Bass Ale is a popular beer among young, college educated guys on the East Coast.  Take a trip down to Wall Street and you'll be surprised at the number of bars you find that carry Bass and the number of young guys in ties quaffing it.

In terms of quality- Bass Ale in bottles (to which this review is referring) is not particularly favored among the beer snobs I've met.  They note that it is watery thin.  Which is true.  Picture this- you get a Pepsi with ice in it.  Let it sit until half the ice melts.  Strain off this clear light brown liquid into a glass.  That's what Bass looks like.

Those who swear by it also, in my experience, are folks who formerly drank cheap, watery American beers.  Not quite ready to drink stout or a heavy ale, they enjoy Bass.  Bass is slightly malty, and has a mild bitter finish.  It's nothing to crow about, but its not something you would refuse if offered.  And if you are looking to move beyond the usual thin, mass-produced domestic beers, Bass in bottles may be a good place to start.  (Rating ***)