Bitter Jack

Bitter Jack
1 draught pint, $3.75, 4.1% ABV

Purchased at Cambridge House Brew Pub, Granby

I just googled the term “bitter jack” and found that there’s some mysterious “superhero” by that name. I don’t really get it, nor do I think I’m intended to.

What I do get by now is that Cambridge House makes some really good sessionable beers. I’ve been impressed over and over again with their <5% ABV beers that come to the table full of flavor and body. I appreciate them sort of bucking the trend of super high ABV.

I should note that I rather enjoy 10% beers (that have hidden the burn) on my couch at home. When I'm drinking a quick beer after work, with errands to do, not so much.

CBH says:

A true English premier bitter session ale using organic, locally sourced pale ale malt from Hadley, MA. Liberal use of UK Northdown, Fuggle and Goldings hops lend a gentle bitterness and a spicy/floral finish.

It’s nice when a brewpub describes a style that most are unfamiliar with so succinctly and accurately.

The bitter jack got me thinking about the Union Jack, so I just went to Wikipedia and have been over there for way, way too long learning about the history of the flag. No joke, there is a ton of intersting stuff to learn about it. And if you’re interested in such things, did you know you are into Vexillology? That is the “scientific study of the history, symbolism, and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general”

The Union Jack (seriously, you really should check this page out) has a long and interesting history. Did you know you can fly it upside-down? You can hover over these pictures to see which is which. Oh, NOW you see it.

The Union Jack, of course, appears on a ton of different and divergent flags from Hawaii’s to Fiji to Taunton, Massachusetts.

Say what? That’s what I said! What?!

It’s true – and they still fly the Taunton flag all over the place apparently. According to this site (and many others) where you can see it, “The Taunton Flag is quite a common sight in my home town. It flies beneath the Stars and Stripes from a tall flag pole on Taunton Green, where the original flag was raised in 1774. It is also flown with the U.S. flag over City Hall and other city buildings, and many private homes display it as well.”

Historically, “The Taunton Flag proclaimed loyalty to the Crown, laid claim on behalf of the colonists to the rights of Englishmen, and called for a union of the colonies in the quarrel with Britain. It was probably raised with the authority of a resolution of the town meeting.”

So it’s a loser flag no less than the Confederate flag is a loser flag. I now have a real problem with Taunton, MA.

Yeah, that’s right, I’m Bitter, Jack!

Overall Rating: B
Rating vs. Similar style: B+

Beer Advocate’s Reviews of the Bitter Jack
Cambridge House Brew Pub
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