Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted

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.

Great Northern, St Albans, Hertfordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		03 Oct 2026	Came with very good head and lasting lacing on this Golden Ale from Harviestoun Brewery whose mash paddle got in motion in 1983 in a humble farm shed just outside Dollar, in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, before in 2003/2004, shifting their entire kit and caboodle down the road to the Hillfoots Business Village in Alva, at the base of the Ochil Hills. They are brewing their drops with pure, untreated natural spring water flowing straight off those very hills. A dry hoppy first hit on this 1997-launched award-winning stunner which became Supreme Champion Beer of Britain. A fruity note striking up the band care of its Perle and Challenger hops behind an earthy, spicy and sharp bitterness, and with its Hersbrücker and Celeia lending floral, herbal and zesty flavours and Bobek behind its lemony, piney and gentle summer fruit infusions. Its Lager Malt behind its crisp and slightly bready flavouring, its Crystal malt behind sweet caramel, toffee-like touches, and its Wheat and Oats lending a smooth mouthfeel and aiding its head retention alongside its Pinhead Oats wrapping my tongue in a velvety caress. A lightly tingling fruity lemony finish accompanied by a crisp, dry bitterness that kept it completely refreshing before ebbing downwards. Served in an 'up to dick' condition and no error!
Hogan Sampling		03 Oct 2026	Please see my entry earlier in the day for my first visit and my account of it but certainly surviving with head and lacing almost lasting on this second visit and still with plenty of flavour.
Hogan Sampling	Not Tried	26 Sep 2026

The Grill, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

The Robert Pocock, Gravesend, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Hogan Sampling		18 Oct 2025	Head, very good, and lacing, good, and lasting to the end on this Scottish golden ale from Alva, north-east of Stirling and where brewing was set up in 1983, using locally sourced malt. A good hoppy first hit. A very refreshing dry hoppiness gently rising aided by its mix of five different hops: Perle, Challenger, H.Hersbrucker, Celeia and Bobek. A good fruitiness from its hoppy mix and oats combined. A tingling lemon hit winning over and sailing outwards. It ably assisted the sinking of the accompanying curry, rice, poppadom and naan bread.

The Furze Wren, Bexleyheath, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	08 Jul 2025	Ran out as I ordered
Philip Pirrip		01 Apr 2019	Former CAMRA award winning beer on excellent form here tonight

The Shepherds Rest, Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
McGargle	Not Tried	07 Nov 2024	Should have gone for this. More interesting than the Yardbird.
McGargle		25 Jul 2024	Perfectly acceptable.
McGargle	Not Tried	06 May 2024
McGargle	Not Tried	06 Feb 2024
McGargle	Not Tried	22 Jan 2024
McGargle	Not Tried	09 Jan 2024
McGargle	Not Tried	18 Oct 2023

The Green Dragon, Croydon, Greater London

The Ship Inn, Rye, East Sussex

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		28 Mar 2023	Nigh on exceptional - had to have another just to be sure!

The Broken Drum, Blackfen, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		26 Sep 2022	A great beer when in this condition

The Muirs Inn, Kinross, Perthshire and Kinross

The Grill, Sean, Worcestershire

Who	Score	When	Notes
McGargle	Not Tried	01 Jul 2022
McGargle	Not Tried	26 Jul 2021
McGargle	Not Tried	05 Jul 2018
McGargle		29 Dec 2016	Surprising how quickly a revolutionary beer subsides to middle of the road.
McGargle	Not Tried	13 Feb 2014
McGargle	Not Tried	24 Jun 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	23 May 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	16 May 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	14 May 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	31 Jan 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	16 Jan 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	03 Jan 2013
McGargle	Not Tried	27 Dec 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	22 Nov 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	30 Aug 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	02 Aug 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	25 Jul 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	19 Jul 2012
Ray	Not Tried	03 Jul 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	10 Jan 2012
McGargle	Not Tried	04 Dec 2011
McGargle	Not Tried	05 Nov 2011
McGargle		19 Apr 2010	After a refreshing hoppy burst of citrus the flavour became harsh on the finish.

The Catherine Wheel, Newbury, Berkshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Magnus Greel		08 Apr 2022	Smooth hoppy easy drinking session ale

The Brockley Barge, Brockley, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		28 Jan 2022	Great condition but not all tasting notes promises were fulfilled

Hooden Smokehouse & Cellar (formerly Hooden on the Hill), Willesborough, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Trevor		07 Dec 2021	Refreshing with citrus flavours
Alenomore	Not Tried	19 Sep 2010

The Marine Hotel, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Scott Skinner's, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
McGargle		28 Aug 2020	First post lockdown cask so it fully merited 4*.

Ivy Leaf, Dartford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		29 Dec 2019

Ye Olde Rose & Crown, Walthamstow, Greater London

Prince of Wales, Sean, Worcestershire

The Kingston Arms, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Hermits Cave, Camberwell, Greater London

The Three Hats, Milton Regis, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE		07 May 2018
Pedro		20 Oct 2012

The New Fox Inn (formerly The Windmill Inn), Willesborough, Kent

Old George, Bethnal Green, Greater London

The Watch House, Lewisham, Greater London

Palm Court Hotel, Sean, Worcestershire

Parkerville, Herne Bay, Kent

The Woodcock, Iden Green, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Wittenden		08 May 2016	First from a new cask. Citrus with a long bitter finish. Hit the spot today, not so sure about it in less clement weather.

Queens Head, Chislehurst, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip	Not Tried	27 Apr 2016
James T		24 Feb 2010

The Ferry Boat Inn, Tottenham, Greater London

The Falcon, Battersea, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB	Not Tried	25 Feb 2016
Philip Pirrip		07 Mar 2013

Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, City of

Old Mill Inn, Maryculter, Aberdeenshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ray		29 Aug 2015	Same range as before closure. Friendly welcome and acceptable ale.
McGargle	Not Tried	05 Jan 2014
McGargle		19 Aug 2013	See comment 14.12.12. Slightly abrasive finish marks it down.
McGargle		14 Dec 2012	After a series of disappointments B&T seems to be regaining some long lost form. Good cirtus hopping and a firmer body. Good bitter finish.

Duke of Wellington, Norwich, Norfolk

The Plasterers Arms, Norwich, Norfolk

The Fat Cat Brewery Tap, Norwich, Norfolk

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB	Not Tried	10 Jun 2015
HSB	Not Tried	28 May 2015
Andrew	Not Tried	27 Jul 2007
Ian		27 Jul 2007	Lacks intensity of flavour.

The Black Friar, Blackfriars, Central London

The Flower Pot, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Tobes	Not Tried	09 May 2015
ChrisE	Not Tried	25 Oct 2014	A friend of mine said that he was very disappointed with this and did not finish it. It was a fresh cask on this afternoon.
ChrisE	Not Tried	02 Aug 2014
Pedro		05 Dec 2012
Dosser	Not Tried	04 Dec 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Oct 2012
Pedro		27 Oct 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	26 Oct 2012
Alenomore	Not Tried	26 Oct 2012
Pedro	Not Tried	26 Nov 2011
Alenomore		26 Nov 2011	So so. Not my favourite brewer.
Pedro		25 Nov 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	18 Nov 2011	Ran out
Dosser	Not Tried	06 Nov 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	06 Nov 2011
Alenomore		06 Nov 2011	Ok but not my favourite type. Too light/citrusy.
Pedro		05 Nov 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	28 Oct 2011
Alenomore		28 Oct 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	20 May 2011
Ian	Not Tried	19 May 2011
Pedro	Not Tried	19 Nov 2010
Pedro		14 Nov 2010
Pedro		22 Aug 2010
Matt		11 May 2010	Near the end of the cask but still wonderful displaying fruit and a hoppy finish
Pedro		06 May 2010
Pedro		19 Mar 2010	Finished off and even the last dregs out were still very good !
Pedro		18 Mar 2010	Just so good !
Pedro		17 Mar 2010	Still great !
Pedro		16 Mar 2010	So smashing I couldn't tear myself away !
Dosser	Not Tried	29 Mar 2009

The Bell, Walthamstow, Greater London

Triplekirks, Sean, Worcestershire

Trafford Arms, Norwich, Norfolk

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans, Hertfordshire

The City Arms, Manchester, Greater Manchester

The Steamboat, South Shields, Tyne and Wear

Carriages, Sean, Worcestershire

St Machar Bar, Sean, Worcestershire

The Three Tuns, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Jack William		01 Sep 2014	Refreshing, good citrus notes.

The Station Hotel, Hither Green, Greater London

The Ship, City, Central London

Blue Blazer, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of

The Abbotsford, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of

The White Swan, Covent Garden, Central London

The Argyll Arms, Soho, Central London

Balgedie Toll Tavern, Wester Balgedie, Perthshire and Kinross

Old Red Cow, Smithfield, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Baymart		10 Mar 2014	Have tried this from a bottle and was a little disappointed with this on the night.

White Hart, City, Central London

Bell Inn, St Nicholas-at-Wade, Kent

The Horse Shoe Bar, Glasgow, Glasgow, City of

Who	Score	When	Notes
HSB		04 Jul 2013

The Oak, Warwick, Warwickshire

The Bridge Inn, Peebles, Scottish Borders

Who	Score	When	Notes
McGargle		20 Apr 2013	Light, refreshing session ale. Could do with a bolder flavour profile.

Malt 'N' Hops, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Nick Willis		12 Apr 2013

The Original Plough (formerly The Plough), Chelmsford, Essex

Doggett's Coat & Badge, Southwark, Central London

Halfway House, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of

Royal Albert, New Cross, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Philip Pirrip		07 Feb 2013	Nowt like the very herbal and floral tones I have encountered before

Mulberry St, Glasgow, Glasgow, City of

The Gun, Docklands & Isle of Dogs, Greater London

Golden Lion, York, North Yorkshire

The Moon Under Water, Manchester, Greater Manchester

Wetherspoons, Victoria, Central London

The Society Rooms, Maidstone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		25 Jan 2012

Hamilton Hall, City, Central London

Old Blackfriars, Sean, Worcestershire

Who	Score	When	Notes
McGargle		10 Dec 2011	Either this beer has changed or I have. Deeper gold and and a more pronounced sweet, malt base. Some light hopping but none of the citrus flavours or bitterness I remember.
McGargle	Not Tried	30 Nov 2011
McGargle	Not Tried	11 May 2011
McGargle	Not Tried	14 Jan 2011

Bridge Hotel, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Tilleys, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear

The Victoria (formerly Tap and Spile), North Shields, Tyne and Wear

Who	Score	When	Notes
Flying.geordie		02 May 2011

29 Bar and Kitchen (formerly Hugo's at the Coast)., Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear

Who	Score	When	Notes
Flying.geordie		02 Apr 2011
Flying.geordie		21 Sep 2010

London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival 2011, King's Cross / St Pancras, Central London

Who	Score	When	Notes
Pedro		11 Mar 2011

02nd Gainsborough Beer & Folk Festival, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire

The Head of Steam, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Roebuck, Richmond, Greater London

Who	Score	When	Notes
ChrisE	Not Tried	28 Aug 2010
Magnus Greel		28 Aug 2010	Refreshingly drinkable

The Optimist (formerly Goose on Two Streets), Northampton, Northamptonshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen		17 Jun 2010	Decent pint cannot complain at all good citrus session ale

The Doric Arch, Euston, Central London

Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool, Merseyside

The Samuel Lloyd, Corby, Northamptonshire

Who	Score	When	Notes
Stephen		22 Jan 2010	Apple on the nose,clear as a bell, lovely session ale tastes great and that strength can have a few

The Lorne, Oban, Argyll and Bute

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ray		10 Oct 2009	Drinkable but lacking the hoppy, citrus bite which earned B&T its reputation.

The Joiners Arms, Morpeth, Northumberland

Who	Score	When	Notes
Flying.geordie		15 Aug 2009

Wheatsheaf Inn, Falkirk, Falkirk

Huntsman & Horn, Broomfield, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		26 May 2008	Good but nothing like the Bitter and Twisted of the Gilford Arms in Edinburgh all those years ago. Grape and orange peel dominated with a good bitter finish.

The Village Inn, Arrochar, Argyll and Bute

Who	Score	When	Notes
Charles		18 May 2008	As good as it comes.

The County Hotel, Ashford, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		23 Apr 2008	The best I've had since I first had it in Edinburgh. The hop aroma, the condition, the hoppy finish, the citrus fruits, all outstanding.

Bacchus, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear

The Guildford Arms, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, City of

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		24 Aug 2007	Nice tea and citrus, but nowhere near the explosion of flavour and aroma when I had this beer here for the first time 5 years ago.
Charles	Not Tried	12 Mar 2006

Tennent's, Glasgow, Glasgow, City of

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		23 Aug 2007	Bit of tea, nice hop and very likeable and drinkable.

Kent Beer Festival 2007, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		20 Jul 2007	No real condition. Smelt and tasted of sweet mandarine

The Chambers, Folkestone, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		05 Apr 2007	Distinctive hop aroma, verges on the sweaty sox, but the citrus hop finish is good. Easy drinking with a good mouthfeel.

The George, Bethersden, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Ian		29 Jul 2006	Nettley hop aroma. Citrus, nettle, astringent hop dominate. Bit of tea flavour. Bit like the JHB, this is normally better, but under the weather circumstances I can understand it.

Tormaukin Hotel, Glendevon, Perthshire and Kinross

Who	Score	When	Notes
Charles		25 Apr 2006	Harviestoun seem to have cracked the quality v's volume thing. A good pint as always.
Charles		10 Mar 2006	Usual good quality. Usually a safe bet just about anywhere. Perhaps because it has become very popular. I suspect a barrel never lasts long.

Behind the Wall, Falkirk, Falkirk

Who	Score	When	Notes
Charles	Not Tried	14 Apr 2006
Charles	Not Tried	31 Mar 2006	Ran out
Charles	Not Tried	30 Mar 2006
Charles	Not Tried	27 Mar 2006
Charles		24 Mar 2006	Something wrong with my taste buds today I think. More bitter than usual.
Charles		08 Mar 2006	Although still an excellent ale, quite tasteless when sampled straight after the Carronade. Had to have a pint just to compare it.

Kirkstyle Inn, Dunning, Perthshire and Kinross

Who	Score	When	Notes
Charles		09 Apr 2006	Liked this. Tastier that I've had recently I think. Gentle but pleasant bitterness to the hops.

Kent Beer Festival 2005, Canterbury, Kent

Who	Score	When	Notes
Andrew		21 Jul 2005	One of my favourite beers but just too lively on this occasion. Very bitter and grapefruity in taste.