Drinking in Boston: It's Bitter!

Today’s high temperature is expected to be a balmy 18-degrees. There is no other word for this than “bitter.” Which conveniently brings us to today’s topic of discussion: bitters.

What is a bitter, other than a day with a wind chill of don’t-go-outside? It is a British style of pale ale that is characterized by its notes of bitterness, naturally, but also by tangy fruit and even nutty malt flavors. Despite its name, it’s not at all like sucking on a Sweet Tart. It’s more like an American pale ale without necessarily all the aggressive hops.

There are traditionally three (some argue more) types of bitters. The ordinary bitter has the lowest alcohol content, not going much above four-percent. Best bitter hovers between four-percent and five-percent ABV. Extra special (or extra strong) bitter describes anything five-percent or higher. In the US this is one of the most popular variations and you’ve probably seen it referred to as an ESB.

We have a number of favorite bitters to suggest trying on a day as searingly cold as today:

Gritty McDuff’s Best Bitter
Redhook's ESB
Rogue’s Brutal Bitter
Cambridge Brewing Company’s Bitchin’ Bitter
Boston Beer Works’ Boston Common

Photo by SarahMcD on Flickr used with Creative Commons License