Thames Welsh ESB
Felinfoel Brewery Co.

Thames Welsh ESBThames Welsh ESB
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From:
Felinfoel Brewery Co.
 
Wales, United Kingdom
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 12.87%
Reviews:
107
Ratings:
122
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 09, 2020
Added:
May 01, 2002
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by mempath:
Photo of mempath
Reviewed by mempath from Pennsylvania

4.57/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
a-deep red, like a barrel proof bourbon (i.e., Stagg, cream-colored suds, fluffy, thick, pleasant to look at...nothing watery here. as it goes down, the lacing is nice with little leggy islands among continents. a nice rorschach test if needed...

s-very pleasant. sweet, fresh berries, fresh cut hay field, almost floral

t-incredible balance of sweetness and bitterness...each melds to the other in a way that truly makes the whole greater than the parts. totally enjoyable, almost exceptional except it isn't extra bitter or sweet in either case. not a bad thing at all. there is complexity here that unfolds gently throughout the pint glass. a few sips later, i catch more sweetness...the bitterness evades even more.

m-there is something 'metallic' here, but not unpleasant or anything i consider negative. at least with this pour. it is neither thick nor thin. as the pint goes to below the halfway mark, i am sensing the nose elements initially experienced finally asserting in the finish: floral-berry notes. though not ever 'too' sweet, this is as 'sweet' as i care to get.

d-not really challenging, but more like intriguing which will make an accessible beer for those who stick with the norm...this is a world-class brew that can be thoroughly enjoyed by expert and novice. i prefer more of a challenge, but on those days i don't, this will serve me fine while still giving me much more than any unidimensional beer/ale ever could. highly recommended.
Feb 22, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.77 by smi69 from New York

Jul 09, 2020
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Light opaque brown pour. There's a weird tea like aroma. Like more than hops, although I'm sure the tea like notes are derivative of the earthy noble Euro hops they likely used in this. Nonetheless, that was my impression.

Biscuits made with dark wheat taste sensation, some bitterness, like a dark sourdough nutty bread. The format leads to excessive pricing per oz, but if you could get these like in a normal 4 or 6 pack, it would be ok. I mentioned toffee and tea in the mouthfeel right?
Sep 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.83 by vonSchulze from California

May 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by wrightst from Maryland

Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by threedaggers from Kentucky

Feb 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Dec 10, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by BillRoth from Maryland

Dec 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

Aug 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by jzlyo from Iowa

Jul 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by mrfrancis from Kentucky

Jun 25, 2013
Photo of kvnstfrd
Reviewed by kvnstfrd from Missouri

3.52/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
The pour was a cloudy deep reddish brown with a 1.5-finger off-white head that dissipated quickly. The aroma was toffee with a hint of holiday fruitcake. The flavor was toasty, nutty and a good dose of caramel malts. Slight hints of figs and ripe cherries just before the hops become noticeable. Herbal, resiny hops, but not a lot of bitterness. Overall, fairly well balanced. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and carbonation is medium, as well.
Apr 21, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by matjack85 from Illinois

Feb 02, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by cliff1066 from Virginia

Dec 22, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by bzach from Indiana

Oct 16, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by kobeer from Texas

Jul 27, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by jak from North Carolina

Dec 26, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire

Nov 28, 2011
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a clouded body the color of fine, aged leather. Modest-sized head of large, dissipating suds.

Smell: Cut hardwood planks layered with sweet-scented caramel and toffee and a good whiff of holidaytime fruitcake splashed here and there with bottled bitters.

Taste: Lightly toasty, nutty, even woody maltiness with a big boost of candyish toffee sweetness. Noted fruity esters tasting of figs and tart cherries. Herbaceous, resiny hops with more than enough bitterness to ride out until the dry, mineral-hinted, earthy finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Low carbonation.

Drinkability: A good, decent Welsh ESB and a pleasant early-evening brew, though there are a few others I'd sooner reach out my grubby hands for.
Aug 09, 2010
Photo of thierrynantes
Reviewed by thierrynantes from France

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (50 cl.), tasted in 2010.

Appearance : amber color, with tan foamy head.
Smell : roasted malt and caramel aromas.
Taste and mouthfeel : toffee and caramel flavors with a nice bitter finish.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style English ESB.
Jun 27, 2010
Thames Welsh ESB from Felinfoel Brewery Co.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 122 ratings