Young's Bitter - Wells & Young's Ltd

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

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

500ml bottle poured in a chalice.

A: Pours a golden orange bit cloudy color. Forms a medium white bit yellow aired head. Medium retention and some nice lacings

S: Smells like a good bitter :), I mean, caramel malts, toffee and grassy and citrus hops. Bready. Simple but pleasant

T: Follows the nose. A caramel upfront followed by a watery and malty body with a good bitter-grassy-pine-citrus hoppy aftertaste. A little bit metallic. In overall a dry and bitter taste, no sweetness

M: Very light wayery body. Nice medium carbonation. Reasonable ( an good!) hoppy bitter aftertaste

O: Very drinkable as a English Bitter should be. Nice one

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 18:55:48 | More by eduardolinhalis

dansmcd

Australia

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

A - Furiously effervescent clear orangey red amber body, beneath two fingers of soapy head which fades quick and leaves no real lacing.

S - Subtle malt aromas of caramel and golden syrup with some clove and faint fruity hops.

T - Follows the nose with the caramel and orchard fruit. Mildly bitter with a touch of metal taste.

M - Light body, watery, moderate carbonation.

O - It wont blow your socks off but I suppose EBs aren't really supposed to hit too hard. Pleasant beer for a quiet chat at the pub.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 12:36:58 | More by dansmcd

heygeebee

Australia

2.28/5  rDev -40%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a copper gold, I finger head good lace.

Aromas of sharp astringent English malts, and it actually smells like watered down beer...

Which it tastes of. Waiting to warm does not improve things. Along the lines of typical flavourless English dishwater, and I don't say that often.

Mouthfeel is alright but in gerenal I'll pass.

Don't think it has travelled well, but still within BB.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 22:56:41 | More by heygeebee

dgilks

Australia

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

Clear amber colour with a small, smooth light tan head. Fair head retention. Some lacing.

Light malt aroma with some earthy UK hops.

Crisp, sweet malt with some caramel and a light fruity ester profile. Nice enough.

Medium body with moderately-high carbonation. Too fizzy.

This is a nice enough beer and good for a session.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 08:49:52 | More by dgilks

cichief

Virginia

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

Had on cask at the Wargrave Arms near Paddington Station, London.

A- Pours a nice clear amber-gold, with a thin white head.

S- Somewhat hoppy, a little citrus on the nose.

T- Malty at the beginning, but finishes dry and hoppy.

M-Thin to medium on the body, carbonation nicely muted.

D- An average bitter, good, but not special.

Serving type: cask

03-06-2011 20:52:31 | More by cichief

Ochsenblut

Italy

4.13/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

From the cask into a proprietary nonic. Can't ask for much more.

A pure white two finger head sits atop a golden copper body. The head is full of big soapy bubbles that become heavy lacing after a few minutes.

It smells of floral hops perfume and yeast-heavy bread.

Crispy pretzel-like malts start, and fade to a punctuated hops profile. The hops bitterness last in the mouth along with a faint cracker taste throughout, leaving a satisfying aftertaste. The mouthfeel is slick and surprisingly bubbly for a cask beer. Although it goes down quickly, the robustness of the malt and hops is enough to make up for a watery consistency. All par for the course.

The execution is brilliant. It's high on flavor and relatively low on alcohol. I really like these aspects, and think this makes for a perfect session beer.

Serving type: cask

02-13-2011 18:27:27 | More by Ochsenblut

atis

Finland

4.18/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours clear amber with rocky head that fades almost immediately. Aroma is malt with citrus, mostly orange. It is subtle and compelling.

Taste is delicate light malt body balanced with floral hops, semi-dry finish and faint hops in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is light with moderate-high carbonation.

One of the most drinkable beers I have had lately, I am sure I will make some effort to find the version in the cask.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 20:06:10 | More by atis

Zimbo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Quite lightish golden almost resembling a pilsner. Thin fluffy head beginning smooth and light on the palate but as it hits just past the midway point there is some lingering tame slightly chewy bitterness that leaves a subtle yet surprisingly long aftertaste.
Probably lacking the character it once had but certainly more consistent. Still a pretty good ordinary bitter which remains a classic session beer.

Serving type: cask

10-18-2010 07:08:22 | More by Zimbo

joecast

Australia

2.23/5  rDev -41.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

light copper/golden color. a bit lighter than i expected. stable thin foamy head, just off white. medium carbonation.

interesting smell. lightly woody, leather, sap. fresh wood shavings. yeah, not sure where this is coming from. after shave. quite aromatic, but not like a beer i thought it would be.

umm, this is not right. strange overbearing wood/leather flavor. what i imagine a shoe would taste like. not a cheap shoe though. one of those expensive italian leather shoes. not that i would want to eat one though.

nearly didnt review this. its well with the bottle date, but i just dont think this beer travels well. check out the other bottle reviews from australia and they are all well below the average. its probably great from the cask, but avoid the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2010 10:08:51 | More by joecast

Trizzle

United Kingdom (England)

4.5/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

NYE 2009, Founders Arms Southbank.

My first Youngs on cask.. (Tap badge reads 3.7% not the 4.5% as stated here.. )

Barman poured to a honey orange perfection. 1/3" head that retained well, only slowly subsided and good lacing.

Not too much on the nose as to be expected. Some citrus, straw and dry malt.

Creamy toasted muesli malt at the start, a touch of biscuit and brown sugar. Light hop bitterness arrives quickly and lingers nicely. Very moreish.

Smooth as you like and quite thick on cask (for the style). Could easily drink all day. I'd say this is very fresh on.

The definition of a Cask Bitter for me.

Serving type: cask

01-03-2010 15:45:16 | More by Trizzle

JohnfromDublin

Ireland

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

This was a bottle I purchased in Molloy's off-licence, Dublin costing €2.99 for the 500ml.

Poured into a pint glass; a pale golden/copper coloured brew with bubbles rising and a nice lasting off-white head.
Not a whole lot of aroma here; I was a bit surprised at how subdued it was.

Taste was solid; nothing spectacular but a nice balanced bitter.

Overall a nice refreshing session ale; tasted more like a Summer ale.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2009 11:13:48 | More by JohnfromDublin

fullsweep

United Kingdom (England)

4.47/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

500 mL bottle poured into a pint glass.

Deep brownish-orange beer with a super-thick and rich beige head of multiple-finger thickness.

Smells great with a hint of orange and citrus fruit rind.

Tastes great. I'm not a huge fan of the bitter style, but is is nice. Complex and well-balanced with bitter and sweet flavors playing off of one another.

Mouthfeel and drinkability are respectable as well. ABV is slightly higher than your average English bitter (typically a session beer), but still very drinkable--especially in moderation.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2009 20:53:29 | More by fullsweep

vancurly

Australia

3.43/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

a) Pours an attractive pale orange/burnished gold. Nice fluffy white head settles into a 1 inch raft. Slight haziness, which I expect will increase as I get to the end of the bottle, kicking up the sediment.

s) Fleshy, meat pie-like. Warms to a grain & malt base, with some herbaceousness.

f) Marmalade, biscuits, slight gaminess that distantly reminds me of kidney.... but not in an unpleasant way. Good caramel sweetness cuts across the gamey note. Warms into some orange sweetness.
As with most English bitters, not very.

m) Fairly light, slightly hollow and watery.

d) It drinks very smoothly.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2009 10:21:38 | More by vancurly

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

On cask at a Young's pub in Camden Town, London. Had a half pint and it appeared a clear amber-orange. This was just a nice, classic English bitter with lots of dry pale malt flavor. The aroma takes a fruitier malt aroma. Overall, this bitter cleaner is on the cleaner side of the style, but worth trying.

Serving type: cask

05-04-2009 00:07:13 | More by tempest

juju7

Australia

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

Orange haze with an ample head, looks very inviting. Not a hell of a lot happenning nose -wise. A bit of malty action with some hop presence but it all comes together on the palate. Nice warming malt with beautiful lingering bitterness that you just don't see often enough in other beers purporting to be bitter. Very nice aftertaste, only had one bottle unfortunately. Went down a treat with devilled steak burger my missus made. Yummo.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2009 14:18:36 | More by juju7

laituegonflable

Australia

2.98/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a golden colour with a slight orange tinge. Good, steady carbonation. A bit of head when first poured, doesn't really hang around. Decent-looking, and very English.

Bit lacking fragrance-wise, but nice for what's there. A bit sour with a slight hint of citrus, quite a lot of hops, but could use more.

Surprisingly sweet on the front palate, elements of candied orange, but that's really it. Mostly watery and quite refreshing with a slight bitterness on the finish. Again, that's about it. Slight bitterness. I guess this is all in keeping with the style, smooth drinking with a minimum of flavour. Mouthfeel is a bit full, like swallowing soapy water. The body feels heavier than expected, given the lack of flavour.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2009 01:04:19 | More by laituegonflable

lacqueredmouse

Australia

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

Nice golden yellow body, with a full, pillowy and frothy head of white foam. Great lacing. Looks nice.

Nice mix of malt and hops on the nose. Notes of biscuit and wet grain, mixed with gritty organic English hop flavours. Quite vegetative. Very pleasant.

Tingly and raw hop bitterness on the palate. Absolutely what I picture when I picture an English bitter; quite raw and sharp with a dirty organic back palate of pure bitterness. Mouthfeel full at the front with a pleasant effervescence creeping up later on.

This is a nice beer - a very well made English bitter. Truly, not my favourite style, but a good example of it. Raw, robust and true to its name.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2009 01:38:44 | More by lacqueredmouse

Nickls

District of Columbia

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

(From notes)

A - Nice finger thick slightly off white head. Crazy lacing throughout the sample. Light amber color

S - Grainy beer aroma, with a touch of hop aroma. This was not the best aspect of the brew

T - Light maltiness at first sip; then onto tea-like hops...some herbal flavors. Sour biscuit dough yeastiness

M - Slick and almost creamy MF, next to no carbonation

D - Very easy to drink, and I would take this as my session brew any day. Fairly basic, but still interesting.

Overall, this was an interesting and well-balanced brew that I wish I were able to find in the US. Would very much recommend.

Serving type: cask

10-29-2008 02:42:47 | More by Nickls

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

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

Pint served in an imperial pint glass in a Young's pub off Fleet Street in London, i cant remember the name.

A- Copper bronze colouring with a rocky 2 finger head. Leaves a crown, moderate lacing. Served by handpump.

S- Light floral hop aroma and toasted malts.

T- Floral notes turning into a toasted malt flavour, with a nutty aftertaste.

M- Lightly carbonated and moderate chewiness.

D- A sessionable ale, not overly flavoursome
but easily drinkable with solid flavours.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2008 12:00:45 | More by seanyfo

goatherder

Australia

4.58/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Golden in colour with a slight haze and a decent sized tight foam. The aroma is a pleasant balance of sweet toffee malt, fruity esters and subtle hops. The taste is sweet up front with a rich toffee malt profile going right through into the finish. There is a firm hop flavour supporting the sweet malt, the bitterness being superbly balanced. The mouthfeel is full yet not cloying, making this an exceptional session ale. This is a wonderful beer, a great example of what can be done with a low alcohol beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2008 07:43:19 | More by goatherder

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.65/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Purchased along with Young's Kew Gold at the Waitrose supermarket - both are new products by the Wells&Young's in that they come bottle-conditioned! BB 31/03/09, served cool in a straight imperial pint glass.

A: light amber in colour, topped with a foamy white head fed by rather mild but constant streams of tiny carbonation.
S: just like the old Young's Bitter, Goldings dominate the aroma, accompanied by light sulphur, salty-sweetness, some dustiness, and zesty citrusness... overall, very light and very clean.
T: the first sip tells me that this is slightly different from the cask-conditioned Young's Bitter that I can remember, in that it's very bitter from the start with an extra dose of spiciness and clean zestiness, supporting the light maltiness just fine... long, dried-tea-leafy bitterness sits in harmony with the light malt flavour and aroma, while the texture is clean on top of the lingering chewy bitterness.
M&D: lightly-fizzy, but very well bottle-conditioned... It retains the freshness of a true cask of Young's Bitter, while the slightly higher level of bitterness contributes a bit more body, hence more drinkable to my liking! I have to say, this is a success in bottle-conditioning one of the beloved old tipples of London! I just wonder why it took them so long before deciding to do something like this, esp. now they're not based in the old Wandsworth Ram brewery anymore??

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2008 18:10:32 | More by wl0307

swizzlenuts

Wisconsin

2.68/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The beer is poured with a relatively large head and light brown colour. The had has a very good retention.

The smell of the beer is very malty with an alcoholic almost lager nose to it. The taste of the beer is the pretty standard bitter. Hoppy with an almost buttery/nut flavour to it. Not much flavour and it's very watered down. The mouth feel is pretty standard to bitters though.

It's not very drinkable because it tastes very bland.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2008 20:53:45 | More by swizzlenuts

marquis

United Kingdom (England)

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is a classic session beer in the true sense of the word.As usual in this pub (the Horse and Plough in Bingham) the beer was in perfect condition. About a quarter to half an inch of head which sat above a crystal clear bitter;it really looked the part.
A faint hint of sulphur on the nose-more like what I'd expect from a Burton brewed ale but the taste was classic Young's.Beautiful easy drinking!Superbly balanced and it just shows what can be done with low ABV.There was a real smack of malt in my mouth several minutes after finishing my pint.
I've just got to give full marks for drinkability because you could (and many people do) drink it all day.

NOTE The version I drank was the cask one which is only 3.7% ABV.The bottled version is 4.5% and clearly falls outside the "session" class.Many cask beers are beefed up to compensate for the dumbing down of flavours when put in bottles or cans.It doesn't really work but that's another story.

Serving type: cask

02-04-2008 17:39:47 | More by marquis

brendan13

Australia

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Dark golden colour with a few centimetres of white head. Big amounts of patchy lacing.
S - Malted grain aroma, some fruity esters.
T - Along the same lines as the smell but with a touch of biscuit malt.
M - Light bodied with a lowish carbonation.
D - Not much to this beer - just a good quality, sessionable bitter.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2007 07:23:44 | More by brendan13

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

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

This could be the last, or one of the last reviews of a Wandsworth brewed Young's beer. How fitting then, that the drink by date on the bottle is Saint George's Day next year. Stranger even still, I met my wife on the 23rd April, way back in 1976, we are still together, and she cleans my pants, now that is true love!

Anyway, back to the beer.

Light amber with an off white foaming head which didn't stay long. That might be because I reviewed it while eating Red Leicester cheese, sweet pickle and Hula Hoops.

The aroma was sweetish, with a nutty wiff to it.

Thie beer is a well balanced blend of hoppyness and a dry thirstquenching bitter flavour, to produce a fine English Bitter. I just hope it doesn't change to much once it is brewed in Bedford.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2006 18:11:32 | More by BlackHaddock