Soho Švītiņš
Alus Darbnīca Labietis

Pours a cloudy, reddish mahogany coloration with a small, fluffy head. Smells of bready, caramel malt and herbal, earthy hops, with a certain honey accent as well. Taste is a great balance of bready, caramel malt and herbal, earthy, slightly fruity and spicy hops, with notes of rosemary, subtle tropical fruit and peppery spice, as well as just a hint of honey. Finishes with a light/medium bitterness and some caramel malt, earthy hops and hints of honey lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

Although Galaxy hops certainly are an odd choice for the style, this makes for a really nice example of it anyway since the Goldings are clearly dominating here, with Galaxy only adding very subtle tropical accents and the herbal, earthy, spicy notes from Goldings coming though a lot stronger. One kinda has to wonder why bother using the Galaxy hops at all then, although I suppose that even those very subtle tropical accents do add an interesting twist on the traditional take on the style here, while this still firmly holds true to those traditional roots. Very nive balance of malt and hops, sweetness and bitterness as well.

I don't know what a English Bitter should taste like. I did like the offering from this Latvian brewery though. Great drinkability with simple but good taste. Malts and hops. sweetness and bitterness in balance. smooth. well done.