ESB
Redhook Brewery in Seattle, Washington, United States 🇺🇸
Bitter - ESB / Strong Bitter Regular|
Score
6.08
|
|
Redhook’s flagship beer got its start as a winter seasonal recipe in the mid 80’s. In the early years, Extra Special Bitter earned a reputation as ‘banana beer’ and has been brewed continuously since 1987. ESB’s caramel malt sweetness and subtle spice and fruit hop flavors, quickly defined the style, becoming Seattle’s definitive craft beer and inspiring a new wave of craft beers across the country.
Sign up to add a tick or review
5.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5
September 2014: Sample from bottle at Vecturamesse. Brown colour, Some caramel in aroma and flavour. The flavour is otherwise too bland for an ESB, with too moderate hops. Will re-rate when I get a full bottle.
Tried
from Bottle
on 03 Jan 2025
at 14:24
7/10
Tried
on 13 Dec 2024
at 16:49
5.6/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
Malty aroma. Sweet malt flavor quickly turned bitter with floral hops. Bitter aftertaste.
Tried
on 19 Feb 2021
at 05:46
6.3/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 5
Texture 8
Overall 6
Sample at a new place in Chiang Mai Thin white head. Clear golden pour. Malty watery aftertaste with a light bitterness. Ok
Tried
on 08 Dec 2017
at 07:23
7.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
For rating number 4000, I wanted a local classic that I somehow hadn’t rated so far. A beer that everyone around had had since they have first heard of craft. A beer that calls itself the granddaddy of craft, and since I began drinking beer only 6 years ago, a time when this beer was probably old enough to drink a beer itself, I figured it would be a great milestone beer for a beer drinker who takes so much pride in drinking local. Stubby bottle with a story printed in it, poured at the brand spankin new Red Hook BrewLab, Capitol Hill. A clean copper pour. Plenty of foam head. Aroma is a sweet caramel malt, an Amber lager like nose. This beer was first introduced in 1987, which was before I was even an idea. History in a beer, making it an excellent milestone rate. A ton of caramel throughout. A bit of spice to the grain. Cool finish. This beer deserves the respect. It’s a solid fit for the style in a mass produced format. Can’t believe I never rated it before, and this certainly won’t be the last time I enjoy it.
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Aug 2017
at 19:45
8.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
From old tasting notes. Amber orange color topped by a creamy white head. Soft fruity malt nose. Tangy caramel malt flavor hints at apples and brown sugar. Nice balance and flavor.
Tried
on 20 Jun 2017
at 20:48
6.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Bottle@Cafe Langebro, Copenhagen - golden orange pour with thin white head. Fruity and malty number, sweet caramel and toffee, some piney hoppy bitter notes in the finish.
Tried
from Bottle
on 11 Feb 2017
at 12:03
7/10
Tried
on 11 Nov 2016
at 16:27
5.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 4.5
This ESB poured a nice amber colour with a huge off white, creamy head. Scents include cereal, honey and a little caramel. First swig was not bad with flavours of cereal, light hops, honey and mild caramel. Finish was a little bitter with hoppy caramel flavours lingering... ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone
Tried
on 08 Nov 2016
at 17:24
7/10
Tried
on 22 Oct 2016
at 08:02