While also stocking a fairly solid range of craft beer, Lidl also contract brew some beers as part of their own brand range. Often under the guise of a real sounding brewery, in this case ‘Down South Brewing’, they are often fairly poor, although there is the occasional gem where you have to respect the value of beer on offer. ‘Bitter Is Better’ is up for judgement today. It is a Citra hopped 5.9% IPA, which is the extent of information given but even before pouring you can assume it will a West Coast style IPA.

Visually, the beer is a very clear golden-bronze on the pour with a rapidly dissipating head. The nose is very malty with quite a sweet aroma to it. Not the most enticing. It certainly has the West Coast hop characteristic to it with a heavy bitterness. However, it lacks any of the actual flavour that Citra hops provide and just tastes like a strong IPA.

A quick note on the can art: Nothing too interesting to note really. There is an arrow pointing down south in reference to the name. That is about it.

it’s not the worst own brand beer that I’ve had but for my tastes it is certainly far from the best. Perhaps some people like that level of bitterness but for me it was astringent, overpowering and lingered all the way through. Citra hops can impart a lovely flavour as well as that hoppy bitterness that balances a beer. Unfortunately, for me that is coming through. Not undrinkable like some own-brand beer but I personally would not buy it again.

Score: 3.5/10

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Additional Information:

Style: West Coast IPA

Hops: Citra

Malt: Not Available

IBU: Not Available

ABV: 5.9%

Gluten Free: No

Vegan: No