Shakespeare's "Plonk"
John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House

Had some wine from the cardboard with this one on 6/9/2006. Imperial pint, served in same, at the Harvard Square location.

Bartender said this was an English-style bitter, and I had no reason not to believe her. 1/2-inch bed of froth dies slowly to a nice, full ground cover and a tremendous amount of stick. Light golden hue, touching on sun-baked straw, with a light haziness and a bunch of action going on throughout. Welcoming wet maltiness hits the nose along with a dusting of clover and a hint of honey to round it all out. On the tongue, hop bitterness is smoothed out perfectly with some caramel malt, a sprig of spruce, and a light, toasted note; just a bit of nuttiness poking around.

Entirely sessionable, and appropriate for World Cup viewing.