A major step backwards - Surly Bitter Brewer

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by MNAle, Jul 14, 2015.

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  1. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    Surly has re-formulated Bitter Brewer for 2015. According to their Facebook page, "Bitter Brewer 2015 has been dry-hopped with Mandarina Bavaria, a new aromatic varietal hop coming out of Germany that has distinct tangerine and orange-like notes."

    According to their website, "Brewed with a significant portion of Simpsons Golden Promise, the malt character comes across as toasty, and the flaked oats provide some additional mouthfeel to offset the bitterness."

    Well, it does have the orange-like notes, faintly in the aroma even with the dry hopping, and an almost unpleasant aftertaste. Not even a hint of "toasty" malts, and certainly nothing apparent to offset the bitterness. This is an extremely bitter beer, with an aftertaste I don't like at all and hangs around way too long.

    A shame... I don't know what they were trying to accomplish, but it turned a local favorite of mine into a beer I won't be buying again.
     
    #1 MNAle, Jul 14, 2015
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  2. jera1350

    jera1350 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Bitter Buyer?
     
    #2 jera1350, Jul 14, 2015
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  3. shadetree67

    shadetree67 Savant (1,072) Sep 11, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    I didn't care for this year's release either. This must explain it because i used to like it alot
     
    #3 shadetree67, Jul 14, 2015
  4. dragonaut

    dragonaut Initiate (0) May 29, 2005 Iowa

    It definitely doesn't have the same toast and marmalade sort of character that made it a favorite of mine in the past. I knew the ABV was lower but hadn't realized it had been reformulated.
     
    #4 dragonaut, Jul 14, 2015
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  5. Boat

    Boat Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2014 Minnesota

    And I figured it was just me. I was trying hard as he'll not to say "last years was..."
     
    #5 Boat, Jul 14, 2015
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  6. mikevanatta

    mikevanatta Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2014 Minnesota

    I'll throw my two cents in ... I enjoyed this year's. I could tell instantly it was different but man, it was still so crushable.
     
    #6 mikevanatta, Jul 14, 2015
  7. SaulTBauls

    SaulTBauls Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2013 Iowa

    They were actually trying get get it around 3.2 so they could sell it in your silly law gas stations. Unfortunately, their system was too efficient and it came out closer to 4. It's still an awesome low abv beer, with tons of flavor, and tons of poundability.
     
    #7 SaulTBauls, Jul 14, 2015
  8. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    It doesn't quite have the marmalade on toast thing going on anymore, and maybe the bitterness is just a tad astringent, but all things considered I still think it's really good.
     
    #8 mjryan, Jul 14, 2015
  9. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    If it's 4% abv that should put at right around 3.2 % abw, unless my maths is wrong.
     
    #9 mjryan, Jul 14, 2015
  10. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    Two things wrong with your "theory":

    1. It was always at 4% ABV, and
    2. 4% ABV is ~3.2% ABW, so if they wanted, they could have already sold it in gas stations, grocery stores, etc.

    But, I agree with your characterization of the law as "silly".
     
    #10 MNAle, Jul 14, 2015
  11. SaulTBauls

    SaulTBauls Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2013 Iowa

    I dunno, I just know on our tour, they said they were shooting for a much lower abv and didn't hit it.
     
    #11 SaulTBauls, Jul 14, 2015
  12. BrettHead

    BrettHead Initiate (0) Sep 18, 2010 Nebraska

    I miss the marmalade bad :slight_frown:
     
    #12 BrettHead, Jul 14, 2015
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  13. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    I liked the old Bitter Brewer. I won't even taste this new one.
     
    #13 offthelevel_bytheplumb, Jul 14, 2015
  14. Junkfish

    Junkfish Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2012 Minnesota

    I too found this year's very enjoyable. As with all things food and drink, a subtle change can be a deal breaker for some people. In no way is it a major step backwards in my opinion.
     
    #14 Junkfish, Jul 14, 2015
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  15. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    Well, that could explain the thinner feel as well. They've turned it into yet another "hop water session ale", IMO, and one with an overly bitter, acrid aftertaste. While they have always described it as "not a traditional English bitter", I could previously see how it was at least inspired by the English style. Now it is not even that.

    I'm sorry for going on and on about this; it was just previously one of my favorites, and as someone suggested above, I'm "bitter" about it! :slight_frown:
     
    #15 MNAle, Jul 14, 2015
  16. Spinrathen

    Spinrathen Initiate (0) Dec 18, 2013 Iowa

    I agree, I didn't even finish the first four pack I bought this year.
     
    #16 Spinrathen, Jul 14, 2015
  17. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've been digging hard into IPAs & such lately; this thread has helpfully reminded me I need to go grab some Bitter Brewer tonight!
     
    #17 maximum12, Jul 14, 2015
  18. beerjunk

    beerjunk Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2015 Illinois

    My thoughts exactly!

    I bought two 4pks thinking it was the same as always. Big mistake. If they keep this new formula I will not buy it again, and that makes me sad.
     
    #18 beerjunk, Jul 14, 2015
  19. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Great taste description of that brew (last years) BTW
     
    #19 gatornation, Jul 14, 2015
  20. n8opot8o

    n8opot8o Initiate (0) Feb 18, 2007 Minnesota

    When I got it this year, I just assumed I had destroyed my palate and that's why it didn't taste right. This makes sense. It's still pretty good, but hopefully they brew it to the old recipe next year.
     
    #20 n8opot8o, Jul 15, 2015
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