ESB Special Ale
Ska Brewing Co.

ESB Special AleESB Special Ale
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From:
Ska Brewing Co.
 
Colorado, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
5.7%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.58 | pDev: 12.85%
Reviews:
185
Ratings:
402
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 26, 2019
Added:
Oct 26, 2003
Wants:
  16
Gots:
  33
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by alli4051:
Photo of alli4051
Reviewed by alli4051 from Colorado

3.56/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz can into a SA perfect pint.

Pours dark burnt orange with a slightly off-white head. Head is average sized but dissipates slowly and leaves some chunky lacing. Scent, honestly, there's not a whole lot there, some murky malts but that's all I'm getting. Taste is nicely balanced, pleasantly subtle is how I would describe it. Earthy malt profile with some nice citrusy hop tones up front. On the light side of medium with a clean finish. ESB was a style I never understood, and then it clicked today as to what exactly it was supposed to be and I felt stupid. With my new found understanding of the style this seems to be a good example. Goes down easy and I'm happy to keep throwing them back. Got this in a variety pack and definitely could have gone for more than the four that were in there.
Jan 16, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.48 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 26, 2019
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Murky (but see-through) orange-yellow color.

Bright white, frothy head; nice lacing.

Corn & bread in the nose.

Thin mouthfeel.

Corn flavor; macro lager back end.

I will avoid this beer until my dying day; this style has never been a favorite but this is just bad.
Mar 17, 2019
Photo of bks71
Rated by bks71 from Colorado

3.04/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
It's fine, but more IPA than ESB IMHO.
May 12, 2017
Photo of Eddie_Kobane
Rated by Eddie_Kobane from Illinois

2.97/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Not their best beer. But worth a try. Pretty bitter.
Apr 24, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by akolb from Colorado

Apr 23, 2017
Photo of DrMullet
Reviewed by DrMullet from Florida

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a copper color with medium head.
Smell is sweet malt and some fruit.
Taste is caramel /toffee up front followed quickly by earthy malt moderate bitterness.
Tastes better than is smells. Very nice ESB.
Mar 05, 2017
Photo of deanhead
Reviewed by deanhead from Vermont

4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Crisp and dry with some butter, malty biscuity notes. Notes of honey interwoven with some hints of clover.
Deep rich copper color with a nice head and plenty of lace. Rich malty beer.
Light bodied and highly effervescent.
Nov 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by Mattias from Sweden

Oct 07, 2016
 
Rated: 3.49 by Determined_021 from New Mexico

Oct 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.95 by JustinPStewart from Texas

May 28, 2016
Photo of larryarms847
Reviewed by larryarms847 from Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear reddish brown with a tight head.

Caramel, toffee, and slight earthy hop aroma.

Biscuits, caramelly malt sweetness, earthy/mild spice hop bitterness.

Light-bodied, low carbonation.

Overall, an easy drinking beer.
May 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by MizzouBrew from Missouri

Mar 31, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Almost light brown appearance, some dark auburn/amber and whatnot up in there. Caramel forward, minor earthy hop aroma.

Taste hit the bitter and hop notes appropriate to style, a little malty and woody, minor citrus flavors. Good golf beer, especially now that it is in a can. Solid 2nd tier esb stuff.
Mar 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.39 by Jcarriglio from Florida

Feb 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by OriginalWayOut from North Carolina

Feb 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.99 by ehmdubya from Missouri

Jan 09, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by chimneysweep from Colorado

Nov 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.47 by Keepnitrl from Washington

Nov 23, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by firkingroovin from Illinois

Nov 13, 2015
ESB Special Ale from Ska Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 402 ratings