Holkham Bitter
Machine House Brewery

Poured from 16oz can into a dimpled mug. I don't see a date on the can.

Appearance: pale golden hue with a moderate haze and a few floaties, which are appropriate -- this is can-conditioned, after all! Head is a finger of frothy ivory foam.

Smell: the malt is smooth and soft, and the hops are earthy and gentle. It's not a strong aroma, but it's a comforting one.

Taste: there's almost a wheatiness to the flavor of the malt, and the hops impart a moderate bitterness that is not quite balanced by the light sweetness of the malt, but that just lets you know you're drinking a bitter. It doesn't wallop you, but the flavor is not subtle at all. I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a nice carbonation and a really smooth creaminess. I'm impressed how well they managed to get that "cask" feel into a can!

Overall: smooth, but just a little bit bracing, and quite flavorful for a 3.9% beer. I could drink this all day long.

Poured into a Sester stange. Pours a moderately hazy, medium light to medium golden amber with a half finger white head that dissipates to a thick film. Aroma of light biscuit malt, grassy and lightly citrus hops and lemon. Flavor follows, with biscuit malt, citrus and lightly grassy hops, lemon, brown bread and a little spiciness. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A pleasant domestic take on the bitter style, with mostly noble hop character but more lemony citrus from the Amarillo enhancing the Goldings. The end of the taste has a nice lemony character then a mellow bread grain flavor is revealed in a pleasant finish. Nice body for a lower ABV ale.