Better Year Bitter
Bull N Bear Brewery

Two finger head of modest density, surface remains agitated long after the pour, medium dark tan, long and stringy lacing. Liquid is a hazy amber-brown. Nose of glazed nuts, buttered croissant, cola bean, and toffee, understated fig and date fruit scents, gets a little smokier when it warms up. Medium-bodied and in the middle ground between dry and sweet. Good carbonation churn. Sufficient bitterness and metallic notes to keep it honest. More scone and biscuit, the toffee and milk chocolate get assertive now and then. Maybe some clove, in the manner of clove cigarettes. Tempted to consider it "peaty," particularly as an aftertaste. Some basic array of dried fruits plus apricot but wouldn't call this an especially fruity beer. The pieces generally hang together and the drinkability is high. Not enough breweries make the style so you almost forget what to look for when you taste one! (Canned 12/8/21)

Medium copper in color with an inch of medium density, khaki colored head that slowly receded to a nice ring, leaving behind decent lacing. Clear on the pour, then semi-translucent in the glass. Aroma has some faint fruitiness, but is generally muted overall. Taste has some nice, resinous characteristics with enough bitterness to keep things interesting, without completely overpowering. The malts are a little more subdued than what I would consider ideal, but the ingredients do all seem to work well together. Fairly light bodied with low carbonation. Easy drinking and very enjoyable.

 

Pint on draught at the brewery. I immediately like that it's not served too cold. It pours a dark cinnamon-cola color with a thin, light khaki-head and minimal lacing. The smell is delightful - like toast spread with toffee. It's soft but fragrant. The taste opens with sweet caramel/toffee with a hint of chocolate, along with heavily toasted bread and nutty, earthy char. It's nicely roasty. The finish has notes of spice and is surprisingly bitter (50 IBU). It's complex and features a great balance of of sweetness and bitterness. The mouth feel is full-bodied with a pleasant level of carbonation, and the 5.5% ABV gives it good substance. Overall, Better Year Bitter is outstanding. I appreciate any brewery that will offer this style and kudos to Bull n Bear for a really good recipe, well-crafted. The elevated bitterness and relatively high ABV give this ESB attitude.