Velvet ESB
Hopworks Urban Brewery

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From:
Hopworks Urban Brewery
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #94
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
83
Ranked #23,819
Avg:
3.65 | pDev: 12.88%
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
74
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 24, 2023
Added:
May 05, 2009
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by markcp:
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Rated by markcp from Iowa

3/5  rDev -17.8%

Jul 11, 2013
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by jmdrpi from Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
on draft at the HUB location in PDX airport - served in nonic pint glass

clear, dark amber color with thin cream colored head. Nice caramel malt flavor, good depth of flavor but not too sweet. thin to medium bodied.
Apr 24, 2023
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
more of an american amber to me than an esb in almost every way, not bad beer, but didnt hit on the style really either, so mixed feelings on this one. stoked to see a new offering on tap in this market from them, so i guess thats the first thing, but this is brick red and deep for an esb, lacks the bready richness of english grain and instead has a kiled toasted nutty american red beer vibe to me, not to mention it being a little hoppy in the nose, pine and citrus peel to me, not out of place but sturdy for an esb, and the ferment seems rather minimal, if this is an english yeast strain its been deployed pretty chilly and patiently, essentially this just doesnt really seem very english to me. that said, i like the deeper malt layers, hints of pipe tobacco and leather and its still not that sweet, cherry wood, raisin, and even prune notes, but also toffee and almond and biscuit. some palate linger from the hops but again they are still in balance, and this is fresh and vibrant feeling beer, even if its not quite what i expected. less carbonation and more body than i want, so its a little slow moving, but it warms up well and hits for a malty pint, not bad, not amazing. i wanted and expected just a bit more authenticity here...
Mar 11, 2022
 
Rated: 1.62 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

May 06, 2019
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Reviewed by cjgiant from District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On cask at brewery:
Rusty brown, quite clear with a rim of froth that provides very nice lacing.

Nose is a tad weak, but mostly an earthy to tea-like maltiness with an herbal bitterness.

Taste is similar to nose, but with a brown bread maltiness. Bitterness is decent, but the overall taste ends up more balanced. Feel is a tad heavier than I'd like, but fairly clean.
Dec 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by rfreed from Washington

Aug 31, 2016
 
Rated: 3.54 by einman from Minnesota

Jul 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by AdamSkylar from Washington

Jun 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.01 by B_B from California

Mar 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.15 by Whiteweasel from Ohio

Dec 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Nov 22, 2015
Photo of vkv822
Reviewed by vkv822 from Oregon

3.55/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
64oz growler

Pours a clear, dark brown with amber highlights and a thin foamy, off white head.

Lightly roasty, nutty and cocoa notes.

Tasty, interesting take on the ESB style.
Sep 23, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kmat10 from Canada (AB)

Aug 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.02 by Bnoise11 from California

Jul 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by nathanmiller from New York

Jun 18, 2015
 
Rated: 3.46 by Moose90 from Washington

May 30, 2015
 
Rated: 3.43 by nickfl from Florida

Apr 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.43 by kamikazeokami from Oregon

Apr 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3.19 by BMESSER88 from Florida

Mar 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.27 by ninaturner from Florida

Mar 25, 2015
Velvet ESB from Hopworks Urban Brewery
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 74 ratings