Sweet and bitter

Working at home again, but I made a foray up Leith Walk around the middle of the day as we were running low on coffee. There was no sign of the much talked-of snow, but there was horrible cold biting rain. I was very reluctant to take my gloves off to take a photo, so only got one, of this old ghost sign. "Sweet and bitter....Ales" is it? I can't figure out the word in the middle.

As I blip I'm listening to Wilko Johnson being interviewed about his music and doing a farewell tour because he's been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; "Wow, it really makes you feel alive", quoth he. What a remarkable man.