Stoudts Scarlet Lady Ale ESB

Pours with an initially two-finger thick, frothy, amber-tinged, tan colored head. The beer itself is a concentrated amber color that shows a brilliantly clear ruby hue when held up to the light. The aroma is a mix of fruit and hops; I get notes of berries, a light herbal character and a touch of orange zest. There is a dry toasted malt aroma underneath, that becomes quite rich and prominent if you become too intent on sucking in all of the aromatics. This has a really nice nose to it, makes me thirsty for a sip.

The beer is pretty light, dry up front, but it begins to pick up a bit of malt sweetness as the beer passes through the mouth. The beer is quite smooth, with just a touch of prickly carbonation; it is quite nice and makes for an easy drinking experience. There are some soft fruit notes here, mostly reminiscent of raisins, but there is a bit of berry character here as well. There is a nice herbal hop bitterness throughout, it is not too assertive, but is always there and noticeable. I even think that some of the hop flavors accentuate the soft fruit character of this beer. The malt character is quite good as well; there are some nice caramel notes as well as some biscuit type notes and some lightly toasted grain notes.

This is quite a nice beer, in fact it is really hitting the spot right now. It is light enough and quite quaffable with lots of hop and malt character to keep the flavors intriguing and interesting. As the beer warms up a bit from the initial 50*F, the hop character becomes a bit more assertive, perhaps leaving a touch less well balanced.

Copper color, not much head. Love the malt taste to this....balanced by solid hops. Sweet finish.

Tasty ESB with a nice malt character both at the nose and in the flavor. Hops present throughout but not as much as I expected.

This was recommended to me as an amber by the guy at the beer store, and couldn’t of been more wrong. I t had the reddish color, but that was all it had in common. A nice flavor that was just right on the bitterness. I still have 3 in the fridge that I can’t wait to enjoy again.

(02.01.06) 12 oz brown bottle as trade gift from Thaichile. Bottle label indicates that beer expired on 11/8/05. Hazy red amber with tiny white head. Soft carbonation. Caramel and hop aromas. Light-to-medium bodied that starts with tiny malt sweetness, light caramel/toasty malt flavors, and light hop bitterness. Finishes dry with light lingering bitterness. Despite expiration, no oxidation byproducts noted. Rather thin textured and weak flavored, this is definitely not one of Stoudt’s better brews. This is, however, a decent drinkable beer. Thanks Thaichile!

Reddish-bronze in color with a beautiful, foamy 1/3" tan head. Honey, amaretto and Stetson cologne lead the aroma, pursued by perfumey hops, pils musk, sweetened bran flakes and glazed pistachios. Flavor gentrification is lightly masked, and then the prickly ESB traits come to fruition. Tingly, sharp bittering units rest on the slightest caramel sweetness. Bran flakes and stable semblances wholesomely pump wheat remembrance post sip. Pine comb, meet honeycomb. Light, abrasive session ale, with carbonation and hops stinging forcefully. Otherwise, it’s fairly leveled. Finish is comprised of scones met with the mildest hint of cranberry skin. A decent rendition.

This is a good ESB, this beer pours dark brown with a slight tan lace that lingers for awhile. The look of the beer is nice and clear, with a smell of toffee and nuts. The taste on the palate is sweet, malty, with some hop kick to it. I taste caramel, toffee, and nuts. I like this beer, I would def get it again.

Copper-ruby pour with a off-white foamy head. Malty nose with a soapish yeast charachter.This reminds me more of Pietra from France(minus the nutbread) than an ESB. Has this taste to it I dont care for and nevertheless, isnt selling me on an ESB. Its got redeeming qualities though. Its fresh tasting with mild, MILD, hops and malts...the smell is flat and one struggles to find something to say. . caramel perhaps?...i should add that this thing looks really good in that little christoffel glass.