Extra Special Bitter
Descendants Brewing at the Old Ship Inn

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From:
Descendants Brewing at the Old Ship Inn
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 9.54%
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
18
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 01, 2017
Added:
May 23, 2002
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by mrgrinch:
Photo of mrgrinch
Reviewed by mrgrinch from New Jersey

2.82/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
Appearance - Served in an Imperial Pint glass at the Ship Inn. A dark orange-to-brown color. Virtually no carbonation, nor head. Cloudy.

Smell - Sour but not unpleasant.

Taste - Bitter. But I guess that is the point. I have had bitters that are a lot more enjoyable.

Mouthfeel - Probably average for the style. But I was reminded of iced tea.

Drinkability - This beer was just okay. It's nice that one can get a pint like this, brewed in the open fermenter style like back in Mother England, and served in the Old World style. It's just that it seems more novel than it does a great brew.
Jul 31, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of ShaggaCurtisovich
Reviewed by ShaggaCurtisovich from New Jersey

4.27/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
This beer will take you for a trip back in time. The old school way of brewing with a cask and hand pump. It gets an A + because it's original. There's nothing fancy about ESB. Malty and little carbonation. Highly recommend this one.
Jan 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by larryi86 from Delaware

Jul 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Oct 22, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by BeerForMuscle from New Jersey

Oct 04, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Givemebeer from Vermont

Jul 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Tom_Gilman from Pennsylvania

Apr 04, 2013
Photo of thedoubler55
Reviewed by thedoubler55 from New Jersey

3.42/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Red in color but a bit transparent, when it got to the table there was barely any head at all, there was no lacing around the glass.

S: Slight notes of fresh hops, caramel as well as brown sugar, and nice malt at the tail end.

T: Same as the nose, but not bitter at all for a ESB, very simple tasting.

M: Almost no carbonation at all, medium bodied.

O: Overall for a nice little brewery in a small town of New Jersey this brew was not that bad. It was very simple and refreshing.
Aug 16, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by Varkias41 from New Jersey

Mar 15, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by zekeman17 from Pennsylvania

Jan 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by randomdanger from New Jersey

Nov 15, 2011
Photo of plaid75
Reviewed by plaid75 from New York

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On cask at The Blind Tiger in NYC.

Poured a hazy dark copper hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a subtle blend of mildly sweet hops and herbal hops.

The taste was very well balanced ad well with a clean malt and fresh balancing hop.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a very tasty and easy drinking ESB.
Mar 26, 2009
Photo of RblWthACoz
Reviewed by RblWthACoz from Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I got the last bit of this one out of the cask. Pours a slightly clouded amber with a frothy creme head. Nose is fruity nuts. Flavor oddly reminds me of a white wine. Chalky dryness. Feel is smooth and drier like a cotton ball. Very nice ESB. Could go for numerous of these.
Mar 10, 2009
Photo of Kwak
Reviewed by Kwak from New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5
it poured medium to light brown with a small head as expected.

the smell was of a faint hop aroma

it taste was mellow no to bitter it had a little hop aftertaste but was clean and very smooth . jut enough bitterness not over powering and very drinkable
Feb 28, 2008
Photo of jayw414
Reviewed by jayw414 from New Jersey

3.97/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
When I ordered the "Extra Special Bitter", I expected it to be both "special" and "bitter". This one was neither.

The color was a bright wheat color, with a thin off-white head. Aromas of biscuits and starch.

The mouthfeel was a bit thin; not quite what I was hoping for.

The flavor was fine, a bit delicate. More biscuity malt. It was drinkable, but nothing to travel all the way to Milford for.

In all, a pretty ordinary brew. If you're looking for a great ESB, try Fuller's.
Jul 05, 2007
Photo of jwc215
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appears bright copper with a thin, creamy head that nearly covers the top.

The smell is very mild. Some nuttiness. A faint touch of caramel.

The taste is soft - caramel and nutty. Some balancing, earthy, slightly fruity/citric hops round it out, but stay in the background.
Bready/biscuity finish.

The feel is a bit thin, but holds up enough. Smooth.

A fine "session" brew and a decent take on the style.
Apr 09, 2007
Photo of NJpadreFan
Reviewed by NJpadreFan from New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The Ship Inn- ESB

Appearance- Reddish chestnut brown with a medium size creamy head.
Smell- Strong Nutty malt with hints of caramel.
Taste- Low carbonation but just enough to give it a lively taste. Caramel malt and roasted nuts dominate. So smooth.
Mouthfeel- Big bold flavor throughout with the slightest tinge of alcohol in the tail end. A big flavorful beer.

Overall- This was my 1st beer from the Ship Inn in it was damn good! I'll be back to get a box of beer!!!
Nov 21, 2006
Photo of francisweizen
Reviewed by francisweizen from Washington

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
For starters....This is not a very bitter beer at all. In fact this is a nice amber/red coloured brew with a small off-white head that dies quickly. Aromas are of sweet biscuity malts, and light English hops. The taste is sweet and malty up front, slightly hoppy in the middle, and very bready and nice in the finish. This is VERY similar to Fullers ESB, but not quite as good. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and to style and the drinkability is good. Another good one from the ship...
Nov 15, 2004
Extra Special Bitter from Descendants Brewing at the Old Ship Inn
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 18 ratings