Stone Cat E.S.B.
Ipswich Ale Brewery
- From:
- Ipswich Ale Brewery
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
- ABV:
- 5.6%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.56 | pDev: 9.83%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 31
- Status:
- Inactive
- Rated:
- Jan 28, 2015
- Added:
- Mar 22, 2002
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by zrab11 from Indiana
3.08/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.08/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A- Pours a nice amber color with a small head and good lacing
S- Aroma has grass and carmel in it also some hops and citrus r coming through
T- Has a malt/bready begginning and then moves to a carmel taste in the middle followed by some funky bitter grassness
M-Light to medium bodied with good carbonation
D-OVerall i thought from the smell i was going to love it. but it had a werid bitter grassy taste that i didnt like. ive had a few Esb's and this one im not a fan of.
May 29, 2011S- Aroma has grass and carmel in it also some hops and citrus r coming through
T- Has a malt/bready begginning and then moves to a carmel taste in the middle followed by some funky bitter grassness
M-Light to medium bodied with good carbonation
D-OVerall i thought from the smell i was going to love it. but it had a werid bitter grassy taste that i didnt like. ive had a few Esb's and this one im not a fan of.
Reviewed by DAllspaw from Indiana
3.74/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.74/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Lighter amber color than expected from the style, white head.
First notice more of pale ale aroma than expected from ESB, less bready (citrus, pine etc). Nothing overpowering in the taste, but nothing off-putting as well, this would make a fine session beer.
Apr 08, 2011First notice more of pale ale aroma than expected from ESB, less bready (citrus, pine etc). Nothing overpowering in the taste, but nothing off-putting as well, this would make a fine session beer.
Reviewed by BeerBoss from Rhode Island
3.88/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served out of a bottle in a chilled glass.
A: Has a deep amber/brown color with a bit of cloudiness
S: A malty aroma with hints hops
T: Clean on the tounge. Has a semi sweet front with a bitter yet pleasant finish.
M: Feels good on the tounge.
O: A very drinkable beer. Nothing exceptional, but very drinkable.
Mar 24, 2011A: Has a deep amber/brown color with a bit of cloudiness
S: A malty aroma with hints hops
T: Clean on the tounge. Has a semi sweet front with a bitter yet pleasant finish.
M: Feels good on the tounge.
O: A very drinkable beer. Nothing exceptional, but very drinkable.
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island
4/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.
A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, grassy hops and a touch of citrus.
T: The taste starts out bready with a hearty malt character and flavors of caramel and nuts. Then a strong but not over-powering hops presence comes in to provide a good balance. There's some background citrus flavor as well. The after-taste is slightly bitter.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.
D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer worth drinking for a while.
Mar 12, 2011A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, grassy hops and a touch of citrus.
T: The taste starts out bready with a hearty malt character and flavors of caramel and nuts. Then a strong but not over-powering hops presence comes in to provide a good balance. There's some background citrus flavor as well. The after-taste is slightly bitter.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.
D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer worth drinking for a while.
Reviewed by porcelli426 from Colorado
3.51/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.51/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Bottle poured into a pilsner glass at a little cooler than cellar temperature
A- Hazy deep red color with hints of orange, nice copper. A solid finger of head
S- Fairly strong hop smell but it's not too prevalent
T/M-Right off the bat is a strong bitterness complimented with nice hoppy notes. Slight citrus on the back end. Medium mouth feel
D- This is a really nice beer. I don't usually care for ESBs but this one balances the bitterness well with taste.
Feb 18, 2011A- Hazy deep red color with hints of orange, nice copper. A solid finger of head
S- Fairly strong hop smell but it's not too prevalent
T/M-Right off the bat is a strong bitterness complimented with nice hoppy notes. Slight citrus on the back end. Medium mouth feel
D- This is a really nice beer. I don't usually care for ESBs but this one balances the bitterness well with taste.
Reviewed by dtivp from Pennsylvania
3.13/5 rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.13/5 rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured a dark amber with a very small light tan head that dissipated into a collar very quickly with moderate lacing.
Aroma of a sweet malt with hint of orange.
Taste was first dominated by hops then it soothed out to a grainy malt with some citrus.
Mouthfeel was medium leaning light body, needed a little thickness.
Drink-ability was average, wasn't a strong bitter beer as labeled.
Feb 13, 2011Aroma of a sweet malt with hint of orange.
Taste was first dominated by hops then it soothed out to a grainy malt with some citrus.
Mouthfeel was medium leaning light body, needed a little thickness.
Drink-ability was average, wasn't a strong bitter beer as labeled.
Reviewed by argenti44 from Florida
4.25/5 rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I drank 2 in a large frosted mug. I received them in my beer of the month Christmas Present I received from my kids.
It poured an amber orange color with an off-white 1" head that maintained well. Left a nice lace along the glass.
The smell was not overpowering I did get an earthy note as I drank it the longer I enjoyed this. I did smell a light hop note.
The taste was very light and balanced. It's low ABV made this a great beer to drink while watching the game or a great flick.
It had a dry feel up front and a creamy finish in the end where the malt an hops combined well to let me know I was drinking a craft beer and not some swill from the local stop and shop.
Again I could drink this like a session beer due to the low ABV. Not to overpowering goes well with a sophisticated meal just as it goes well with hot dogs at the game.
Jan 29, 2011It poured an amber orange color with an off-white 1" head that maintained well. Left a nice lace along the glass.
The smell was not overpowering I did get an earthy note as I drank it the longer I enjoyed this. I did smell a light hop note.
The taste was very light and balanced. It's low ABV made this a great beer to drink while watching the game or a great flick.
It had a dry feel up front and a creamy finish in the end where the malt an hops combined well to let me know I was drinking a craft beer and not some swill from the local stop and shop.
Again I could drink this like a session beer due to the low ABV. Not to overpowering goes well with a sophisticated meal just as it goes well with hot dogs at the game.
Reviewed by Cullen80 from Illinois
3.68/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.68/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A- this beer has a dusky amber hue and a light tan head. The head started out at about 3/8 of an inch from an moderate pour rate. Disipated quickly leaving moderate laceing.
S- Aromas of citrus and malts nothing is overpowering.
T- Mild malt flavors with a touch of bitterness and a slightly piney flavor on the back end.
M- The mouth on this beer could stand to be a little thicker. Its not watery but it leaves a little something to be desired.
D- Overall this is a pleasently drinkable beer
Jan 27, 2011S- Aromas of citrus and malts nothing is overpowering.
T- Mild malt flavors with a touch of bitterness and a slightly piney flavor on the back end.
M- The mouth on this beer could stand to be a little thicker. Its not watery but it leaves a little something to be desired.
D- Overall this is a pleasently drinkable beer
Reviewed by vfgccp from New York
2.37/5 rDev -33.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
2.37/5 rDev -33.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
A - Dark amber. Very nice fluffy white head. Great retention with good lacing.
S - Mild citrus, orange. Some malt. Left me wanting a lot more.
T - Very little up front. Dry feel with a pine bitterness. Somewhat dusty. Malt backdrop.
M - Dry throughout the drink and the finish. Medium body. Mild pine on the backend.
D - Taste isn't great and the almost dusty dryness wasn't particularly inviting.
Jan 26, 2011S - Mild citrus, orange. Some malt. Left me wanting a lot more.
T - Very little up front. Dry feel with a pine bitterness. Somewhat dusty. Malt backdrop.
M - Dry throughout the drink and the finish. Medium body. Mild pine on the backend.
D - Taste isn't great and the almost dusty dryness wasn't particularly inviting.
Reviewed by morebeergood from Massachusetts
3.38/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was having a few beers at Goody Glover's in the North End on Friday night, and this was the only craft beer on tap other than Harpoon. Served in a pint glass. Bright yellow color with a quickly disappearing head but lots of carbonation. Smell was grassy. Taste was fairly good, as I liked the bit of hops, but there was a nice balance with the malt. Smooth on the palate. Slight bitter aftertaste. An easy beer to not really think about and just enjoying drinking.
Dec 13, 2010
Reviewed by puboflyons from New Hampshire
3.34/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.34/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Sampled on October 19, 2010. The pour is orange-copper in tone but fairly cloudy with a long-lasting half-inch foamy light tan head. The aroma is chock full of toasted malts and bread. The body is in the medium range. The malts seem diluted by a floral hoppiness in the taste so the overall character is more like an IPA rather than an ESB.
Oct 20, 2010
Reviewed by mlazzaro from Massachusetts
3.43/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
3.43/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
a- dark red ale. weak head retention. hazy, clarity issues.
s- malty sweet smell. I feel like I can smell the bitterness.
t- clean tasting. english yeast in the end of the sip. Very flavorful, ful malt, bitterness, hops and yeast. odd end to the sip though. I really not in love with the finish.
m+d- really flavorful but a little watery for my taste. I could sip on this for a while.
not like any E.S.B. I have had.
Oct 08, 2010s- malty sweet smell. I feel like I can smell the bitterness.
t- clean tasting. english yeast in the end of the sip. Very flavorful, ful malt, bitterness, hops and yeast. odd end to the sip though. I really not in love with the finish.
m+d- really flavorful but a little watery for my taste. I could sip on this for a while.
not like any E.S.B. I have had.
Reviewed by Admiraldinty from Massachusetts
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12 oz. bottle with no freshness date (not on the box either)
Appearance: Pours a hazy amber with some fairly serious white sediment, and a 3/4 inch head. I was somewhat surprised by the sediment, since I've never really encountered it in this style.
Smell: Not a particularly evocative fragrance - some malt and caramel.
Taste: Sweet and toasted malt with some hops at the end.
Mouthfeel: Not overly prickly, medium bodied.
Drinkability: This is an ok ESB, but doesn't compare to Fuller's. I still miss Harpoon's version.
Jul 26, 2010Appearance: Pours a hazy amber with some fairly serious white sediment, and a 3/4 inch head. I was somewhat surprised by the sediment, since I've never really encountered it in this style.
Smell: Not a particularly evocative fragrance - some malt and caramel.
Taste: Sweet and toasted malt with some hops at the end.
Mouthfeel: Not overly prickly, medium bodied.
Drinkability: This is an ok ESB, but doesn't compare to Fuller's. I still miss Harpoon's version.
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