Surly Bitter Brewer

Not sure how many calories, but each can has around 52 grams of protein (looks like you already knew that though).

 

At 4.1 percent my guess (and 2 second google search) says 123 cals per can. I hear it mixes well with protein powder and cell tech, too.........

 

My coworker and I were just discussing the potential merits of a Bender in a Blender Bottle.

 

Looks like Surly is lowering the ABV on Bitter Brewer from 4.1% to 3.7% with the next release. That's pretty sweet!

 

Now I can give up drinking water completely. The CAMRA crowd must have finally gotten to them.

 

I'll have to try that when it comes out. Right now, I have Bitter Brewer at #4 in my MN-brewed bitters ranking, but the top three are all ESBs with higher ABV to go with it.

fwiw, my ranking is

1. Bent Paddle 14° ESB, 5.6%
2. Badger Hill MSB, 5.7%
3. Northgate Parapet ESB, 5.6%
4. Surly Bitter Brewer, 4.0% (last year's version I had at 4.0, not 4.1; don't know what my source was; probably the can, though. Either that or I wrote it down wrong.)

 

They're making it a little lighter in case the cans are un-carbonated.

 

I am looking forward to trying this as I find it hard to get lower ABV bitters in the states that are really good. Spent some times in the UK in a past life and really came to love the style. Heard great things about this one.

I had the Badger Hill MSB on nitro in their tap room last week. That is an unbelievably good beer and was amazed what nitro does. It would be awesome if they could package that somehow.

 

The Bitter Brewer is not really true to style in that it is too hopped up. I do like it, though. Very flavorful.

 

Among these choices, where do you reckon that you'd place the (now retired) Summit's ESB, were it still on the market?

 

Unfortunately, I did not ever try the Summit ESB.

 

When I first tried it, I did not enjoy Bitter Brewer at all. I had it super fresh this year and my goodness, with the new abv, this will be my go to beer this up coming summer.

 

Well, you certain about that? Ron over at Shut Up About Barclay Perkins may disagree with you.

 

Heck, even Surly agrees with me!

 

I've always assumed that was because of the use of American hops instead of British hops

 

I don't know. I thought this was a fantastic beer and am hoping they will bring it back.

 

Me, too, so I would have a chance to try it. It does seem odd that Summit, who seems to be more overtly English-focused than most, does not offer a bitter. FWIW, in the English pale ale categories, my preference would be for an "ordinary" bitter rather than a ESB, but that's just me. BTW, the Surly would be an excellent example of an "ordinary" bitter if only they didn't overdo (IMO) the American aroma-hops.

 

I miss Summit's ESB. Such a delicious beer.

 

Pffff..... who's worried about calories