Crouch Vale Essex Boys Best Bitter

Tasting Summary

These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.

Dulwich Beer Festival 2026, East Dulwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		22 May 2026	1st beer of this visit: This Essex mid-brown best bitter from Crouch Vale Brewery set up in 1981 by CAMRA enthusiasts in South Woodham Ferrers came with very good head and lasting lacing. A dry bitter first bite. A biscuity malty bitterness rising from its 100% English barley malt aiding its sweetness with a caramelised toastiness mixed with a bready toffee flavouring and dark marmalade. A dry hoppiness with a gentle floral, earthiness with subtle berry flavours prevailing from its generous lashings of traditional English Challenger and Boadicea hops for the sail downwards. The latter hop is from the famous Wye College in Kent developed by the Hop Research Department based at the college and was only commercially released to the public in 2004. Served in top form.

The Wheatsheaf, Writtle, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		22 May 2026	Faultless in all aspects and a joy to drink for this flavousome proper English bitter.

The Coach & Horses, Leyton, Greater London

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	09 Jul 2023
Philip Pirrip		02 Apr 2023	Basic bitter, held good head and lacing

The Queen's Head, Chelmsford, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel	Not Tried	02 Jan 2020
Magnus Greel		07 Jun 2016
thebrewingman	Not Tried	15 Apr 2013

Tap Room 19, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex

The Orange Tree, Chelmsford, Essex

The Railway Tavern, Brightlingsea, Essex

Upminster TapRoom, Upminster, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		10 Nov 2017	In spot on condition but rather bland
ChrisE		22 Jun 2017

The Queen's Head, King's Cross / St Pancras, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		31 Aug 2017

Station Arms, Southminster, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		12 Nov 2016
Stephen Harris	Not Tried	27 Jun 2015

Cricketers, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen Harris		27 Jun 2015	Straightforward session bitter, that works as a good refresher today.

The Peasant, Clerkenwell, Central London

Old Fountain, Old Street, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		02 Dec 2013

The Beer Hall, Staveley, Cumbria

The White Horse, Chelmsford, Essex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		14 Jul 2013	What the doctor ordered - a straight mid brown English bitter
Philip Pirrip		14 Jul 2013	2nd one out even better as cooler and fresher

Dove, Hackney, Greater London

Rochford Beer & Cider Festival 2012, Rochford, Essex