Coniston Bluebird Bitter (Bottle)

Brewed by Hepworth
Style: Bitter
Horsham, England

Okay, maybe it’s because I’ve had this on tap that I can only give it a perfect score. Of course, even the bottle conditioned version is right up there. If you see this being served up at your local pub, please don’t hesitate to give it a try. Just what an English Bitter should be.

I love this stuff. I keep tring new beers from supermarket but always come back to Coniston Bluebird Bitter. Never grow tired of it’s taste. Excellent with a curry. Wish I could find it in a local pub instead of the usual crap they serve.

Pours clear sparkling reddish-amber (maple syrup) with nearly no head, leaves no skim or lacing. Aroma is distinctive, notes of forest, juniper, pineapple mingle with the wonderfully floral and herbal hops. No trace of malt in the nose. Taste, again, is unique in my experience. Hops reign supreme with an initial bitterness that’s not at all unpleasant. It’s thin but complex. There are flavors -- marigold, pineapple, citrus, tar, even a bit of kerosene, forest mould, mushroom, chamomile, woodruff and bergamot (the flavoring of Earl Grey tea) -- that would be masked in maltier brews. The mouthfeel was thin, but seemed appropriate for the hoppy character. More fizzy and refreshing than watery.

Absolutely love the bottle-conditoned version of this. The hops come alive as this warms up. Nutty maris otter flavors and crisp yeastiness make this my favorite bottle-conditioned bitter

Interesting; the Northwestern US hop ethic exported to the UK! Challenger is much mellower than Cascade, lacking the citrusy punch, and this has quite well-defined floral/herbal notes with an extremely solid bitterness. I’d have pegged it for an IPA, if tasting blind. The maltiness is typically English, clean and slightly toffeelike and buttery. Overall there’s a touch of fruitiness as well, apricot as VENOM says, and maybe a little pomegranate. Amazing beer.

A good ’session’ beer. Mellow flavors, and a nice crispness at the end. Very tasty

A nice blend of hops and fruit. Mild, but very pleasnt.

Coniston Bluebird Bitter ABV: 4.2% Calories: estimated at 200C Volume: 16.9 fl oz Glass: 6 oz goblet Purchased at: West Trenton Fine Wines and Liquors Price per fl oz: $5 / 16.9 fl oz = $0.29 per fl oz Consumed at: Home sensory first impression: Much like an IPA in aroma, taste and body. Nice long bitter after taste. Citrus overtones. A very nice, spicy beer. Aroma/Olfactory: 9 out of 10 Malt flavor is: caramel, bread, hay, nuts, toasted Hop flavor is: resin, citrus, pine Yeast flavor is: dust, silt, clay, crisp Other flavors include: clove, raisin, walnut Visuals/Appearance: 4 out of 5 Color is: bright, golden, amber, dark tones throughout - beautiful contrast and clarity. Liquid is: clear, moving, sparkling Head and lace are: thick, frothy, white, with nice lacing. Taste/Flavor: 9 out of 10 Maltiness or Sweetness level is: medium Hoppiness or Bitterness level is: heavy Sour level is: light Palate/Tactile: 4 out of 5 Body or Mouthfeel is: light to medium Texture is: sticky, oceanic, gritty Carbonation is: soft Finish is: astringent, bitter, long Overall experience: 18 out of 20. I liked the flavor, body, head, lacing and other visual aspects. Very easily drinkable. The aroma is so very nice. This is a very well executed beer.