McNeill's Brewery Extra Special Bitter Ale

Extra Special Bitter Ale

 

McNeill's Brewery in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States 🇺🇸

  Bitter - ESB / Strong Bitter Regular
Score
6.65
ABV: 5.5% IBU: - Ticks: 17
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6.5
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 7

On cask at the brewpub, this was better than expected. Slight haze on a pale yellow beer. Wine like aroma. Decent mild flavors. Has a slight hint of tartness in the background. Yes, turning out to be a pretty good example of esb. One of the better esbs I think I’ve had in a while. Surprizingly good co2 effect, even on cask!

Tried from Cask on 18 Aug 2015 at 16:59


5.9
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Cask. Dark yellow faint sweet nose. Barely any malt backbone, thin and faint sugary sweet. Dank finish

Tried from Cask on 07 Jun 2014 at 15:32


5.9
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

22 oz. bottle for $3.99 @ Gary’s Beverage. This was marked down and I could tell has been sitting awhile after knocking off 3 inches of dust off the bottle. Aroma is floral hops with a touch of citrus. Flavor is surprisingly bitter with lots of floral hops and some bland malt. A wet hop type bitterness. I really, REALLY wanted to like this brew but I just didn’t.

Tried from Bottle on 29 Nov 2012 at 14:37


7
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bomber from Carl K. Pours bright copper with a 3 finger frothy beige head. Aroma is floral and lightly malty with a touch of citrus. Med body. Flavor is light roast caramel with something like grapefruit rind. I have no idea where the floral went. The finish is nice bitter somewhat conquering tasty caramel. I still think there’s floral in the aroma. Nice ale.

Tried on 16 Feb 2012 at 17:19


6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Draught, 5.5%. Weak refreshing hop aroma. Cloudy grey golden colour. Slightly sweet. Good rough hop flavour. Slightly rough finish.

Tried on 12 Oct 2011 at 05:55


6.1
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6.5

Cloudy light copper coloured body with a thin white head that leaves a nice lace. Aroma of light earthy (english) hops, strong malt, a touch of alcohol and a bunch of bright floral notes. Light to Medium-bodied; Strong assertive floral flavour with a bit of light malt, some light alcohol and a large dose of english hops. Aftertaste shows pretty much only light hops, floral notes and a light touch of malt. Overall, nice, but a bit lacking in complexity and strong flavours. I sampled this 65 cL bottle purchased from Liqour Outlet in Boonton, New Jersey on 08-May-2011 sampled at home in Washington on 04-September-2011.

Tried from Bottle on 04 Sep 2011 at 20:34


6.1
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

Location: 22 oz bottle from Buy Rite, 8/5/11

Aroma: The nose has some grassy and floral hops, and some caramel too
Appearance: It pours a mostly clear dark orange-brown color with a creamy beige head
Flavor: Tastes fairly bitter, lightly sweet, similar to the nose, plus some sour notes as well
Palate: The body is medium, with a somewhat sticky mouthfeel, and a tingly/lively carbonation
Overall Impression: Overall, I wanted to like this one more then I actually did. The taste just had something off about it, like an unintended sourness. I don't know if it was a bad bottle, or just not a great beer, but it wound up disappointing me just a little.

Tried from Bottle on 05 Aug 2011 at 15:55


7
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Orange with a white head. Citrus and lemon in the aroma with light sweetness. Flavor is very citrus and earthy with a nice biscuit malt profile. More bitter than I expected. Pretty solid and would be nice on a warm summer night.

Tried on 30 May 2011 at 17:44


7.1
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle shared by Sean, thanks! Poured a clear hazy amber with a brown hue and a gray head that dissipated to the edges. Aroma had a nice citrus presence with some hay, sweet grain and grass as well. Flavor started citrus and grass which mellowed into a malt finish consisting of grain and bread.

Tried from Bottle on 10 Jan 2011 at 13:16


7.3
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6

Beer exploded on me upon opening. Pours golden copper with lots of head. Aroma is citrus spruce. Taste is pleasant bitter hop. Rated 2/21/05

Tried on 03 May 2010 at 00:49