“I’m a bitter man.”
Many years ago that would have been my reply to anyone asking what I wanted to drink.
I found it amusing almost every time but now, all these years later, when I pour a beer as good as this one I start to think that maybe I really am a bitter man.
You see, for all my love of a good IPA and a high ABV I’m a sucker for a good Best Bitter.
And Radgie Gadgie is a good Best Bitter.
Pouring a glowing copper, the smell is big and inviting, full of biscuits and honey, apricots and pears.
There’s a super raisin and sultana fruitiness to the malts that’s held in check by a freshly baked digestive biscuit and a fist full of peppercorns.
Then there’s a toffee that’s chewy and sweet and has a light dusting of cocoa powder, and a praline nuttiness topped with Muscovado sugar.
The hops are sharp and bitter, elderflower fresh and sapling wood pithy, they slap and prod with lemon zest snappiness and leave a finish that’s long and bitter and refreshing.
I guess I really am a bitter man.