It's been time to get out of Boston for awhile now. Jadyn and I took a daytrip up to Portland, Maine last weekend. Gritty McDuff's was one of the first things we walked by in town. Jadyn was kind enough to humor me, so we stopped in for some beer. I had the Best Bitter, and had enough of Jadyn's Halloween Ale to review.
708. Gritty McDuff's Best Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.0%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a fluffy beige head with good retention.
Smell (4.0): Mild bready malts, light citrus, herbal, grassy hops.
Taste (4.0): Mild, toasty, biscuity malts upfront. Moves into a light, fruity sweetness. Notes of citrus. Light bitterness in the finish that strengthens in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Low carbonation, smooth, light-bodied.
Drinkability (4.5): A classic session beer.
Overall (3.9)
709. Gritty McDuff's Halloween Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a very slightly hazed amber. Topped by a beige head that fades to a ring.
Smell (3.5): Mostly malty, some caramel and fruits. A little bit of spicy alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Malty and sweet, caramel is most evident. It evokes pumpkin-spice notes, but only slightly, so I'm not convinced that they were used. Nice bitterness in the finish followed by a light spiciness. A little bit sweet for me.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation. Leaves a light graininess on the back of the palate.
Drinkability (3.5): A little too sweet for me.
Overall (3.5)
708. Gritty McDuff's Best Bitter
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 5.0%
Serving: Tap
Style: English Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a lightly hazy copper. Topped by a fluffy beige head with good retention.
Smell (4.0): Mild bready malts, light citrus, herbal, grassy hops.
Taste (4.0): Mild, toasty, biscuity malts upfront. Moves into a light, fruity sweetness. Notes of citrus. Light bitterness in the finish that strengthens in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Low carbonation, smooth, light-bodied.
Drinkability (4.5): A classic session beer.
Overall (3.9)
709. Gritty McDuff's Halloween Ale
Beer Stats:
Brewery: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Alcohol: 6.00%
Serving: Tap
Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter, BJCP Style Guide
Appearance (3.5): Pours a very slightly hazed amber. Topped by a beige head that fades to a ring.
Smell (3.5): Mostly malty, some caramel and fruits. A little bit of spicy alcohol.
Taste (3.5): Malty and sweet, caramel is most evident. It evokes pumpkin-spice notes, but only slightly, so I'm not convinced that they were used. Nice bitterness in the finish followed by a light spiciness. A little bit sweet for me.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation. Leaves a light graininess on the back of the palate.
Drinkability (3.5): A little too sweet for me.
Overall (3.5)
Labels: English Bitter, ESB, Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
