Coniston Bluebird Bitter (Bottle)

Brewed by Hepworth
Style: Bitter
Horsham, England

You takes your chances when you buy a beer in a clear bottle imported from England as far as I am concerned. Luckily in this case there was no real cause for worry. The beer is a dark amber color with a compact white head. Minimal lacing. The aroma is lightly floral and musty hops. Medium-bodied with tart hops and fruit flavors. Some malt and grain asserts itself later, making this beer not really that bitter after all. The finish is lingering hops with a strange mineral water character. Overall not as bad as I was expecting, but not a beer I would seek out again any time soon.

500ml brown bottle. 4.2%v/v bottle conditioned. Poured a clear dark amber with small white head. Flowery fruit hops nose. Crisp yeasty taste, bitter but not overly so. Mouthfeel OK a bit watery.Bitter juniper berry finish. Its certainly different. Reminiscent of some home brews - must be the yeast.

Bright golden apricot colo, little head with small bubbles. Floral hop nose. Very light crisp w/ bitter finish some mid creaminess. Light body overall...Very clean

Bottle@ Bishops Arms South, Stockholm
As a bottled beer its ok. I’m no fan of UK bottled beers, and this is no exception. Nice maltyness, nice lable, thats it.

Pours a delectable, nectarine-like orange color with a thin but sticky white head. Sweet, succulent aroma, flowery, sprucey and clean. Very flavorful for a bitter, has some buttery notes on the back end and the frontal assault is hop based but not overdone. Slightly citrusy and tangy. Finish is dry, but does not leave you hanging. Excellent bitter, a style I’m learning to appreciate more.

Aroma: Malty, buttery aroma intermingles nicely with hoppiness. Some slight esters. All of these characteristics combine nicely. Appearance: Gold, clear, medium head retention. Flavor: Pale/Maris otter malt dominate above the hops, but the hops are there no doubt. Flavors balance nicely. Mouthfeel: Light mouthfeel with just enough bitterness to balance, making it VERY drinkable. Overall: Excellent Bitter. I could drink a TON of this. Very complex for such a small beer.

Deep gold, very clear. Citrusy and flowery hop aroma, slight malt. Flavor is a little sweet, caramel, balance towards hops. Good long bitter finish, and great hop flavor. Needs lower carbonation in bottled version, it detracts from flavor. Also has a neutral yeast character that I don't find appealing in bitters.

Bottle conditioned. Now brewed by Hepworths if I recall correctly. Floral hops in a slightly tired way main aroma of fresh fermenting yeast. Pleasant enough but neither really sweet nor bitter.