Lime & Ginger Bitter
Harviestoun Brewery

On tap at Burp Castle in NYC.

Pours a clear golden. Topped by a dense, white head that sticks around quite awhile. The aroma is dominated by the spicing: mostly ginger with a subtle hint of lime.

Overall this beer is very neutral. There's a slight malty undercurrent that runs throughout, and a finish that has ginger spiciness, citrus and a hint of bitterness. Light-bodied, moderate carbonation and a light dryness in the finish.

Not overly spiced which was good, but not a lot of flavor otherwise.

Had at BSP a few weeks ago.

A - clear, golden body with a thin white head

S - a clearn smell with some sweet malt and maybe faint hints of lime

T - a bit of bitter citrus notes presumably from the lime, pretty crisp

M - almost a bit too watery for me. Bit of carbonation present

D - well, due to the lack of body this went down quickly. The flavor is sort of interesting, but for the most part it's boring and this beer seems pretty limited in drinkability. I certainly wouldn't have another one of these

Hd this on tap at the Brick Store during their 11th anniversary celebration. Not as bad as the original reviewer has made it out to be, but admittedly, not exactly the shining star of the Harviestoun portfolio either. This is their take on a shandy, which are sometimes spiced with ginger and lime. Unlike most shandy's, which are often quitee sour, or quite sweet, or both, this is neither. They have instead opted to play down the sugar and sour and have them act as accents while simultaneously increasing the raw ginger flavor. I understand their thinking, inasmuch as they are attempting to preserve more of the "beer" flavor and highlight less of the shandy flavor, but it is not altogether succesful, and the additional flavorings in the beer are mostly a distraction, or not not really discernable. Raw, unsweetened ginger has a very different flavor and effect than sweetened ginger does, and here is tastable only really as a spicy notee at the back of the throat, and while its flavor is clear, it is also fleeting while some of the spiciness remains to sting a bit. The pour starts off okay. poring a pale golden with a good, thick, white head that sticks around and creates some decent lacing. The smell is yeasty, and there is a hint of dusty lime leaves and some generic spicineess that must be the ginger but smells somewhat nuetral. The taste is a bit thin and also has a surprising bitterness on the finish in addition to the ginger spiciness right at the end. No hint of lime at all in the taste, and as such is a bit one-dimensional. The mouthfeel is quite light and crisp, and the ginger has the peculier effect of leaving a lingering spiciness with no flavor while killing the finish at the same time. I can't say I really recommend this beer, as it doesn't really deliver what is promised. That being said, while I didn't think it was that special, the one I had was pleasant enough as a hot day refresher- but there are just so many more interesting beers that will do the same thing. I think some more malt sweetness in the beer would help bring more pronounced ginger flavors out, as long as the malt used was clean and light to keep the character of the beer intact, and much more lime is needed- or in a different form- for it to come through. I've ocassionally enjoyed a bottled English shandy- for what it is- and this beer could be so much more.

Not sure who's briliant idea it was to make this beer at Harviestoun, but it wasn't a good one. These guys make so many great, interesting beers, was it really necessary to make something like this?

On tap at Max's the other night. I was warned not to get it, but against the advice of the bartender, thought I'd give it try. Should have listened to the bartender.

The beer pours a golden color with virtually no head or lacing. Not a very good start. The beer smells every bit as bad as it looks, with aromas of wheat, light honey and corn. I really don't get much lime or ginger, but maybe there's a hint in the background. The beer is not completely wretched on the palate (unlike certain lime flavored versions of macro swill we all know about), though the flavors are very light and watery. However, it's very clean tasting, and the hint of ginger and lime is not awful. Mouthfeel is light and watery of course, but I guess it might quench one's thirst if you were hot and thirsty. Not surprisingly, the abv. is not noticeable (assuming there is any alcohol in this stuff - I'm not completely certain such is the case).

While not complete swill, this is a very disappointing effort from Harviestoun. In fact it barely qualifies as beer, it's that bizarre. Obviously, I will not be ordering this beer ever again.

I had to double check google to make sure this beer actually exists and is made by Harviestoun. Alas, Google verified that such is indeed the case.

7/12/08 Update. Max's has now put this beer on house special, which is usually a pretty good indication they are having a difficult time selling it. I can't say I'm surprised.