Best Bitter ESB
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

Best Bitter ESBBest Bitter ESB
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From:
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 11.02%
Reviews:
20
Ratings:
48
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 14, 2017
Added:
Feb 28, 2004
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  3
Best Bitter ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is modeled after a traditional English-style pale ale. The pleasing caramel color reflects the delicately selected grain bill. The smooth, soft-bitterness creates an eminently quaffable ale.

45 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by walshclimb:
Photo of walshclimb
Reviewed by walshclimb from Nevada

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours light reddish brown, slightly cloudy with 1/2" white head with relatively large bubbles,dissipates slowly leaving good lace. Clean, moderately malty with light hoppy aroma that has hint of brown sugar or caramel. The flavor is nicely balanced between malt and bitter hops up front with long lived bitter aftertaste and a hint of sweetness. Medium bodied with a creamy texture and active carbonation. This is a solid, tasty ESB. It is nice to see another American brewery making this style. Definitely worth a try.
Aug 27, 2007
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.85 by DoctorEvil65 from Washington

Jan 14, 2017
Photo of beerjerk666
Reviewed by beerjerk666 from Florida

3.76/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a shaker style pint. No dating on bottle.

Appearance: Beautiful golden-amber colored body. High clarity. Very thin cap of head formed and disappeared quickly. No lacing.

Aroma: All malts here, minimal amount of hop presence, as is in line with the style. Also, picking up on some mild toffee.

Taste: Yep, it's all about the malts here, imo. Sweet up front with a little bitterness on the end, finishes nice and clean. Super refreshing. Hops are there

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel. Malty and juicy with a nice lingering bitterness along the outside edges of the tongue. Low carbonation.

Overall: A beer you can drink a lot of, easily! Not one of my favorite styles, but this was easy to drink and the whole bomber disappeared before I knew it! Delicious malty beer.
Nov 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by DamienI from Washington

Oct 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.44 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Jun 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.06 by jhavs from New York

Jun 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.65 by gouettn from Washington

Apr 05, 2016
Photo of Moose90
Reviewed by Moose90 from Washington

3.22/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Served On-Tap

A — Pours a translucent and bright caramel amber color with an off-white colored head leaving behind some nice spots of lacing along the inside of the glass.

S — Smell is mild and malty with a little bit of supporting noble hop bitterness, little bit of toast and grain.

T — Mild but semi bitter and focused on malts, not a whole lot going on.

M — Light-Medium bodied, refreshing enough.

O — Good overall, just not a whole lot going on.
Jan 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by evergreen_machine from Washington

Dec 05, 2015
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very attractive clear coppery amber color with a decent foam in the Troubadour tulip. Sudsy and mouth filling. There is just a little sweetness and something like a touch of orange marmalade, that bitter-sweet citrus tang. Clean flavor. A dark fruity note emerges along with the hoppy bitter edge for the finish.

There is some of the mineral taste I associate with British styles. This is a milder and gentler sort of brew, even with the distinct zip of the hops. A pleasant and highly drinkable brew that makes a good example of the category, American style. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Haggen's Market in Burlington.
Jul 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.05 by Noooddle from Washington

Jul 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.68 by CoryR from Oregon

May 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.93 by will4738

May 16, 2015
Photo of RenzoD
Reviewed by RenzoD from Washington

3.72/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Pretty good ESB. Amber color. Very weak head, quickly dissipates. Somewhat of a red flag.

Taste is malty upfront with a back end finish of bitterness. Very well balanced IMO.
Mouthfeel left something to be desired. Sort of flat. Could use a bit more carbonation.
Overall a decent brew that I would gladly have again.
Mar 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

Sep 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by KStark from Canada (BC)

Sep 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Donkster46 from Washington

Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by powdersoldier from Washington

Aug 11, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by Howlader from Canada (AB)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by mdaschaf from Indiana

May 22, 2014
Best Bitter ESB from Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 48 ratings