Mitchell's Extra Special Bitter
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouse

Mitchell's Extra Special BitterMitchell's Extra Special Bitter
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From:
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouse
 
British Columbia, Canada
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #10
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
89
Ranked #12,764
Avg:
3.97 | pDev: 9.32%
Reviews:
22
Ratings:
37
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 12, 2023
Added:
Jan 10, 2003
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  3
Recently named “one of canada’s top beers” by Maclean’s magazine, this long time favourite with Spinnakers’ regulars is a copper coloured, classic English pub bitter, brewed with English Pale and Crystal malts, hopped with Horizon & Kent Goldings.

40 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.84 by shelby415 from Oregon

Aug 12, 2023
Photo of polloenfuego
Reviewed by polloenfuego from Canada (NB)

3.71/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a copper/amber gold with a small amount of foam. Not much in the way of retention or lacing, but the color is quite nice.

Smell is malt led, what I get is some caramel malts, with perhaps a visit from bready malts, and then some grassyness and light hops.

Taste is malt driven, the caramel malts lead the way. There is a slight metallic taste, then you get some piney resiny hops. Not a ton of hops, but in line with the style.

Feel is actually a little light for the style in my opinion. Carbonation is on the low side, as I would have expected. Finish is slightly bitter.

Well, I wouldn't call this the best ESB I have had, but it isn't bad. An easy to drink beer that doesn't offend. On the other hand, it doesn't stand out to me either.
Mar 26, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by Mack from Canada (QC)

Jul 03, 2016
Photo of wordemupg
Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

3.51/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
650ml bomber poured into pint glass a few weeks back, from notes

A reddish copper with a slight haze, completely full of bubbles, pours tan foam for 2/3’s of the glass and it just sits there, still three fingers when the beers half gone, big chunks of lace everywhere

S iced tea powder, a handful of pennies, some citrus, spiced apple sauce, spicy herbal hops

T maybe some wet leaves and a little hard toffee added to the smell, a little malty for an ESB but I suppose some would call it “balanced”

M light and explosive, pretty much turns to foam the second it hits your mouth, a little gritty after the fact

O I don’t detect any flaws but its way over carbonated, OK beer but nothing worth buying more of

This one’s popped up a few times over the years on the best of Canada list and has been a long standing want. I didn’t think it was anything special to be honest.
Jun 19, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by Jotora from Canada (ON)

Mar 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.85 by ZachT from Canada (BC)

Dec 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.33 by Easton70 from Canada (ON)

Oct 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.78 by Beervana from Canada (BC)

Aug 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

May 09, 2015
Photo of Rossmeister23
Reviewed by Rossmeister23 from Nebraska

4.85/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Had this beer on tap at Spinnakers Brewpub, the beer's birthplace! Had a nice, deep amber color. Very thin head, but great retention. Lots of lacing. Smell was nice; malty and floral hops were the primary scents I caught. Taste was everything an ESB should be in my mind; dominant piney and floral hops with a strong malt backbone. Light notes of citrus in the finish. Goes down a little dry, but that's one of the advantages of this brew. It makes you want more!

Mouthfeel was a little too light for my taste despite the excellent flavors that were present. Loved the look and scent, just wish there had been a thicker head upon pour!
Dec 24, 2014
Photo of LampertLand
Reviewed by LampertLand from Canada (BC)

3.79/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Spinnaker's Brewpub 'Mitchell's ESB' @ 5.2% , served from a 650 ml bottle purchased for $5

A-pour is a burnt orange from the bottle to glass with a big off white head that is leaving a spotty lace along the pint

S-certainly doesn't have the powerful smell I've been acustomed too , way to mellow

T-clean , mellow tasting 'ESB' , no wow factor

MF-low/mild carbonation , medium body

Ov-ok beer , below average local 'ESB'

prost LampertLand
Oct 30, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by 2beerdogs from California

Jul 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by KStark from Canada (BC)

May 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by KalanM from Canada (BC)

Jan 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by kelvarnsen from Canada (ON)

Sep 28, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by rodrigueZflyingf0x from Canada (BC)

Jul 18, 2012
Photo of papat444
Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)

4.08/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From notes accumulated since the birth of Zoe.

Thanks to chickenm for this one.

Poured from a 650ml. bottle (10 notched on the left side of the label and 02 & 7 notched on the right).

Appearance: A dark copper color with red tinges and pours a little like apple cider. The slightest brown in the good sized head with a thick sheet all the way down.

Smell: Orange peel, mineral hops, a bit tea-like and that crisp ESB aroma that i love.

Taste: Very malt forward with the hops riding on the back. Has a not overly citrus profile and the Golding is not overused as the tea aspect is kept to a minimum. Fleshy fruit.

Mouthfeel: Mouth filling from start to finish. Bitterness in the tail end and robust indeed.

Overall: Very satisfying, flavorful and intense for the style. Highly recommended.
Jun 28, 2012
Photo of IllNate
Reviewed by IllNate from Canada (BC)

3.75/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a medium amber with a finger of head and decent retention. Aroma is malty with biscuit and bread tones, some caramel coming through as well. Hop aroma is earthy and floral.

Taste is full bodied and sweet. Nice english malt and caramel tones as well as earthy floral hops. A bit sweeter finish than I would like however.

Mouthfeel is pretty good and it has the right amount of carbonation.

Overall a decent beer but not anything special in any category.
May 26, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by schopenhauerale from Arizona

May 15, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by benbou17 from Canada (AB)

Dec 05, 2011
Mitchell's Extra Special Bitter from Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouse
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 37 ratings