 Schroppfy (1729), Ohio, USA
Jan 2, 2003 Updated: Jan 20, 2004
An easy call as one of the top 3 Bitters ever in my book. Quite different than Alemith's (and Ballast Point's for that matter) in it's hoppiness. It also shows incredible maltiness and freshness. Mine was bottled on 10/30/2002 and it might have well been yesterday. Deep tangy malt, huge hop presence everywhere, exceptional lacing and body, and a crisp sharpness that must be imparted by the rye (I'm guessing). Clean clear and wonderful and a great seasonal surprise sent by the St. Louie wunderkind -- btw, love the cat and the computer screen in the background. If I lived anywhere near St. Louis i would purchase this by the case. A better all-around challenging beer for everyday drinking than El Toro's fine selections. I love this beer.
Goodgrief (1018), Middletown, Delaware, USA
Aug 16, 2008 Golden orange pour, lots of lacing. Caramel malt aroma maybe...very faint. Flavor is mild caramel. Not a lot going on in this one. Just ok...no real flaws except for a faint touch of diacetyl. Eh.
StFun (289), Indiana, USA
Aug 11, 2008 Color me impressed. I didn’t expect too much out of this one really, but was pleasently surprized. Pours a nice ruby color. Aroma is almost like a Barley Wine, with a nice malt and grain profile. Flavor is much of the same, but with the addition of bitter hops and caramel. Almost like a BarleyWine lite, but heavier on the hops. Overall, pretty nice!
ChainGangGuy (1524), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
Jul 19, 2008 Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy, orangey body with a thin, white head.
Smell: Relatively mild aroma smelling of spice, dehydrated lemon peels, and a dry malt character.
Taste: Biscuity malts with a zing of caramel sweetness tacked on. Flavors of tangy citrus zest and spicy rye with a medium hop bitterness. Bittersweet finish, though definitely more bitter than sweet. Lingering hint of lemon in the aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation with a slight fizziness to it.
Drinkability: A enjoyable, refreshing Winter ESB for the middle of summer.
pint_size (1004), Austin, Texas, USA
Jun 2, 2008 5-17-08 bottle
Clean amber orange with some white head. Smell is sweet apples. Sweet flavor with a tiny bite to it as well. Medium carbonation with an okay mouthfeel. Semi burnt toast aftertaste. Not bad, highly drinkable and one of the better ESBs I’ve had.
EithCubes (1802), Indiana, USA
May 25, 2008 Bottle (-d Nov 05 2007) consumed 25 May 2008. Robust aroma, toffee-leaning earthy hops and grass and caramel, brown sugar and light resin. Light sweetness, floral with spice, and much lighter must and melon in the bg. Apple cider pour, a cloudy pale copper with a creamy yellow-tinged beige head, good lacing and long retention. Lightly bitter taste, but rounded, sweet with cracker, bread, and a hint of apple juice. Crystal malt with strong toasty notes. Toffee, touch of gritty resin. Strong, really focused fruitiness. Woody, as if it had spent a few days in a cask. Light body but not watery. Crisp and much dryer than expected on the whole. Floral hop aftertaste. For long sipping, a very good brew.
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