John Courage

Brewed by John Smiths (S&N, Heineken)
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Tadcaster, England

Um, kinda surprised to see it’s retired since I just had it on tap at Strangebrew in Manchester, NH last night. Very nice amber color with a nutty/mild hoppy aroma. NIce malty taste.

Retired? Must of just happened. (not that I’m upset or anything). Had it on tap at the Crown & Anchor in Las Vegas just two days ago. Pale in appearance and light in taste, it stays too long in the middle of the tongue. Tastes more dry than bitter.

On tap at brewpub. Deep golden and clear in color with a little head. Hoppy and malty aroma. Malty and hoppy flavor. Nutty. Smooth tasting. Very hoppy nose. Medium bodied. Nice beer.

For the record! tThis rating is from draft beer only! Awesome Malts.. nice nuttyness..delicious!

This isn’t a bad beer, but who decided it’s a bitter? Taste’ like an amber or a dark lager even, decent malt character and dry finish.

I always thought this was an amber. Prolly cause it tasted so much like one. As an ESB it is awful. As an amber it has a decent caramel malt finish and decent mouthfeel. Similar to thinner Smithwick’s in some ways. Compared to say Fuller’s ESB it really is a different beer altogether.

Amber liquid poured from a bottle; good, cream colored head that lasted; good lacing; not much flavor, but hop sourness as an aftertaste. Not much body, watery feel. Not objectionable in any way, just not much to write home about, either.

Bottle. Dark honey with a short-lived, soapy off-white head. Nose: light caramel malt, biscuits and white grape juice. Taste: biscuits, raw almonds, and honey. There is a barely detectable hop bite in the aftertaste.