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

angusdegraosta

New York

4.13/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'm a big believer in English ale, and now a believer in English ale from a can. Wells Bombardier is a fresh-tasting offering, cold from the fridge, and as it warms a bit, as with any good ale, you can feel its glory. I agree with other reviewers - glad this was not a widget can with a nitrogenated head. Doesn't need that. The head is fine, the aroma of malt and English hops plenty evident. The only bitter I can compare this to from my limited experience is Fuller's ESB, which I have had quite a few times on tap in Canterbury Ales in Huntington, NY. So far the malt and hop flavor profile of ales in the bitter family are among my absolute favorites in beerdom. You will get that one-of-a-kind malty, aromatic goodness even from this can of Bombardier. Perhaps the only thing better is real ale, freshly casked from the brewer; barring that, give this a try. Very recommended.

Serving type: can

01-02-2012 22:27:14 | More by angusdegraosta

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

AlexanderCsamaj

Pennsylvania

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

Damn, this is good beer. I could watch soccer, baseball, football, even basketball all day long guzzling this brew. Goes great with sausages, cheese, or any thing else being served at the bar.

If you like English pub ales, you will enjoy this brew. One of my favorites from the tap, bottle, or can.

Cheers.

Serving type: can

12-30-2011 19:06:22 | More by AlexanderCsamaj

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- tall boy can, not nitro. clear coppery amber with bright orange highlights. the foam is expansive, beige and increasingly rocky as it settles, leaving a big shriveled clump in the center of the glass and thick sticky lace. best bitter i even seen.

S- lively floral and fruity hoppy aroma of lilies, raisins, melon, toffee, orange blossom honey, a bit of spice and citrus, and sweet toasted malts. goldings are put to good use.

T- damn fine beer here. there's a fruit raisin tartness from start to finish, sweet and toasty malts balanced by a mild earthy bitterness, and distinct mineral water flavor along with peppery hop spice in the finish.

MF- claiming to be a real beer, it sure feels like one, and i believe it. very glad there was no widget in this can. full juicy feel, with perfect understated carbonation. on the website however, reading about the brewing process and the 'beer to bar' section, they talk about maturation tanks for canning and bottling and adding extra co2... so doesn't that make it NOT a real ale? the catch is, they call it real beer, not real ale. just thought that was interesting. feels great though, easy drinking with moderate dryness.

D- I can't believe it took me so long to get a hold of this one, i guess the opportunity never presented itself. it looks absolutely amazing, feels just as good, tastes and smells awesome, and drinks like a champ. and the modest abv means this 4-pack will not live to see the 'morrow. old chap.

Serving type: can

12-05-2011 07:33:40 | More by hustlesworth

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

WMEugene

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On cask at Churchkey, from notes.

A - Pours a clear amber color. One-inch thick and creamy head with great lacing.

S - Solid mix of malts and English hops. A classic English "pint" smell - nothing too strong, but pleasant enough.

T - Creamy balance of malts and mild hops. Delicious and everything I'd want in the style.

M - Smooth, easy-drinking brew. Thin-medium bodied and what I expect from a cask brew.

O - I found the Bombardier to be a classic and great example of the style. It's an inviting brew that can be enjoyed as a one-off or as a "session." I would love to have this one on cask again.

Serving type: cask

11-29-2011 02:16:56 | More by WMEugene

Kendo

New York

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

A: Got it on tap at the Olde English Pub in Albany, where they serve it in a large (20 oz) dimpled mug. . . . Body is coppery-amber with a small off-white head. Leaves behind some lace.

S: Not much power to the nose - tea-like, floral and a hint of fruity sweetness.

T: Fruity malt underneath - ripe apples and apple skins come to mind - with some caramel malt sweetness as well. I'm also getting a touch of smoke, which seems odd. Finishes semi-dry and fairly clean.

M: Call it the lighter side of medium in heft. Carbonation is nice.

O: Good, but that smoky flavor detracts. Also a bit too fruity for my preference.

Serving type: on-tap

11-23-2011 16:59:53 | More by Kendo

sfprint

Germany

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from Oct 20, 2011, exp 3/16/12

A: Dark tea, 1/2 finger head, transparent, zero rising carbonation.
S: Sweet copper malt, cream soda, berries
T: Mildly sweet, fairly mild flavor, tea like, a tad sour, neutral, mildly bitter
M: Astringency is timely tied to carbonation sting, which are both mild.
O: Decent, bit on the bland side.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 17:49:25 | More by sfprint

EmperorBevis

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a slightly darker than I thought pint with crisp white head
and hoppy aroma.

An aroma of malt hits the the nose.

A slight hoppiness of taste and bitter kick
a good tasting beer just not great.
Far better on cask but isn't that obvious.

okay I guess a standard to set a C grade from

an old faithful

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 23:31:48 | More by EmperorBevis

airforbes1

New York

3.58/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours red-orange with a thin head. The aroma is not quite what I expected. In addition to smelling a typical butter smell, I also smell some mint.

The taste follows the nose as I taste butter, followed by some mint. It almost as a medicinal quality. The hops don't make much of a presence. The best quality of this beer, to me at least, is its mouthfeel, which leaves a strong coating in my mouth.

This beer is pretty good, but it didn't have the taste profile I was expecting or had hoped for.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 03:29:03 | More by airforbes1

KDawg

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from bottle into a pint glass. Pours a dark copper color with a small head

Balanced and aromatic with grains, malts, sour tones and some toffee.

medium bodied and more on the lighter side with flavors of toffee, grains and malt tones

A quality bitter. Balanced with good bitter tones and a long finish

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 03:40:33 | More by KDawg

sdsurfer217

Ohio

3.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a tulip glass

A: Two fingers of dark beige head that laces the glass nicely. Dark amber in color, good amount of carbonation off the bottom.

S: Sweet caramel aromas, touch of biscuits and nutty characteristics.

T: Nuttyness comes through with a caramel finish. Pretty clean finish with lingering malt flavors.

M: Medium bodied with a slightly creamy feel to it. Lingering flavors invite me to drink more.

O: Pretty easy drinking English ale. Nothing remarkable about it to make it stand out, but its good and I could easily drink a few of these. Would be good with any pub/English fare.

Serving type: can

10-29-2011 12:31:30 | More by sdsurfer217

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

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

Stocky 500 mL bottle from the LCBO; best before June 2012. I've had this before about 5 years ago... I remember liking it but neglected to review it. I allowed this one to warm up on the counter a bit before serving.

Pours a an attractive deep amber-copper colour, clear but quite dark. Modest, light-tan head that seeps away to a soapy cap and collar after a few minutes. Good lacing. Pleasant, hearty aroma with toasted bread and biscuits, some nutty character, molasses and raisins. Some earthy hop notes underneath.

Tasty stuff - roasted nuts and grains alongside caramel/molasses sweetness provide much of the flavour, with plenty of dark jammy, fruity ester notes throughout the sip. These flavours are nicely balanced with the floral, earthy hops that come forward in the finish, along with some bittersweet baker's chocolate and peppery notes. Earthy bitterness lingers briefly on the palate in the aftertaste. Medium-bodied and mildly carbonated. Just a little bit buttery, moreso as it warms.

Not exactly simple, and not all that complex either, but it manages to be both satisfying and easy to quaff. A solid English session ale in my opinion - if you like bitters, this one is definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 03:55:45 | More by thehyperduck

heygeebee

Australia

3.7/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a beautiful dark mahogany brown. One finger head stays a while. Some lacing.

Smells of English hops, with toffee and fudge thrown in.

Taste is much sweeter than I would have thought. Caramels, brown sugar, syrup, toffee, fudge, almost into Doppelbock territory. No real hops in flavour. 4.5 for initial taste, but down to 3.5 after the bottle :-(

Mouthfeel is nice and solid, well away from the waterness that can prevail in English beers.

Good beer, albeit a tad sweet, hence down a bit in drinkability after the initial flavour burst.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 07:31:11 | More by heygeebee

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

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

Well's Bombardier English Premium Ale ALC By VOL. 5.2%, Drink of England.

Light brown color, clear, creamy toned head, lush and lace-leaving.

Aroma: bready malt aroma, toasty, lightly roasty. a touch of sweetness, hemmed in by hops.

Taste: dark malts felt first, caramel and toffee flavors emerge ever so, with a touch of fruit, in there, as well. Ripe apple, a slice of cherry. Fully flavored, smooth, and extreme only in drinkability.

There's nothing on the can telling us what style it belongs to, and I have nothing else in front of me, so I can only guess. Brown ale? Mild? A bit of both?

Medium bodied, lingering malty finish. Great sessioner. A good ol' drinking beer, when you just want something tasty and wet, and are in no rush to challenge your taste buds.

Serving type: can

10-11-2011 05:59:27 | More by feloniousmonk

Minkybut

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this beer into my tumbler at 45 degrees. The beer poured a really nice poofy head, luxurious like thick cream. The beer was amber colored and had a slight bit of a malty taste that I really liked. It was not bitter. I would certainly buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 22:27:26 | More by Minkybut

MCDuhamel

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 1 pint can into a pint glass, at fridge temperature. With an aggressive pour, it forms a large, loose, tan head that slowly recedes, leaving moderate lacing. Liquor is dark amber with light carbonation evident, quite clear. The nose is caramel, with a hint of something metallic, and a trace of spiciness. The flavor shows caramel, toffee, and green apple with a reasonably dry finish. Some English hops flavor balances it out nicely. Mouthfeel is moderate.

This beer improves as it warms; it really should be served at cellar, not fridge, temperatures. It's an excellent English ESB, and I prefer the canned version to the bottled. I applaud the brewery for not succumbing to the "widget" gimmick. The beer is, however, perhaps a bit over carbonated.

Serving type: can

10-01-2011 22:26:33 | More by MCDuhamel

fx20736

New York

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 25 oz bomber into a British Pint glass.

Dark, dark copper with creamy mocha colored head. Decent lacing.

Faint whiff of caramel with an apple grape fruitiness backed by an earthy quality.

Mouthfeel; soft and silky but full bodied.

Taste: Whole grain bread spread, with grape jelly followed by a peppery spice with an earthy hoppiness. The overall impression is dry fruitiness with a spicy, earthy, quality.

Notes: Wow, what a beer! A great looking beer with multiple layers of flavor. Well constructed, delicious, soul lifting. I'll be buying more!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 20:21:44 | More by fx20736

DavidST

Texas

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

Poured from a 500ml bottle into a pint glass.

This pours a very nice looking dark amber / dark reddish color with a nice off white head head. The smell is much more malty and toasty than anything else. The feel is medium. The taste is like the smells, lots of toasty malts a little sweet for a ESB the bitters / hop presence is low and nothing very noticeable. Overall this one was good, but I prefer a Fuller's ESB.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2011 21:51:57 | More by DavidST

david18

New York

3.6/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had an Imperial pint of this at a pub on a recent visit to London. In general I don't live british ales (they're a little malty for my taste) but I always like to try something new. This one was pretty interesting and a little strong than what you can usually get.

Appearance is a mid-to-dark brown. It was from a cask pull tap so the carbonation was a little light. Very cloudy.

Aroma was of bread and dark fruit. Quite inviting.

Flavor was a little intensely malty but not terrible. Bread, crackers, a little bit of dates.

Overall, one of the better british ales and worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2011 18:56:24 | More by david18

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

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

Presentation: Attractive 14.9oz can; best by date (1/28/12) clearly stamped on bottom. Poured into a Sam Smith's imperial pint.

Appearance: Warm mahogany with nice clarity, capped by a substantial antique ivory cap with good retention.

Smell: This is one that really needs to warm up before anything comes out. Out of the fridge, it's a bit metallic and doesn't have much going on. Getting closer to cellar temperature, this proivdes notes of pale malt, caramel, and some fruity esters. Still not tons of depth, and surprising lack of hops for an ESB, but still not too bad.

Taste: Simple and straighforward. Light pale malt background with hints of caramel and a lightly bitter, minerally finish. Light bitterness, but almost nothing in the way of hop flavor.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium-bodied.

Overall: Not a bad English beer, if nothing special. Definitely not as hoppy as some other English ESB's (I'm looking at you, Fullers) but the malt notes are nice here. Not really anything wrong with it, and it certainly kicks the butts of some other, easy-to-find English imports (and the fact that the brewery dates them is awesome), but there's not really anything that would lead me to purchase this again, if some other English options were available (Black Sheep, Fullers, etc). That being said, if someone handed me one, I'd gladly accept.

Serving type: can

09-18-2011 03:43:05 | More by BedetheVenerable

dave2k5

United Kingdom (England)

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

500ml bottle poured into a carbonated pint glass.

A: Very dark amber with light carbonation which I quite like, about a quarter inch head which doesn't quit. And a decent amount of lacing.

S: Bitter, hoppy, fused with a chilli/coffee smell maybe? Pleasing none the less, obviously a pleasant bitter smell to it too.

T: I personally found the taste naturally bitter with a hint of caramel, I didn't quite get the taste of sultana as the bottle had indicated. Hops were prominent and theres a pleasant tangy twist.

M: Very light carbonation which I think is nice with a beer, not so much that it leaves you burping up more then you can consume. Quite smooth, drinkability is excellent and while writing this have already consumed 3 quarters of the pint ;)

O: I was quite trepaditious about trying this as I've never tried it before and all I had to go on was the advert, which actually prompted me to buy it cos it made me laugh. But I'm glad I bought it because I've really enjoyed it. In the words of Rik Mayall... BANG ON!!

Happy drinking, Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 23:18:41 | More by dave2k5

puboflyons

New Hampshire

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

From the 25 fl. oz. bottle stamped 10/05/12-A-L1130-04:36. The pour is a handsome darker amber with just a small head. The aroma is classic British Ale with brightly sweet caramel malts and cleanliness. The body was smooth and in the medium territory with a powerful sweet malty taste and a decent bitter hop bite on the end. A fine example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 02:07:33 | More by puboflyons

kkipple

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

What's this? An English ESB, from England, in a can? Heavens rejoice! Grabbed on from Bruisin' Ales for a measly $2.25 for a 440ml / 14.9 ounce can. I've had this before (mostly on draft at the Brick Store, where it is a fixture) and have always enjoyed it. Let's see how the can treatment goes.

A. Basically, Bombardier is the bitter you've always wanted. This is a gorgeous clear chestnut-rust colored beer with a huge, dirty white head that majestically settles down to cover the surface. Yes, George, there is lace.

S. Easy malt (Maris Otter?) and light sweetness along with a stuffy, dry, toasty note that inspires. Some hops are here but reserved. There is also a sharp, almost cheesy, thing going on that I suspect is also hop-related. I like it. It all works wonderfully and is highly characterful.

T. Everything else follows - easy drinkability, some fine fruity, starchy esters, a wonderful and demonstrably "across the pond" malt bill that accents gently sweet and toasted malts. Add to this some hedgerow noble hops, a distinctly Earl Grey tea flavor and a wonderfully smooth and enjoyable mouthfeel and you have one of the best ESBs I've had. The can reads: "brewed with natural mineral water", and I think you can get some of that character here, still.

M / O. If you asked me if I wanted an English Bitter on any normal day, I might say okay, but if you asked me anytime if I wanted a Well's Bombardier, I would always say YES.

As an aside, I think the can is the correct delivery method for this beer. It's cheaper than the bottle and has a freshness date! (mine says 01/28/12). All hail Bombardier!

Serving type: can

09-01-2011 22:39:48 | More by kkipple