Hope Street Bitter
The People's Pint

Got this pint in a store in Greenfield, MA not far from the The Peoples Pint brewpub, which was not open the day I was in town. This beer is now called 'Hope Street Amber', as I feel that the 'Hope Street Bitter' title was a kiss of death in terms of marketing. It reads on the back that 'the Hope St Amber is a classic example of an English Special Bitter, where the sweetness of the barley malt balances the bitterness of the hops'. I enjoy breweries that still have traditional brews on the menu, and in the can! Cheers to The People's Pint!

 

I haven’t been going out to drink lately and have never loved fresh fresh beer at breweries-it has often made me too woozy. Last Friday I went out to the People’s Pint in Greenfield and when I saw this beer on the menu I asked for a taste-it was yummy but I knew a pint would be too much. They sell 5 oz glasses so I bought that and really enjoyed. It was crisp and smooth on my palate with that delicious English Bitter classiness that I love-no syrupy weight that I associate w beers sold at a brewery. I love an Extra Special Bitter and this did not disappoint. I bought a second 5 oz glass and wouldn’t mind another rn. People’s Pint is closed in Sunday though.

Sampling a cold 16 oz can poured into my snifter. the beer was purchased at the brewpub a few months ago and has been in my fridge since the purchase. The beer pours a bright clear amber color with some ruby highlights. A fluffy eggshell white head foams up about1.5 cm after the pour and then fades quickly to a thin edge layer and a small island on the surface.
The aroma is a mix of caramel and some nutty malt, hazelnuts maybe and also some grassy and pine sap hops. Well balanced nose on this brew.
First sip reveals an average body with crisp texture and very fine tingly carbonation. Beer drinks very easy based on physical traits.
Flavor is similar to the nose with caramel and some general sweet maltiness. This gives way to some grassy hops that give a bit of an dry astringent bite. Again, well balanced brew that goes from one end of the spectrum to the other.

I never detect any sign of the ABV, which makes sense at only 5.1%.
The beer is a nice example of an ESB. Im glad to have tried it and would give to others who are fans of the style. Worth a pickup when in Greenfield.

Acquired a 4-pack of 16 oz. cans - my first taste of this product as I hadn't previously seen it available in a can. I'm surprised at the relatively low ratings to date but note that there have been no ratings since 2017. I wonder if the 2019 version differs somewhat from earlier years as I found the can of Hope Street that I just consumed to be a fine example of an ESB. Although apparently marketed as a spring seasonal, I don't know why it wouldn't be enjoyable in any season.
A very pleasing blend of malt and hops with an ABV of 5.1% - glad I purchased more than one. Also, since I've never visited the brewery, glad for the availability of cans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board listed it as an amber ale. Hmm.

Pours a nice amber color with a decent head into my glass.

Malt and hops are mellow with not much in the nose to point out other than the usual.

Sweet malt with a light touch of caramel. Hops are to a minimum as expected for the style.

Lingering sweet malt/ hop essence in the mouth.

Very good. Relaxed. Rarely see many ESBs on tap.

Pours medium orange with a foamy, cream colored head. No lace, no retention.

Some over-toasted bread and hops in the nose. It works.

Over-browned bread crust bitterness, some earth (which I kind don't like), some vegetal bitterness, a little burnt toffee (without the sugar-sweetness). Hits in some areas, misses in others.

Medium bodied, needs a bit more carbonation.

Overall, it is ok. Has some flaws, but is still drinkable. Kind of a cross between an English bitter and an ESB.

The scorecard, please!

Color: weak iced tea
Head: where?
Aroma: not in this glass
Taste: watery, bland, weak tea... uh... did they forget the hops? the malt? the yeast? They certainly didn't forget the water. Is this just a mislabeled bottle of Lipton?
Body: none; zero carbonation, not even a teeny bit

Yep-- People's Pint, for sure. If you like your beer flat and unwaveringly mundane, this is the brewery for you. I've had at least half a dozen of their beers and this one lives up to their fine, low standards. I'd like to believe I got a bad bottle, but I know it isn't so. I give up on PP-- this is by far the worst American beer, let alone the worst bitter, I've had.