Mariner Mild
Fitger's Brewhouse

 

 

Growler purchased/filled last weekend at the Brewhouse. Poured into a Surly Imperial nonic with a medium-dark brownish mahogany body with a small, unresilient off-white head and decent lacing.

Nose is moderate but reasonably complex maltiness. Nutty, grains, biscuit, and lightly toasted malts. A bit of diacetyl, which is somewhat pleasant but unfortunately, not really called for in this style; British doesn't necessarily mean buttery. Extremely light floral hops.

Flavor is toast, grains, dark fruits, nutty, and a dry, vinous aftertaste.

Light-bodied and lightly carbonated. Very soft mouthfeel. I know that this style is meant to be drank on cask, and I could see this thing being fantastic.

English bitters and milds don't seem to take off too well on this side of the pond, but this is a very solid beer. Overall, probably one of the best representations of the style I've had since spending a semester in England six years ago. Light, but not lacking complexity. Extremely drinkable. Just wish I had a firkin sitting on my desk instead of a growler.

Just too plain for me, I was digging for flavor the whole time and that wasn't too fun. There was a touch of cocoa-caramel malt, but it was mostly just creamy tasteless experience that reminded me of Boddington's on nitro, but blander. It's hard to get a decent mild and this one didnt stand up.

Originally reviewed April 29, 2005. On tap at the brewpub. Clear dark brown topped witha full finger of super creamy and fine light chocolate head. Aroma of grass, earth, sheep barn, peat and oats. Interesting flavor complex as it warms on the tongue. Eart and grass continues, but backed off by strong diacetyls in the form of rich fresh buttermilk. This fades into a toasty burnt hazlenut profile. Combine all of this with a rindy and musty Cashel Blue cheese in the back ground. This is all riding on a waterfall of rich and bold roasted oats. Watery, lightly carbonated, and light on the alcohol, but very drinkable and smooth, with a smack of hoppy bitterness.