ESB (Extra Special Blizzard)
Snowshoe Brewing Company

 

This is a pretty good ESB, very drinkable, pretty well balanced, but somewhat basic with little complexity and not too much going on.

Dark red brown, it has an off-white ring and wisps. Like most Snowshoe beers that I've had, except their Thompson Pale Ale (which has a good head and nice lace), it is not very impressive visibly.

The aroma is at first noticeably malty but generally so, before more becmes evident after a couple whiffs. It is mostly characterised by dark fruit rather than toasted grain or the like, and it's somewhat earthy with wet leaves and maybe a faint hint of pepper but this is unclear.

The taste is malty with a very light toasty-chocolate taste along with a little dark fruitiness, citrusy-leafy bitterness with light earthiness, balanced but with the light bitterness just dominating the sweetness by the finish. Both sweetness and bitterness linger lightly for a bit. The feel is pretty good, slightly full but still with a nice zestiness, yet only a little above average, not too exciting and with a faint watery feel.

Medium brown color. Small head. Aroma is malty. A medium-bodied, mild tasting ESB. Malts are nutty and sweet. Hops are citrusy and grapefruity. Nicely fruity, yet bitter enough for an ESB. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is bitter.