Summer Bitter
McNeill's Brewery

22oz bottle. No freshness date. Enjoyed quite some time ago- these are the notes:

Appearance- Light amber maple syrup in color. Unfiltered/cloudy look to it. The head was very responsive to the strength of the pour. A surprising amount of visible carbonation. Unlike other reviewers, I witnessed exceptional head retention and lacing.

Smell- This thing smells like 85% hefeweizen and 15% ESB. Not that this is a bad thing- it's just different than what I'd expect. Fruity hefeweizen ale yeast, cloves, mildly assertive hops (my guess is East Kent Goldings). A bit of palish malt.

Taste- Surprisingly strong banana and clove tastes. Sweet, yet over-powered with bitterness. Interesting. The head is creamy. Almost a hint of nuttiness. Overally, fairly complex for an oftentimes not so complex style.

Mouthfeel- Near perfect I'd say. Light-medium body.

Drinkability- pretty drinkable- perhaps more drinkable on tap.

Pours a slightly hazey amber color with a fast moving white headskie. Nice and mellow smooth with a big bite of hop flavor to round out the chew. Quite sweet actually, but the hops cover it up nicely with balance. Very easy to drink. I was at the end of my bottle before I knew it. Yet another quality McNeill beer worth seeking out.

Poured a light head that disappeared quickly leaving little to no lace on the glass. Amber in color toward the brownish side. Smelled of malt and light hops with a slight citrus finish. A traditional bitter in taste with a fuller body and light hop flavor in the mouth than other bitter's I've had. I would love to try this beer on cask.

Appears a light hazy gold with a white head that fades after a minute.
Smell is of malt/wheat with some hops and a tea like aroma.
Taste is bitter and light with bitterness that is hoppy, along with a grain and a lemony zest.
Mouthfeel is bitter and sweet with a lingering towards the back of the tongue.
Drinkability is ok...if there's nothing else around to drink.

Amber. Nice cask presentation, and again served at correct temperature. Aromas are similar to their other bitter, but the hops are definately more Englist in this one and the malts are more caramel and pronounced as well. Taste is less bitter and hoppy up front and more "English styleed". Middle is still gooey malts, with some caramel in the mix. Finish is less dry, but still adequate and refreshing. Mouthfeel is awesome again and drinkability is great as this is just so damn thirst quenching if not amazingly complex.

On cask at the brewery. $2.75 a pint. What a bargain! Hazy amber, with a thick dollop of casky head riding atop. Sadly, the head all but disappeared as the glass emptied. Malty aroma, with an agressive hop nose. Mild estery apple and pear. Light bodied and refreshing. Plenty of hops, considering how light it is. Malts are very mild. Citric flavor in the hops. Finish is nice and bitter. Quenched my thirst like a champ.