Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted (Bottle)

Brewed by Harviestoun
Style: Golden Ale/Blond Ale
Alva, Central, Scotland

On tap, but not cask @ the Brew Kettle 10/13/05: Hazy light amber w/ a lasting tight off white head. Herbal hops w/ a bready malt; diacetyl as it warms, medium high fruitiness w/ some green apples and apricots. Well balanced w/ buttery and herbal notes up front. A bit of caramel green apple flavor w/ a medium sweet finish and herbal hop aftertaste. Lighter body, but not watery, low carbonation, and a bit of a dry m/f. Drinkable enough, but diacetyl sort of takes over and becomes a bit overwhelming at some points and distracts from the overall enjoyment of the beer.

Amber with a good, white head. Grassy and somewhat fruity hop aroma. Good bitterness, some grapefruit on a slightly caramel background. Light body. Quite nice, though not memorable.

Bottle, from Sainsbury’s. Gold, good initial white head but shortlived, moderate condition. Low honey and grassy hop notes in the aroma, Gently fruity in the mouth with slightly citric grapefruit hoppiness, some tinny metallic undertones, a touch of caramel and distant chalky yeastiness. Quite honeyed in the finish with the hop bitterness giving it a slightly Bohemian feel.

Clear gold. Small, short lived white head. Looks crisp. Aroma of piney, resinous hops and strong malt backbone. In the flavor some citru joins the hop party and a bit less malt than expected by the aroma. Medium/light body, lighter carbonation makes it incredibly smooth even with the big hops. Crisp, clean brew with dry, bitter, citrus finish. Great brew, could drink a ton of it.

Pours a four-fingered cream head that fades slowly leaving a good lace. Clear, amber color. Nose is hoppy. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Starts hoppy but is not overbearing, Finish is clean with not much bitter after taste. A tolerable bitter. $4.69 for a 500ml bottle from Tully’s Beer & Wine Wells, Me.

Golden ale with a thin white head. Fresh hops in aroma, restrained and classy, with good malt base. In mouth, a souvenir of England, with restrained bitter fresh hops, honey notes, some nice little citrus, and those little treacle candies. Very nice. Bottle bought at Knightly Liquors, Orlando, 4.99$.

European style all around, esp in the yeast flavor and hop aroma. the nose is light and i was pleasantly suprised to find a nice heavy bitterness and hoppiness come through on first taste. reminds me of some american craft brews in the style, but definately carries a european flavor. kind of thin body though.

nice clear golden color with white head. skunky european hop aroma with some citrus and floral aromas mixed in. flavor more bitter than expected. nice hop bitterness throughout with very slight malt sweetness to back it up but on the finish malt disappears and you get a watery bitter flavor. palate is a bit thin and light. drinkable but not something i would go out of my way to get.