Younger's Special Bitter
Rogue Ales

On tap at Rogue brewery in Newport. The head is 2 finger on arrival, good crown and lacing retention, focused towards the middle. The color is a solid hazy orange, with a bit of opacity. This brew is orange on the nose, some hop, and a bit of earthy notes. As far as the taste goes, this is a true bitter ESB unlike a lot of others out there. I get some strong herbal bitter notes, a lot of hop, and some faint brown malt on the backend. It finishes crisp and dry, with a astringent but not unpleasant mouthfeel.

I have had better ESBs to be frank. This is the most bitter I have had for sure, and the most floral as well, but compared to others like Ferment I am not a super fan of this brew.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the creepiest beer I have ever had. The combination of it being served warmer than the others in the flight, the fact that it had fizzy head and also has a vaguely gross "old apple juice" flavor makes for a rather unsettling sip. All in all, the old windowless rusty white van of beers.

 

 

 

 

i really dig this brew here. a well americanized take on a classic english stye.. caramel in color but nice and clear, and having almost a full inch of soft white head. the nose smells like desserty english malt, while the yeast is a burton or something similar. whats unique about this is the flavor in the middle. it has an almost holiday spice cake character, where cinnamon seems obvious, but maybe some molasses and clove too. not over spiced,or even spice per se, but that complexion is there for sure, before its all cleaned up in the finish. loading this much flavor and character into a beer with such low alcohol is a feat, unforced and natural in this beer, and very impressive. clean finishing, plenty of body, and the kind of beer i could gladly have several of given that its both sessionable and different. well done here by rogue, i prefer this to the massive imperial version.