Week 23 of 52
Surly Bitter Brewer
June 2nd thru 8th
Brewer's Description
First one in, last one out, sweating in the summer, freezing in the winter. Years of toiling and boiling have turned our brewer Todd into a cynical, surly, bitter brewer...You too can get bitter without all the fuss. Simple crack open a can and fill a glass with our latest - Bitter Brewer.
Pale orange in color, this ale gets intense toast and marmalade character from British malt and American hops. Dry-hopping brings the floral citrus armomas. So go ahead, get bitter!
Overall Rating based on 11 reviews
4.05 of 5 stars
Brewery Information
Surly Brewing Company
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
surlybrewing.com
Interesting Fact
Surly only brewed 30 barrels of this beer, so it will go fast. Confirmed to be available at Surdyks.
Photography
Courtesy of Erin Reichelt. View more on her flickr set.
Reviews | Learn More About the Brew52 Reviewers | Previous Beer | Next Beer
Joe Lunchpail says I’m not Bitter
August 20th, 2008
I’m not bitter about picking up this beer, but I am a little disappointed that I didn’t like it. The Surly guys have the Midas touch when it comes to beer, yet I can’t really see myself ever buying the Bitter Brewer again. The aroma and aftertaste was a bit too floral for my liking. Sure, it’s got a clean crisp intial taste, but something about it just doesn’t turn my crank.
Ben R says better than i imagined
July 15th, 2008
The Bitter Brewer sat in my fridge for quite awhile before I got around to drinking it. I think I was confusing it with Surly Mild which I had heard tasted, well, mild.
I was pleasantly surprised by the rich flavor of this beer, I thought it was excellent. Not a 5-star, but I’ll go 4.
vonklebs says Better Bitter Brewer
June 27th, 2008
Reminds me off another beer style wise from St. Paul, but better.
You make me bitter to not see you again till next year.
Drinkable in medium quanaties with mixed company.
Kris says Marmalade, no…iced tea, yes
June 24th, 2008
I can’t help but think, every time I take my first sip, that this beer tastes like iced tea. Not iced tea like you might have at a restaurant, and certainly not sweetened, but like the old fashioned sun tea where Mom used to take a big jug of water, put some tea bags in and then let it ssit out in the summer sun to brew for most of the day. Very thirst quenching on a warm day!
flashmcduff says Paddington Beer
June 9th, 2008
Well, the can says it has hints of marmalade so this must be Paddington Bear’s favorite beer. Why not couple alcoholism with an already odd addiction to an orange jelly? He’s a bear in a raincoat! Cute!
The beer did have two distinct flavors: the hop blast at the beginning followed by the flowery/fruityness. It could pass as a marmalade flavor, I think. Definitely a good summer beer.
ryan says I think he’s a teddy bear…
June 5th, 2008
…despite the long hair and the affinity for Satan’s music, I think Surly brewer Todd Haug is a softie and the “bitter” thing is just a front. I have a sinking suspicion that Todd was more bitter in the 80s while playing in the Twin Cities’ metal band, Powermad. But that’s just me. Of course he ain’t exactly emo, either.
On to the beer… Slightly toasty and earthy with some spiciness from the hops - this comes through in both the flavor and aroma. Pretty nice, though not exactly what you’d expect from an English Bitter (and that’s fine… no one is pretending that this is such a beer). Very drinkable. I threw three 4-packs of this beer in my messenger bag when my neighborhood liquor store started carrying it and either the dog started drinking beer or Dawn and I consumed the beer at a furious pace. Yum. Glad to see this in cans this year.
jwilliams731 says Marmalade?
June 5th, 2008
Maybe I am missing something.
This is a hoppy, toasty brew with a long, bitter finish and kind of a flowery smell. Not as creamy as I like from an English-style bitter, but good nonetheless. However, I can’t discern anything that I would describe as marmalade.
Maybe i need more marmalade experience.
foureyedg says Damn good Bitter
June 4th, 2008
Got myself a 4 pack of Surly Bitter at Apple Valley Liquors. They have a great selection of beer. I have loved every Surly that has passed my lips. The Bitter is no exception. It is a fine example of an English Bitter. Thank you Todd and Omar (the Surly guys). Can’t wait for Surly Cynic Ale in a couple weeks!
berrywise says Did I just drink a four pack?
June 4th, 2008
That’s what I end up asking myself after I buy this beer. I’d much rather drink the bitter brewer as an almost session beer. Much better than the Surly Mild for sure.
Tina says Love the Surly
June 4th, 2008
I love Surly. I always have cans of it waiting for me in my refrigerator. Only problem - if I have more than one, I get surly so I can only drink one if I’m out in public. I’ve tested my theory on my boyfriend (I don’t think he appreciated it). Maybe it’s all the hops going to my head?
Rett says I can relate
June 4th, 2008
Surly Bitter Brew is crisp and refreshing. I drank mine on a cold and rainy evening, and it was enjoyable, but I think it would be even better sitting outside in the hot sun. And by the beer being better I mean life would be better if it wasn’t raining every stupid day of the week. Anyway, it was comforting to spend some time with Surly Bitter Brew, especially since the can is covered with angry drawings, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone. The best part was that I finished my glass, took the dog for a walk, came back and realized I still had a good 4 ounces of beer left in the can!