy drinking beer. It does leave a sort of dry feeling in my mouth too.

O: This is a very solid beer. I am not huge into bitters but this is very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 06:14:05 | More by gtermi

Digimaika2

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Clear reddish-mahogany colour with a tall and creamy foam head that sticks around for a while, clinging to the glass as it recedes.

S: Bread, caramel, citrus, floral, brown sugar, and dried dark fruits (dates, figs, cherries). Very good mix of aromas. Smells like a tug-of-war between the rich bread/caramel and tangy citrus/floral.

T: Buttered bread malt contrasted with citrus/floral hops, both in appropriate proportions to the tongue. Faint dark fruits are poking through and add to the malt base. Smooth and mellow.

M: Medium body with a moderate carbonation. Quite oily with an appropriately bitter and clean finish.

D: Very nice ESB that's easy-drinking. Surprised at the smoothness and mellow taste- Sessionable. Liking the contrasting (back and forth) malt and hop nature.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 22:59:20 | More by Digimaika2

NiceTaps

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a good beer mug.

A-Dark copper, reddish amber with a big creamy malt head. The head slowly breaks up 'clumpy' with good lacing. Good carbonation for an ESB.

S-A fruity malt smell that reminds me of the American beers of long ago. Way before what most American brews have become today. Can a beer smell 'dark'? If so, this one sure does.

T-It tastes like dark fruits, too. A sweet maltiness to start and cleansing bitterness to finish. Not hoppy.

M-Just enough carbonation to keep it from a watery feel. It has a bite.

O-A good looking and drinkable bitter.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 00:41:58 | More by NiceTaps

BeerGut4Life

Indiana

3.23/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a translucent dark amber color that glows orange when held up to the light. Forms a chunky khaki-colored head (about 2.5 fingers). Great retention and lacing.

Aroma is reserved...faint caramel malt and herbal tea notes. A bit fruity with a hint of ginger.

Tastes earthy with some buttery toffee notes. A bit reminiscent of orange marmalade on burnt toast. Has a slick, thin to medium body that dries up quickly with a bitter, leafy finish.

A middle of the road ESB. Feels a bit too dry and roasty...could use a bit more sweetness to balance out the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 21:43:56 | More by BeerGut4Life

capeannbass36

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

One pint 0.9 US fl. oz. bottle dated 22/03/12
Poured into a Sam Adams pint glass.

A- Crystal clear orange, amber topped with a one finger beige colored head that disappeared within 5 minutes. Very light lacing left behind.

S- Some malt. Some hops.

T- Not overly sweet. Some malt. Some hops.

M- Very light carbonation. Fairly creamy. Slightly dry finish.

O- Easy to drink. Only roughly 5% ABV. Really kinda bland for my taste buds.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 20:04:03 | More by capeannbass36

GratefulBeerGuy

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A lively amber, bright, thick and creamy cap and rather smooth look overall.

wow, amazing super-sweet malty aroma, dark tropical fruits, toffee, dark wheat and raisins with gentle hop spicey effects.

A dark malt, roastie wheat and raisins all over. Earthy, spicey hops, with woody and bourbon-esque notes for complexity.

A medium body with some complex and interesting layers, lush that becomes kinda light with a creamy finish.

A real treat from across the pond!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 22:07:56 | More by GratefulBeerGuy

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

500ml Bottle

Appearance – Clear dark copper colour with an above average size fizzy/frothy beige coloured head. There is an above average amount of carbonation visible and there is a good amount of lacing. The head lasted for 6 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, caramel/toffee, floral hops

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts, caramel/toffee, and some dry hops. There is also a touch of cherry sweetness. It ends with a malty dry hop aftertaste.

Overall – I found this beer to be a little boring and one dimensional. It basically just malts/caramel and some dry hops. I'll stick with a Fuller's ESB the next time I'm in the mood.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 18:26:46 | More by spinrsx