Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)

Learn more about the Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB) style of beer.

Extra Special Bitters are essentially more aggressive and more balanced Bitters, both in alcohol and hop character. They shouldn't be overpowering, however. The color range will be similar, though ESBs lean toward the darker end of the scale; dark golds to copper. Low in carbonation, this style is commonly served on cask. Malts, often toasty and fruity, tend to be more pronounced, with the possibility of some diacetyl notes. And despite the word "bitter" in the name, these beers are not really all that bitter. The key to an ESB is balance and drinkability.

ABV: 4.0–7.0% | IBU: 20–40 | Glassware: Pint Glass (or Becker, Nonic, Tumbler)

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Style Examples - 1 to 50 (out of 2538)
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Name  |  Brewery ABV Ratings > Avg Last Active
ESB
Fuller's
5.903,1564.0602-02-2024
Hobgoblin Ruby
Wychwood Brewery Company Ltd
5.002,7643.7611-21-2023
Sawtooth
Left Hand Brewing Company
5.302,2003.7201-31-2024
ESB
Redhook Brewlab
5.802,1463.4208-10-2023
Harvest Ale
Southern Tier Brewing Company
6.701,7993.8411-22-2022
Winter Storm
Heavy Seas Beer
7.501,1013.801-13-2024
Iron Maiden Trooper
Robinsons Family Brewers
4.701,0843.4502-02-2024
Bombardier Amber Beer
Eagle Brewery
4.701,0643.7701-18-2024
Old Thumper
Shipyard Brewing Company
5.607613.5911-22-2022
Abbot Ale
Greene King / Morland Brewery
5.007263.6612-26-2023
Anvil
AleSmith Brewing Company
5.506833.8803-19-2021
Scarlet Lady Ale
Stoudts Brewing Co.
5.006813.6202-29-2024
Extra Special Ale (ESA)
Yards Brewing Co.
6.006513.7203-10-2024
Foster's Premium Ale
Foster's Group Limited
5.506212.903-10-2024
Ale
Black Sheep Brewery PLC
4.405903.705-31-2023
Sawtooth Nitro
Left Hand Brewing Company
5.305633.3811-27-2022
Belk's ESB
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
6.805463.7805-03-2021
ESB
Green Man Brewery
5.504943.7201-27-2024
Young's Special London Ale
Eagle Brewery
6.404603.9506-26-2023
Motor Boat
SweetWater Brewing Company
5.604563.7210-09-2019
ESB Special Ale
Ska Brewing Co.
5.704023.5804-26-2019
Old Man
Tree House Brewing Company
5.403903.8709-02-2023
Autumn Ale
Short's Brewing Company
5.753693.6408-13-2021
Winter ESB
The Schlafly Tap Room
5.803273.7809-09-2016
Halloween Ale
Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
6.003243.7312-04-2018
Bishops Finger
Shepherd Neame Ltd
5.403233.6603-09-2024
13 Rebels ESB
French Broad River Brewing
5.202603.5501-15-2022
Beast Bitter
Middle Ages Brewing Co., Ltd.
5.302433.9110-30-2018
Moondog Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
5.502173.9312-28-2023
Magnumus Ete Tomahawkus ESB³
Rock Art Brewery
8.002133.7810-07-2020
The Wise ESB
Elysian Brewing Company
5.902093.8807-24-2017
Red Rack Ale
Woodstock Inn Brewery
5.502043.4106-16-2023
14* ESB
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
5.601973.903-14-2022
Christmas Ale
Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
6.201973.7901-16-2018
Bachelor ESB
Deschutes Brewery
5.301943.8906-08-2021
Young's Ram Rod
Eagle Brewery
5.001863.8811-10-2021
Minaret Extra Special Bitter
Cigar City Brewing
6.001863.7611-11-2018
Bleeding Buckeye Red Ale
Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus
5.701803.4805-12-2018
Lancaster Bomber
Banks's Park Brewery
4.401793.4710-17-2022
Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
Propeller Brewing Co
5.001633.8706-25-2023
Wooly
Magic Hat Brewing Company
4.501623.1512-23-2015
Red Racer India Style Red Ale
Central City Brewers + Distillers
5.501553.9604-05-2019
Public Ale
Community Beer Company
5.501523.7107-08-2020
Batemans XXXB
George Bateman & Son / Batemans Brewery
4.801483.8601-09-2024
Steel Wheels ESB
Blue Mountain Brewery
6.501483.7910-02-2021
Naughty Hildegard ESB
Driftwood Brewery
6.501474.2312-03-2023
XX Bitch Creek
Grand Teton Brewing Co.
7.501443.9805-08-2018
Jack The Sipper
Southern Prohibition Brewing
5.001423.7801-26-2024
Adnams SSB (Suffolk Special Bitter)
Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery
4.501413.8608-19-2015
Saranac ESB
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
5.501383.3205-25-2016
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