Stoudts Scarlet Lady Ale ESB

Clear bronze appearance with a fairly large white head. Aroma was caramel malts with a soft, earthy quality. Smooth, medium-bodied, moderately carbonated mouthfeel. Fruity, slightly sweet taste dominated by the malts, with only modest bitterness, even through to the finish.

Mar. 31, 2006; 12 oz. bottle

Following a Fuller’s ESB, this brew stumbles badly. Cidery appearance, little to no head. High marks for the very pleasant fruity/malt aroma, but demerits for too little of it reaching the taste buds. Quite watery & a bit flat-tasting overall. I wouldn’t seek this out.

Bottle shared with HogTownHarry courtesy of Thaichile. Pours a clear bubbly deep amber with a quickly diminishing off-white head. Aroma of funky hops with some toasty caramel malt and fruit. The flavour pretty much follows the nose: toasty caramel malt, a bit of fruit and a nice English hop bitterness -- though it’s not as hoppy as the aroma suggests. Medium bodied. A simple ESB but pleasant and very nice to drink.

Bottle (12oz). Shared with blankboy, his bottle via trade with Thaichile. Clear bright deep amber with a decent off-white rocky head. Dry aroma of floral hops, mild toasted malt, a little grassy. Flavour of light malt, mild UK hops, some tart fruit and yeast - it has an overtone of tea which makes the quick finish lightly bitter after a sweetish start. Mouthfeel is lightly tea leaf bitter, mildly astringent and juicy, some carbonation - very quaffable and mild, not quite up to "real" English ESB standards, but drinkable and a good effort.

Like most beer I drink, I poured this one VERY cold which I found was a mistake. Drink this one at least 50°F or above. Great amber/red/brown color...little head, fair lacing. Quick bitterness, coffee flavors, crisp and dry. $8/sixer in Boca Raton

amber in color with a small off white head. funky aroma of sweat and hops. gross. lightly hoppy with some bready malts in the finish. bland.

Floral nose with a hint of fruit and spice. As the nose matures with warmth, heavy vanilla and caramel tones reveal themselves. The brew pours a clear medium ruby with amber highlights. The light frothy off white head is quickly diminishing , and leaves fair lace. The brew has great balance with decent depth that culminates into a meaningful finish. The medium body is very lively and dry. This would make a great session offering.

Bottle: Amber mahogany color, lots of head and decent lacing. The nose is rich with nutty malts and some diacetyl. The flavor is chewy with caramel. Nice and malty. Finishes malty good.