Anspach & Hobday The Ordinary Bitter (was 3.7%)

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.

The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		16 Aug 2025	Now its third night on and not faring well is this Bermondsey-brewed bitter. Head and lacing, poor, and not lasting. A dry fruit-infused bitter first bite. A hoppy bitterness rising from its US Chinook hops but a hint of vinegary medicine getting in on the act. Poor indeed for only its third night on and indeed for the two longer days for serving on as in both Friday and Saturday when open much earlier as in 2pm and 12 noon respectively.
Hogan Sampling		15 Aug 2025	Second night on and head and lacing, good, and lasting, fair, on this Bermondsey-brewed bitter. Not as fruity a first bite as on its premier evening. Its US Chinook hops lending it a hoppy bitterness rising. A biscuity caramel-infusion mixed with a bitter dryness casting its sails before gently drifting off into the sunset.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Aug 2025
Hogan Sampling		14 Aug 2025	Fresh on this evening and so good head and lacing and lasting throughout on this Bermondsey-brewed bitter. A fruity first bite. A hop-infused bitterness rising aided by its US Chinook hops. A good kick, like the mule has, in its hoppy fruitiness. A touch of biscuity caramel-infused bitterness gently lapping up with a hint of pine, spice and the odd dark fruit before its tide gently ebbed away.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	24 Dec 2024
Hogan Sampling		24 Dec 2024	Only third night on and minus head and lacing without the decanting involved from this Bermondsey-based brewery. A very bitter, bitter mouthfeel and without much of the tasting notes' description of hop aromas of pine, spice and dark fruits.
Hogan Sampling		23 Dec 2024	Only the second night on and minimal head and lacing on this Bermondsey-based bitter. Much decanting was needed to get the carbonation. A dry bitterness, some fruitiness, a hint of biscuit and caramel flavouring, and a touch of sourness lingering.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	22 Dec 2024
Hogan Sampling		22 Dec 2024	Good head and lacing on this Bermondsey beer as fresh on. A very bitter first hit and a bitterness lingering along with some biscuity and caramel flavouring.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	14 Jul 2024
Hogan Sampling		14 Jul 2024	Tasting of biscuit and caramel with a malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness. In good form with the head.
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	11 Apr 2024	I won't knowingly try dumbed down for duty reduction ales
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	25 May 2023
Philip Pirrip		14 May 2023	Uninspiring and obviously being premiumised by A&H
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Aug 2022	Ran out
Philip Pirrip		18 Aug 2022
Philip Pirrip		17 Aug 2022	Kept good head and lacing
Philip Pirrip		24 Jul 2022	Basic darkish bitter
Philip Pirrip		06 Jul 2021

Hand & Marigold, Bermondsey, Central London

One Inn The Wood, Petts Wood, Greater London

Lucky Anchor Ale House, Deptford, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	23 Sep 2024	As an aside had a taster, odd rubber like nose to it, suspect will be off sale soon
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	19 Sep 2024
Philip Pirrip		09 Aug 2024	Lost a little but still good
Philip Pirrip		08 Aug 2024	Only cask ale on and in lovely form, belying its 3.4% ABV for flavour

Arch House (formerly Anspach & Hobday Brewery Tap Room), Bermondsey, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Feb 2023
Stephen Harris		11 Oct 2019	A particularly good Bitter, as you might expect from this excellent brewery.

Star & Garter, Bromley, Greater London

The Shirker's Rest, New Cross, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		22 Jun 2022

The Rusty Bucket, Eltham, Greater London