2.4 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 4/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 8/20
Draft at brewery. Medium brown with small head. Souring at the beginning and really grain heavy at the head.
3 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20
Draft at brewpub. Not great, but not bad. I could drink more of this.
3.3 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20
tap at the Gaylord location - The brewpub claims the abv is 10.7%. I think not. That would be very odd for an ESB and quite obvious. Pours lightly hazy amber with an off-white head that laces well. It has a very mild aroma of rather indistinct malt. The flavor is sweet up front leading into some good bitterness. There’s a touch of citrus and a lingering bitter finish. Good.
3.4 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
MBGSF 2011. Poured clear brown color with a moderate off-white head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Medium complex hop and sweet malt aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture and soft carbonation. Medium bittersweet flavor with a medium pleasing bittersweet finish of moderate duration. Very drinkable brew.
3.4 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20
On tap at brewery. Aroma is weak but some hops and malts there. Red brown hue. Nutty toasty malts and resin bitter hops are well balanced in the flavor. Very good but a little mellow in character. The best brew I’ve had at this brewery.
3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
From a growler. Pours a dark, mostly transparent ruddy oak color with a thick layer of creamy tan head. Lots of caramel in the nose, lightly toasted, with a hint of oak bark character. A hint of mineral character as well, along with a bold, spicy, earthy EKG hop bite. Medium bodied, creamy mouthfeel. A little bit of a mineral tang starts out the palate, which is then washed over with dark caramel malt flavors. A generous hop serving helps the palate to a dry finish, leaving a final smack of earthy spice and mild citrus lingering on the tongue. Pretty clean overall, with a pleasing malt, hop, and mineral balance. A little bit on the heavy side, I get the impression that a bit more attenuation would improve the refreshing quaff ability of this one, but the flavors are quite satisfying.
3.2 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20
Draught at the brewpub
Amber color. Light aroma. The flavor is basically caramel, with a medium-high bitterness. Correctly brewed.
3.5 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Wow. A bit of everything in this one. A very good brew. Earthy, acidic. citrus. Dry. Good for sipping.
3.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Sample at the Gaylord location: Dark amber/red color with a compact light beige head. There is a top ring of lacing with spots beneath. Strong earthy malt aroma. Medium-bodied with a rich malt character, along with some citrus and a touch of alcohol. The finish is dry and hoppy. Above average ESB in my opinion.
3.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
5 oz draught sample at the Gaylord, MI location, July 2006. Dark amber with a bit of lasting head and lace, much as the "Redbird"....toasty, grainy nose with a bit of fresh cider and peach, caramel and faint unplaceable spices....body is soft, with tingly carbonation supporting a moderately bitter, dry, toasty and tarry body with baked fruits and burnt wood tones...juicy when it needs it but dry and subtly bitter for the most part. Nice.
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