Beer – #473 – ParrotDog – BitterBitch

A play on words, play a song, play with numbers and play devils advocate.

ParrotDog BitterBitch, a beer that I’ve know about but not drunk, until now. Thought I would put that right so as part of the new thinking drinker I brought me some.

Brewed by ParrotDog in the style that is India Pale Ale (IPA) and they are based in Wellington, New Zealand

Dinky 330 ml bottle, with a plain yet distinctive label that is standard for this brewer, of a 5.8% ABV beer, making it 174 calories in the 330ml bottle, and 1.5 standard drink units.

IPA night!

An aggressive, tropical NZ hopped aroma gives way to the rich, copper coloured malt base and a huge lingering bitterness to finish.

In an ode to its ancestors, we’ve used all English malts in the grist and a bold English bittering hop in the boil.

Sweet hoppy aroma on opening.

Pour is darker more chestnut and familiar but of head there is none.

Grassy aroma bloom in the glass, but it seems a bit earthy, wormy, wet mud in some way. Might just be me making stuff up.

Not nearly as bitter as I was expecting and a nuttiness in the palate too that was a bit different.

Bitter, but without carry though, the sweetness is a bit elevated from the happiness making them distinct and not the same thing.

IPA is a big contest and this isn’t a contender being brutal about it. Disappointed is another way to describe it. BItterBitch I like to be wide in my taste and like the idea that a wide range if opinion counts towards a generalised opinion, I think in this case the opinion might be too narrow as I appear an outlier.

It’s not undrinkable, it’s just a bit thin, not balanced, or there is a gap between bitter and sweet, and it lacks a real finish. Perhaps that is harsh.

But I’m not enjoying it, not as an IPA, or as a discovery beer, or a companion beer to food, not that it’s not undrinkable, it’s just lost. I’d drink this on tap out and about if it was available, it would make an interesting comparison.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing, making it a bit average. Which I think it is. Against the grain somewhat. But this isn’t a great or accomplished IPA, sorry.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? No I wish I was but I’m not.
Would I have another? No, I might not if that’s all the same.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No, this isn’t something that can be appreciated for one thing or another, nor is it a companion or conversation beer.

Nina Simone – Sinnerman. No other words needed, except play twice, drink once…..

I picked the music then drank the beer, there is no pun or confession intended.

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.