Tenth Anniversary Ale
Grizzly Peak Brewing Company

Two blocks over and its another Ann Arbor brewpub enjoying their 10th Anniversary with yet another ESB, though this one a little more traditional and a good update on previous Anniversary ESB's from Grizzly.

Pours the last shade of amber before you start calling it red or at least pinkish rose. Dead clear with a light head on top.

Smells of floral and sweetly woody hops, nutty but serene malt, and a dollop of cherry-scented esters. Nice balance of elements and subtly inviting.

Taste is balanced like the nose, allowing each ingredient to play its part. Initially crackling with British hops, the malt is stunningly smooth and deftly intertwines the softest graininess and subtlest caramel flavors into the lightly lemony but fully earthy, herbal bitterness. Yeast accent is a little more subdued on the palate than the nose, quietly, if at all, asserting some Ringwood presence. Traditional and integrated in its flavor.

Drinkable in the least, the mouthfeel could use a little more girth and texture as right now its just slick and low on carbonation. In all a fine quaffer and a full dollar less pint-for-pint than the similar effort east on Washington Street.