4.9 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 20/20
Everything down to the incredible head on this beer seems as if it was scientifically designed by the brewer.
When I drink and AleSmith beer I often think of a small brew pub (no longer with us) from Pittsburgh, PA who’s saying was "we may brew a bad beer, but you will never taste it".
I envision AleSmith dumping every drop of sub standard beer before it would have a chance to hit your mouth. If they are out of supply I don’t question it. Quality comes before profit. Can you tell I like this brewery (and beer)?
4.6 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Rerate: Bumped a bit from 4.5 to 4.6. One of my top beers. Incredibly fresh and balanced. Slightly fruity in the freshest way (watermelon a la Stone Pale), malty, hoppy, earthy, yeasty, but very subtly balanced. Original: 4/17/02: Outstanding in every way. The malt depth in the nose, subtly so, the touch of yeast in the nose, the color, the head. Then, the perfect blend of earthy maltiness with hops just enough to grab you. Ahhh. Find this one, for sure. Beeronthewall.com now (finally, and probably for a limited time) has all Alesmith available. That’s where I got this one and it’s twin, who I will save for a special occasion, it’s that good.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Bright copper color, sparkling clarity, and good foam retention just like it says. White lacy head subdued malt aroma. What you taste it it has a big malt for and ESB. Much more full malty than a usual ESB. I liked it may be more than a typical ESB Good use of bitter hops. An excellente brewski
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
anyone that doesnt appreciate this doesnt understand fine ales. most beer geeks arent trained in ales, only ipa’s and barleywines. this is actually better than fullers esb.
4.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Outstanding example of an ESB. Not overpowered with Pacific Northwest hops. One of the finest examples I’ve tried next to Fuller’s.
4.5 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
Caramel-toffee! Beautiful color, nice slightly-offwhite head, just and excellent bitter. I'm more of a fan of Belgian ales, but I must admit this is a superb ESB. Without a doubt, one of the best bitters I've even had. Smooooooooth as silk.
4.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
A standard for all ESB’s, nice hop presence, just the right malt sweetness, beautiful beer, a must try.
4.5 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
UPDATED: JUL 26, 2008 Bottle... This beer rocks!... The nose is lightly malty, lightly yeasty. Nice hop presence. Not overdone as with many Southern California ales. Smokey, perfumey and floral.
Big, frothy, khaki head with excellent lacing. Mostly lasting. Cloudy dark, gold/amber hue.
Very malty and just an afterthought of sweetness (clover honey) up front. Moderately malty and slightly hoppy on the backside. Nicely balanced. But, quite malty, not sweet, in the end.
Soft carbonation with a creamy mouthfeel. Lightly pungent and very, very dry finish. Excellent ESB. Malt Heads step forward.
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