Helm is one of a growing number of microbreweries in Montreal, and particularly in the very popular Mile End neighbourhood. Helm is unique as it is a microbrewery that specializes in English style ales as opposed to Belgian style beer, which tends to be very popular in Quebec. Whenever I see a bitter on any beer menu I have to give it a try, it's my favourite style of beer so I was naturally very interested and optimistic about Mile End best bitter.
Bitter as a beer style can be a bit misleading to North American beer drinkers. A bitter or best bitter are traditionally not all that bitter, especially when compared to the hop filled IPA's and APA's popular with many Craft Breweries. It's once you get into the Special Bitter or Extra Special Bitter that you start to see the real bitterness come through, so at 4% and styled as a best bitter I was anticipating a smooth and flavourful beer that had a twinge of bitterness. Unfortunately Helm don't seem to have grasped the proper subtleties of the different versions of proper English bitter as Mile End really caught me off guard with it's bitterness. Unfortunately it is doesn't have the full body of a proper ESB so it finds itself in a bit of limbo, a beer looking for a style. Style confusion aside, this beer still needs some work. It starts off being quite watery, with a hint of maltiness, before adding an uppercut of bitterness. This frustrating imbalance doesn't make it all that appealing to me as a fan of bitter beers, but I can see the potential here. If they manage to improve the balance of it and smooth it out so it doesn't punch you in the face with bitterness it could become a very solid session beer, but as it stands now I would suggest trying their other selections.
It is only available on draught or bottle at their brewpub on rue Bernard in Montreal, which has a good vibe, and my companions enjoyed the beers they had so I am definitely willing to give them another shot.
Rating 1.5 Steins
What you need to know
Brewery/Brewpub
273 rue Bernard Ouest
Montréal, QC H2V 1T5
Website:
http://helmmicrobrasserie.ca/
Twitter:
@BrasseurHelm
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Helmmicrobrasseriesurbernard
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