ESB
Fuller's

ESBESB
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Fuller's
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #4
ABV:
5.9%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,767
Avg:
4.06 | pDev: 10.84%
Reviews:
1,431
Ratings:
3,156
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 02, 2024
Added:
Jul 08, 2001
Wants:
  184
Gots:
  449
Twice named World Champion Beer, Fuller’s ESB is one of the most decorated ales of its time. A winner born and brewed, it’s a strong, full-bodied ale that has delighted drinkers for decades with its smooth, mellow bitterness and superbly satisfying finish.

The ESB that started it all - multi-award winning Fuller’s ESB is acknowledged as one of the world’s finest beers. The unique blend of Northdown, Target, Challenger and Goldings hops balances the rich, malty notes for a smooth, full-bodied beer bursting with marmalade fruitiness throughout.
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Ratings by rickyleepotts:
Photo of rickyleepotts
Reviewed by rickyleepotts from Arizona

3.5/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3
Here is another beer from Fuller's. As soon as I grabbed this bottle from the fridge, I was back in the taxi riding to the hotel… and there it is. The brewery! They mention, in the What They Said, about the street being busy. Yep. It was busy. Weird seeing a brewery there, but it was cool to see it as we drove by. Next time we are in London we will have to tour the brewery and see what their tasting room is like.

I am not typically a big fan of this style, but was excited to read "fudge" in the tasting notes. Maybe this one will do the style justice. It has won some awards, so it can't be that bad!

In the Glass: It is quite impressive in the glass, and has a certain thickness to it. The lace is decent, but falls off the glass fast. Loads of bubbles rush to the top as I swirl this around in the glass. Like I said, I am not usually a fan of this style. Let's hope I change my mind here!

Nose: There is a lot of malt up front, but then you finish with a balanced aroma that reminds me of a pale ale. Imagine a barrel of hops and then a gallon malt poured on top. That is what I am smelling. It is very balanced, and has me begging to drink. Let's see what she tastes like.

Flavor: That is NOT what I remember about an ESB. I asked someone on Google+ what ESB stands for. He said, "equals seven beers". I like that! But the flavor is nice, and the beer is surprisingly easy to drink. It's not thick, like I mentioned. But it does have a nice mouthfeel. Speaking of the mouthfeel…

Mouthfeel: It's creamy. Not thick, but creamy. There isn't much flavor as it slides across your tongue, but you it feels like a pillow is dancing across your palate. Speaking of the flavor, it starts hoppy then really balances out as you swallow. I am quite impressed with the overall experience here.

Aftertaste: There isn't much of an aftertaste. I am sure this beer would taste better warm, and maybe even benefit from being served on cask. But this is 1001 bottles… not 1001 draft beers! Maybe that should be our next project. Anyway, this beer is really nice, easy to drink, has a nice hoppy flavor at the start, and finishes with a malty flavor leaving a "clean" mouthfeel. For a beer coming all the way from the UK, I am impressed with the production. Good work, Fuller's!
Jan 23, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.53 by BurtonRed from England

Feb 02, 2024
 
Rated: 5 by SRV from Oklahoma

Jan 19, 2024
 
Rated: 3.09 by Can_if_you_can from Minnesota

Jan 15, 2024
 
Rated: 4 by dymott from England

Nov 29, 2023
Photo of KleinSchwein
Reviewed by KleinSchwein

4.27/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 500ml bottle.

Pours a clear deep reddish brown with a caramel head . The malt hits you in the nose as you pour and the then the aroma of rich biscuit and banana . It tastes sweet , caramelly , biscuity malt with banana and light bitter orange . Dialectal for days . The mouthfeel is buttery and full, spot on .
Overall, tasty , rich, a great winter beer , warming .
Nov 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4.19 by Brob245 from Missouri

Nov 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.88 by TheIPAHunter from California

Oct 13, 2023
 
Rated: 4.89 by tamasdanieltk from Scotland

Aug 21, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by jroof1 from Massachusetts

Jul 30, 2023
Photo of erickc
Rated by erickc from Washington

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at Columbia City Ale House.
Jun 04, 2023
Photo of LanceBiggums
Reviewed by LanceBiggums from Canada (AB)

4.48/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Orange amber with an orange-tinged tan head. Unmistakably British-looking. Caramel and toast on the nose, but not strong. Immense flavour though. Orange marmalade, caramel, licorice, black pepper. A gentle hint of ethanol warming. Not super bitter or hoppy, could be a little spicier in fact, but the marmelade flavour just about makes up for that. Typically English understated carbonation. Delicious beer.
May 08, 2023
 
 
Rated: 4.3 by rpmello81 from California

Mar 18, 2023
Photo of Explorer_Bill
Reviewed by Explorer_Bill from Kentucky

4.24/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very interesting beer. Draft into paint glass. Malty toast and herbal scents. Taste very similar to smell plus notes of peach and dried fruits. Medium bodied. Hops come through with a clean and slightly bitter finish.
Jan 23, 2023
 
Rated: 3.93 by Eychung from New York

Dec 08, 2022
 
Rated: 4.24 by meanmutt from Ohio

Nov 01, 2022
 
Rated: 3.25 by mpenske from California

Oct 02, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by Ushouldbeworkinh from England

Sep 18, 2022
ESB from Fuller's
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 3156 ratings