Wells John Bull Finest Bitter / Ale

Brewed by Wells & Youngs
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Bedford, England

Serve in English pint

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

Once in a blue moon I get a craving for the sort of session ale I drank by the gallon in England, momentarily forget how poor most pasteurised bottled bitters are and squander a ludicrous sum on something like this. For once, the urge has paid off. To be fair, at 4.8%, this would not be considered a session bitter in England. That’s too much punch for a long evening in the boozer. Nevertheless, this is one of the better bottled ESBs that I’ve come across. It’s sweet and a bit sticky with a surprising heat for this sort of abv. John Bull was a coppery brew with an an above-average creamy head that laced and lasted unusually well for a bottled bitter. The aroma was atypical for a bottled English ale, with lots of raisiny fruits and Belgian-style residual sugars. Prunes, caramel malts and some peppery alcohol. Medium-bodied with soft carbonation in the British style. Almost creamy. The crystal malt-driven flavour mix shows sticky burnt sugars and dates, with a long warming finish for a 4.8% abv ale. The alcohol is surprisingly prominent. I suspect this would be sickly in any quantity, but a pint certainly warms the cockles. (Pint bottle from Randwick Village Cellars. BB 31/9/08)

Thank goodness piscator found this one cuase i would have been stuck. Liked this one. Nicely carbonated. Will get some again if in Toronto.

500ml can, 4.8% a/v Pours a coppery/ruby red colour with alot of depth, and a well formed tan head to match. The aromas are sweet and fruity, some light citrus, like clementines, light floral hops and a very minor toasty smell. The beer itself tastes bitter of course, but strangely sweet as well with the fruity floral notes shining through. A decent mouthfeel also helps this beer along. Not bad at all

Pint bottle. Reddish amber body with a cream head and light carbonation; aroma of malt and raisin; taste of stewed fruit and apple leading to a tart finish.

568ml bottle. Deep brown with a reasonable head. Leaves good lacing on the glass. Malty aroma and a tangy hop flavour with hints of fresh fruit (gooseberries?) Decent body. Uncomplicated but quality beer.

500mL can: Pours a dark, bubbly brown. Generous amounts of tan head. Laces glass very nicely. Has a great combination of flavors: chestnut, molasses, roasted barley and a peppery aftertaste. The combination of Fast Kent Goldings and Challenger hops makes for an overall great bitter mouthfeel. I love a great ESB... This is one.

Bottle. Amber/bronze with an off-white head. Aromas are caramel and toffee malts with some nuttiness. Also has crisp zesty lemon. Flavours are lightl caramel malts followed by crisp, spritzy lemon. Nutty and earthy with some roast malts. Grapefruit pith bitterness on finish. Better than expected.

Bottle. Reddish beer with a strong head. The aroma is caramel, dry and hopped and the flavour is caramel, hopped and dry. Overall a nice dry hopped beer.

Can. Pours a dark amber with a tall frothy head. Sweet and tinny feel. Long bitter finish. Some decent malt presence, with an earthy impression.

Bottled(568ml). -pale amber coloured, little head, malty, caramel and slight fruity aroma, bitter sweet finish with slight herbal notes, quite boring bitter