I Bettabuy a few more! (Morrison's Bettabuy Bitter)

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Morrison's Bettabuy Bitter
Date:	03/11/05 (203 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent value, traditional mild style taste.

Disadvantages: Virtually no gas or bubbles, a lack of head, heavy,

I don't know about you but when I buy a can of bitter I expect to be just that…bitter. Modern smooth style bitters such as John Smiths and Boddington's do not appeal. That is why I often end up buying either speciality ales or "value " beers.

Morrison's Bettabuy Bitter definitely falls into the value category with four cans costing a measly 90p for four! The cans themselves are unsurprisingly sparsely illustrated with garish red colouring and bold Bettabuy lettering seemingly revelling in its bargain basement status. These cans make no effort to compete with their trendy competitors instead aiming at the traditional ale market.

After chilling the cans in the fridge (who drinks bitter warm) I pop one open to a satisfying hiss and a tinny smell with remnants of oak and even smoke. Pouring slowly into my "World's Greatest Dad" glass (yes I own novelty socks too!) I note that there is very little in the way of creamy head which I find a little disappointing. A quicker pour does result in a more respectable froth but there is than more air than bitter in evidence. The bitter itself pours a dark brown colour with little in the way of bubbles. The colour is reminiscent more of a brown ale or mild than that of the lighter coloured bitters of today. To all intents and purposes this is traditional bitter similar to a Cain's or Theakston's. This for me can only be a good thing.

The most important thing of course is the taste. Taking a gulp this bitter is indeed bitter. There is an immediate citrus tang and a distinct lack of bubbles on the tongue or gas in the stomach. Indeed this is a heavy bitter that belies its 2.1% alcohol volume in that it is certainly not a watered down ale. There is a distinct tinny aftertaste that lingers on the tongue that is fortunately not at all unpleasant. The wooden, cask tinged flavour of a dark mild is prevalent throughout the glass. As this is a heavy beer you will not be surprised to note it is not a particularly refreshing tipple. Not one to be drank with a meal as it lies heavy on the stomach and is almost a meal in itself. No good attempting to get inebriated on this one. With its heavy taste and low alcohol content you will not manage more than a couple of cans.

All this does not mean this bitter is an unpleasant drinking experience. I find this the perfect after work bitter to crack open after a hard day. It does not have the refinement of its more expensive brethren but for me it is a perfect bath time beer and as a casual drinker I find both the ridiculously cheap price and the content an appealing proposition.

Summary: Excellent value and a surprisingly good taste.