Black Diamond Bitter
Port Dock Brewery Hotel

 

Pours a rude red copper colour, head is minimal - cream in colour, nice sheets of lace cling to the glass. Not much carbonation. Appealing English-style brew.

Smell is quite sweet with a distinct crème Anglais kind of character. I'm not getting much hop but there must be some, because the malt is not overpowering. Simple nose though, fairly unimpressive if not unpleasant.

Taste has a great deal of that malt at the front, creamy with a hint of musk. Hops come through midway, quite herbal with hints of lemongrass and basil. Slightly meaty on there as well with fair amounts of bitterness, very mellow at the end. Leaves a slight herbal tea aftertaste. Not bad, simple English bitter.

Mouthfeel is a bit wet and thin, a little bit of glaze texture on the back, not bad for the style but nothing special.

Clean drinking ale, probably good as a cleansing ale though, not a starter.