Jack Russell Best Bitter

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

pleasant beer. on the malty side, with a barely noticeable hop finish, leaving me wanting just a touch more. a good enough session beer...that's about it.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

My first of a nice n' varied sampler pack that I ordered online from this particular brewery -- a brewery that is just a few miles down the road from where I spent a goodly portion of my coming-of-age years in the foothills of Northern California. Granted, that has nothing to do with whether the beer is good or not -- but does bring back some nice memories of growing up in Camino's uphill neighbor, the burg of Pollock Pines, CA.... Anyway, enough chit-chat, onto the beer!

Attractive beer -- that is to say, both the label is nice, and the beer itself is nice to behold in my pint glass. Ruddy-copperish, with a very mellow (but not laid-back or impotent!) amount of carbonation. Doesn't try to sell itself as "Real Ale-ish" by drastically cutting down on the carbonation, but doesn't have nearly the fizziness of, say, what you'll find from a Bass these days; and that is a good thing IMO!

This beer's aroma is right on the money for this style -- slightly grassy, a little earthy, but always quite welcoming to the nose.

Much of the same can be said for the flavor profile. Challenger springs to mind here, though could easily be the more traditional hand-maiden to Goldings, the ever-popular Fuggle hop. Either way, while this beer may be listed as "bitter", the brewer's had the good sense not to "West Coast" this beer -- i.e., over-hop the hell out of it for the sake of hopping it.... Perfectly balanced for the gravity and ABV%....

Quite easy on the mouthfeel -- the lack of spritzy carbonation, and the maltbill -- have a lot to do with that. My 12'er of this disappeared oh-so way too quickly it seems! Excellent drinkability, or should I say, "poundability"....

Not my first taste from this brewery, but my first ale from them -- and winner it is, too. Just a shame I didn't double-up on this one, when I picked out my own mixed sampler case from these guys online! Oh well, the order was blazingly quick and professional, so what's keeping me from ordering from the again...? ;^)

Music: The Obsessed's self-titled 1990 album.
//TB

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Medium amber brown color, Medium head. Aroma is malty and a touch floral. A medium bodied “bitter”. Malts are mild and nutty. Hops are citrusy, floral and bitter. A mild version of the classic English bitter. Very drinkable. It is somewhat over-carbonated. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is bitter.