Autumn Bitter
Machine House Brewery

2026-01-25
16oz can served in a nonic pint. No date.

Pours slightly hazy golden brown, small head turns into a wispy dust with a two millimeter ring. Smell is nutty, honey, lots of grain.

Taste is nutty as all heck, whole grain bread and honey. Bitterness is maybe a bit in the woody direction, earthy, maybe more earthy.

Mouthfeel is light, smooth, maybe a bit still though that may be accurate to style. Very tasty beer.

Poured into a Samuel Smith pint glass. Pours a lightly hazy, medium to dark coppery amber with a half finger white head that dissipate to patchdes with light lacing. Aroma of biscuit malt, mild molasses, dried leaves and hints of late season spices; nice. Flavor is biscuit and rye malt, graham cracker, autumn leaves with a little tannin and hints of citrus rind and green apple. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. An interesting take on an English bitter; the malt is nice and biscuity with a touch of rye tartness. Hops are more complex than than the usual British Isles profile, with more citrus and a bit of earthy spiciness. Impressive flavor depth for a 4% ale. The flavor combinations are reminiscent of fall. Although I entered this one here in 2018, I don't remember having it before and did not save a review. Glad to try it now and I will revisit this next year in season.

C / AVERAGE

Handsome clear brownish amber brew in the chalice. Brewed with British WGV and Jester hops. Aroma is very slight, something grainy. The taste is quite earthy, as in dirt and leaf mold, followed by an eye-opening bitterness.

The rye flavor is quite intense, seeming to add to the overdose of bitterness. It would be admirable for the modest level of alcohol. This is all very interesting but it's not very drinkable. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Haggen Market.