Buying British bitter in the States...

It all depends on what you consider bitter. I find Brit standards for bitters and IPA's to be a bit anemic. I prefer a more aggressive hops profiles for both. Recently, EJ Phair:

....a CA microbrewery won the gold for best Brit Style IPA at the GABF. Despite it's lesser hops profile, I still thought it a nice ale. Check it out, if available.

nb

Sometimes.

Samuel Smith's, Young's, Fuller's, Coniston, Charles Wells Bombardier, Nethergate, Harviestoun (the Bitter & Twisted is a great beer), and quite a few others.

I like the St Peters Bitter. (It comes in a flask shaped bottle)

Best regards, Bill

I like the St Peters Bitter. (It comes in a flask shaped bottle)

Best regards, Bill

If it's a pale ale, yes.

Seriously, different shops organize their beer inventory differently. You'll just have to browse and see what you find.

It'll vary to degree on where you're located in the country, since some beers have limited distribution. Fuller's is usually a very good bet. Young's as well. Bass is OK, I guess, ditto Newcastle. Sam Smith's can be good, but because they bottle in clear glass, it's often skunky.

Those breweries are all quite large. There are smaller British brands that are worth trying out if you have them available, like Harviestoun and JW Lees.

-Steve

I tasted bitters from Oxford, England, on draft in Oxford, and have also had Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in bottles and on draft, from the U.S. They are completely different. Oxford's bitters are more subdued and complex, with a nutty undertone; SNPA more robust. Both very good. I prefer the English on-tap variety. Have never been able to replicate the Oxford bitters experience in the U.S.

And, for me, the big issue is how well the beer is kept and how old the stock. For the most part, the bottled beers don't hold up well at all (except for specialty strong beers) and a few bad bottles of British ale can turn someone off it forever.

Fuller's and Young's, in good shape, are incredible. Try Young's Special London Ale, or Fuller's ESB. Or, if you're lucky, Fuller's Vintage Ale.

--Jeff Frane

I don't care much for the Fuller's ESB anymore..something's changed. I'd recommend the 1845 and London Pride.(The Vintage? Goes without saying ;^)

Best regards, Bill

I'm not as big on Fuller's ESB now either, though the next time I'm in London I'll have to see if that's due to the shipping/handling or if the beer has actually changed.

I like London Pride, but the advice about the quality of the shipping and storing is paramount for British bitters. I just don't find they travel well. Having said that, drinking "real ale" in a well run pub in the UK is pure bliss.

Bill