Fuller's Chiswick Bitter - Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

FLima

Brazil

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

I had it within Fuller’s plant, couldn’t be fresher.
Clear golden color.
Mild but nice herbal aroma and hints of grains.
Sweet malty taste and herbal hops.
Light body with light carbonation and small bubbles.
Light English bitter, got it more refreshing and with higher drinkability than some similar peers, though I found it somewhat watery. Good as a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2012 18:13:02 | More by FLima

StJamesGate

New York

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pale brass with pitted white head that clings. Steely grain, sour melon and cut hay on the nose, opens into honey grahams.
Golden crunch biscuits with plenty of toast some woody and surprisingly floral hops.
Golden sultana finish and herbal linger. Light, watery but also oily, crisp.

Gets the hops across, especially for the strength. Oily body is unexpected and boosts the body in what's otherwise not gonna have much sugar in it. A very doable session bitter.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 22:37:23 | More by StJamesGate

cambabeer

Florida

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This is a good english bitter, but not the best. It's a little safe, to be honest. It's hoppy but could be more so, a little watery. It feels nice though, and goes down smooth and refreshing. British ale is just plain good, so an average one will still be worth drinking. Smells malty and grassy, but not too strong. With the low alcohol it makes a great beer to drink tons of. Worth getting, just a little on the safe side.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 01:35:19 | More by cambabeer

bark

Sweden

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The colour is gold-amber (10 EBC), the liquid is clear. The finger thick compact head is off-white, it sinks quite quickly leaving some lacing.

The smell is malty and smooth with lots of caramel and toffee. It is quite sweet. Smooth dry bitterness. Dried fruits; apricots and red apples. Subtle notes of dark bread.

The taste is smooth. Caramelised sugar, dried apricots, dark toast bread. Hints of tart fruits and flowery hops. A delicate bitterness with some metal. Medium body. The aftertaste is mild with more malts and dried fruits, but also growing notes of minerals. The finish is semi-sweet with some hay.

The carbonation is medium to mild, the small bubbles smooth. The liquid is semi-smooth and a little dry.

This beer got some problems: The metal hints in the bitterness, the somewhat dense minerals in the finish. Still, it is one of the best 3.5 % beers around.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 19:10:44 | More by bark

rarbring

Sweden

3.65/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

The beer is light copper toned, medium sized bubbles with a white head, leaving some lacing, small curtains.

The smell is mainly from the hops, grass and nettles, but also some honey and lemon.

A typical Digestive biscuits taste upfront, pears, then some lemon peel.

Low carbonation, refreshing and smooth, a dry finish.

A very nice low-alcohol bitter.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 12:22:43 | More by rarbring

eriktoyra

2.6/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: Pours a three finger head. It is White with uneven sizen bubbles. Crystal clear liquid colored golden/amber. Leaves lots of lacings on the glass. Looks very nice all in all.

S: Earthy. Rye. Hints of caramel malts and flowers.

T: Not as bitter as I expected. I expected to find some bitterness in a Bitter, but this one lacks almost all the bitterness. Tastes rye bread, hints of English hops and green paprika.

M: I was surprised to find it rather heavy. The carbonation is strong with lots of bubbles tickeling the tongue. The alcohol is barely present, naturally for a beer of 3.5 ABV.

O: For being a beer I can pick up any day from my local grocery store this one is quite OK when compared to the alternatives. I wouldn't buy it on tap if I had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 17:03:36 | More by eriktoyra

cervezango

Bolivia

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

this is a nice beer, but its a little whimpy compared to msot proper english bitters ive had.

hopsy(needs more), earthy(best part of taste and smell, i wish they could've accentuated this aspect more somehow), sour, watery, buttered popcorn.

above average beer , but far below par considering who makes it(fuller's)

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 01:29:47 | More by cervezango

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On cask at a Fuller's pub in south London.

Very light golden colour with a quickly-dissipating head. It is light bodied, as one would expect from such a low-alcohol session ale. Flavours are still fairly impressive, though - bread, grain, and floral hops with a delicate, subtle bitterness. Extremely drinkable and refreshing while still providing satisfying flavour.

Serving type: cask

01-06-2012 19:26:24 | More by

IPA4LIFE

United Kingdom (England)

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured out of a bottle into an imperial pint glass with a best before date of 2 Jun 2012.

A- Light gold, just a shade or two darker than your average pilsner. Head rises quickly and falls just as fast, leaving just a few bubbles at the top of the beer. There is very minimal lacing.

S- Nothing to powerful here. A bit of malt character, almost like the smell of raw barley, with a moderate floral kick from the hops. Nothing really impressive as far as smell goes.

T- As one would expect with an alcohol content so low, the taste is very mild and nothing stands out as a dramatic, defining characteristic. This beer, rather, is the sum of it's components; a subtle sweetness from the malt combining with mild floral, earthy notes from the hops. Not too bitter on the aftertaste; it leaves more of a slight tingle than the typical tongue-numbing hop bite.

M- Light and smooth. Great for a low-alcohol bitter.

O- This beer is not the bold-flavorful "hop forward" beer that many of my fellow American hop heads would expect, but it is an excellent English Bitter. For a beer with such a low alcohol content, this beer still comes through beautifully with a light, easy drinking, flavorful beer. Great session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 12:54:56 | More by IPA4LIFE

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Bottle my parents brought back from London. From notes.

A - Poured a coppery colour with a one finger white head that went fast. Bright with mild carbonation. No retention, no lace.

S - Earth, some citrus, mild malt. Grassy. Nice malt base. Nice biscuity/hoppy aroma.

T - Grassy, herbal, bready. Good malt base again. Toffee and citrus too.

M - Mild carbonation, light-ish body. Very light bitterness. Clean.

O/D - A nice bitter. I've had this on cask at the Fuller's brewery and it tasted better there, but I enjoyed the bottled version too. Great flavour for the ABV. Definitely a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 21:20:38 | More by tbeckett

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

3.4/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 500ml bottle with a BB of Aug 2011.

Poured into a Sam Smith's pint glass. A clear golden-amber colour with plentiful carbonation. Yields a small head of frothy white foam that subsides after a minute or so. Aroma of caramel malt with hints of diacetyl and dry aromatic hops.

Tastes of light malt with a mild bitterness. Notes of caramel and flowery aromatic hops, with a subtle background hint of diacetyl and solvent. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry. Faint aftertaste of light, bitter malt.

A decent bitter, though probably better on cask. Aroma is a bit weak, but the flavour is nicely rounded with a definite hint of aromatic hops (sadly lacking in many 'session' bitters). Drinkable if you don't want anything too challenging.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 21:51:54 | More by jazzyjeff13

rvdoorn

Netherlands

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look: the beer pours a clear orange-copper color, with a nice fluffy light brown head.
Smell: Malts, honey, caramel, and flowery hops
Taste: Malts, caramel and honey with low bitter hops in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: low-medium carbonation, medium body.
Overall: Nice brew, the least hoppy of the English bitters brewed by Fullers.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 14:49:19 | More by rvdoorn

DoubleJ

California

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On nitro at The Englander, appropriately served in an imperial pint glass. On to the beer:

Translucent light copper in the body. Shiny. The thick creamy head from the nitro-tap forms a good deal of lacing that sticks to the glass. The nose brings simple esters and a little husk note.

At first, I get a sourdough note which quickly fades away for good. In comes some simple esters, and later on as the beer warms up, the taste of honey. It tastes a little stronger than its listed 3.5% ABV, and it feels more full bodied that expected.

I was thirlled to find the Chiswick Bitter in the US, even if it were on nitro. I wouldn't mind doing a few pints in a session, even if it's supppose to be a shadow of itself stateside.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-03-2011 04:08:44 | More by DoubleJ

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On cask at Kickoff in Waterloo.

Poured into a Fuller's Honeydew glass. Medium amber hue, clear, with only a bit of bubbly foam around the edges, as can be expected.

Nose is tea, caramel, floral hops, a bit of bread.

A nice mild bitter, really hit the spot after a long bar shift. Tea, bread, caramel, usual suspects. A bit watery, but that is to be expected.

Thin-bodied, mild carbonation, easy to quaff.

As far as a session bitter goes, this wasn't bad at all. It took me about two pints of this to finally figure the brew out and train my mind not to see this as Fullers Light, but rather as its own entity. As a mild ale, Chiswick went down easy with a low ABV and decent cask ale flavor.

Serving type: cask

03-16-2011 01:41:28 | More by JohnnyBarman

Sigmund

Norway

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

Cask conditioned at the Blackbird, Earls Court, London (a Fuller's pub). Served at cellar temperature, minimal natural carbonation, low head. Golden to amber colour. Moderate citrussy aroma, hints of horse stable. Light bodied, decent bitterness. A nice little beer this one, but nothing to knock your socks off. (I admit I really wanted the ESB, but ratings are ratings!)

Serving type: cask

02-14-2011 17:54:11 | More by Sigmund

DaveHS

California

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

On cask at The Blackbird (Fuller's Ale House) in Earl's Court, London.

A-Pours a transparent ruby with a thin khaki head that reduces to bubbles. No lacing.

S-Mild. Pale malts, traces of bright hoppiness.

T/M-Very subtle. Flavors of roasted nuts, fresh baked bread, oats and creme brulee. A bit hoppier than the average English bitter, which is a plus in my book. Soft and light with a lingering finish.

D-Given the plethora of other options, this wouldn't be on the top of my list. Still, it's a fine beer, and one worth seeking out.

Serving type: cask

01-11-2011 12:39:46 | More by DaveHS

BeerLover99

New Jersey

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

A: orange-yellow hue, with cloudy head.

S: earthy, grain

T: slight bitter with grainy sweetness.

M: nice carbonation blend with smooth body that goes down with ease.

D: Solid English bitter, sessionable, could have more, but there are better representations of this style.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 18:28:05 | More by BeerLover99

womencantsail

California

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

On-tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad

A: The pour is a copper sort of color with a short lived cream colored head.

S: Certainly a strong bread character to the nose that is much of what the aroma is. A light note of grassy and earthy hops, too.

T: The flavor exhibits a fair amount of grassy and herbal hops with just a subtle bitterness. That said, biscuit and bread malts provide the bulk of the flavor.

M: The body is medium with a moderate carbonation that gives the beer a bit of crispness.

D: This fits into the style well; light in flavor and easy to drink. Not overly impressive, but not bad by any means.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2010 03:02:58 | More by womencantsail

Trizzle

United Kingdom (England)

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a finger short of a full pint at the Churchill arms notting hill. (or Kensington?)

Minimal head fades rapidly. No amount of agitation helps.. No lace (obviously). Clear and light amber in body.

Subtle aroma of light biscuity malts, fresh cut grass and some more traditional English hop aromas. All very subtle.

Light and delicious malt body, like London Pride turned down a notch. Great hit of grassy and dry hops. Finishes very dry and very moreish. Not as complex as some of
my favourite bitters (eg Youngs) but still great for a session.

VeryLight body as to be expected. Smooth as you like with perfect drinkability.

My first chiswick bitter after finally working up the wontons to not go for my favourite fullers: London pride. Definitely worth the visit.

Serving type: cask

08-21-2010 13:45:11 | More by Trizzle

dolzan

Slovenia

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Amber, golden appearance with a nice head.

A very nice, flowery smell and taste, the hops is there all the time, but very gentle, as are other flavours. Possibly even a little sweetness in the finish. Quite complex, and very, very, drinkable, a true session beer.

One of the best bitters.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2010 21:05:59 | More by dolzan

plaid75

New York

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft at The Chip Shop, Brooklyn, NY.

Poured a medium copper hue with a wispy white head. There was nobretention or lacing.

The smell featured a soft grain and a light grassy hop.

The taste consisted of round malts and a balancing grassy hop.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style. Light carbonation.

Overall a light session ale. A good standard bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 16:28:52 | More by plaid75

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had this on tap the Bull's Head Public house in Lititz, PA. Served chilled in a pint.

A - A clear tea-like color of medium copper w/ thin white cap, ringe of lace clings. Small bubbles rise to the top, the bead is fine

S - A mild orange tea arom a w/ subtle hop scents and mild fruit ester from the yeast w/ light herbal hints and mild sweet malt odor.

M - The feel has a moderately high carbonation level w/ light (3.6%)body and subtle tannic drying edge w/ subtle nuttiness and mild tang w/ tingge of hop which adds spice and malt is more toasted w/ gentle dry finish

T - The bitter's flavor is mildly yeasty w/ a nice touch of malt and tea-like herbal hops accenting the lightly sweet flavor in the finish. The taste is very mild w/ a bit of orange rind and light golden apple notes w/ toasted, nutty but not quite biscuity malt w/ mild bran flavor and light hop spice. The beer finish is long and dry

D - A great beer for a session - quality english bitter which is very quaffable. This fits the style well and at 3.6% I could drink this all night probably and still not be bored.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2010 14:02:52 | More by Slatetank

DerBayer

Germany

2.15/5  rDev -42.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

I didnt like this beer very much - a subpar Bitter which was too strongly hopped. A Bitter trying to be an IPA - not good!

The smell and taste was of pungent hops with some Butterscotch nptes and fruity Esters but the whole "composition" seemed kind of random...

I would not drink this again except in an emergency where I needed hops and lots thereof to survive!

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2010 22:06:19 | More by DerBayer

Mandrake

Nova Scotia (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a bright, clear copper, with a sizable white head that dissipates a bit quickly and leaves virtually no lacing. Smell is quite nice, mild Goldings bitterness over light caramel and crady malts. Light tropical fruitiness and a hint of tea. Taste is weaker. Most of the bitterness is lost, and it winds up being too sweet and one dimensional. Mouthfeel is awfully watery and much too thin. Drinkability is fine, but it's not something that I feel compelled to return to. Fuller's is one of my favourite breweries, but this is quite a letdown.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2009 21:08:48 | More by Mandrake

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at beerbistro.

Pours a clear golden, thick white head forms and slowly settles down to a nice ring, good retention, lace spots all over. Smell is interesting, light and fruity, apricots, toasty malt, honey sweetness, lightly floral. Taste is similar, quite light but nice flavours, neat apricot fruitiness, some floral, oats/cereal toasty malt middle, hint of sweetness in the finish, no real bitterness. Mouthfeel is light bodied with medium carbonation. I like it but not much of a bitter. Doesn't have a kick in the finish, so comes across as a little weak.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2009 18:46:43 | More by Viggo