John Outhouse Special Bitter
The New Old Lompoc

This beer was similar to the Condor Pale Ale in many ways, but was a bit darker and maltier. It poured flat and headless, with little odor. The flavor was clean and full of malt, almost a bit roasty. Some light nuttiness and a warming smoothness. As an American bitter, it had a very low hop level and did not have much in the way of aromatics or bitterness. I'd say the beer could use a touch more hops, although it could be said that some of Lompoc's other beers are TOO hoppy. The flat mouthfeel was a bit unfortunate, but the beer was highly drinkable. Because of the roasty malt flavor and low hop level, this was almost close to a mild ale.

Sure looks like a bitter; dark bronze with a scant smattering of tiny bubbles occasionally rising to a thin, sketchy head. But the flavor is oddly sour-cherry with a peculiar aftertaste that manages somehow to sit at the lips. The taste points towards a kriek lambic though not as dark and not nearly as full-bodied. Of course, this beer aspires towards being a special bitter and in that regard it falls considerably short. The inherent bitterness results in a bitter-cherry aftertaste on the palate, in contrast to the more medicinal tingling on the lip.

Named after Portland’s first schoolteacher, a chap named Outhouse. (Bet his students had fun with that!)

I can’t bring myself to express any enthusiasm for this beer.