Extra Special Britt
Southern Oregon Brewing Company

Ferric oxide orange with hazard cone highlights. A thick slice of golden sand colored foam looks good up top and manages to hang around for a spell. Small patches of lace stick in the end.

The nose is balanced between lightly toasty malt and fruity-herbal hops. Challenger and Goldings give an authentic English ESB vibe, but don't add a ton of olfactory personality. This one could go in either direction on the palate.

Like most everything from Southern Oregon Brewing, Extra Special Britt is pretty good beer without being really, truly, wow-this-is-amazing beer. Points for tasting like an English ESB and for having enough hoppiness for us Yanks (32 IBUs).

The toasted, earthy, nutty quality of the grains probably means that Munich is in the house. More caramel and fewer melanoidins would have been better, but that's strictly personal preference. Something is appealingly spicy. It's most likely hops, but it could be a small percentage of rye malt.

ESB has a 'spiced iced tea' quality that I'm enjoying more and more with each passing ounce. That (along with a cumulative alpha acid raspiness) is prompting me to increase the taste score to a more deserving number. This stuff is tasty on its own and should accompany most pub grub with equal ease.

Although the mouthfeel doesn't quite measure up, it's fine for the style and the ABV. The carbonation is lightly sparkly and does what it can to make up for a wee lack of size and creaminess.

In the final reckoning, Extra Special Britt ESB Ale is the best SOBC beer that I've had yet. It won't make anyone forget the Pacific NW's best, but it's a worthwhile purchase all the same. Too bad more people haven't had the chance to try it.

Poured from the 22oz bottle into a pint glass. Body is a copper brown topped by a half finger of tan head. Aroma of sweet caramel malt, with a whiff of honey and some very mild, fruity hops hanging in the background.
Palate is mellow and well-balanced. The caramel malt lends a good bit of sweetness, but it must be cut with some pale or carapils to keep it from being overly sweet. Mild hops lend a slight zing of bitterness, along with a touch of light, fruity flavor. Finish is smooth and mellow, with a lingering mild fruitiness.
Body is smooth and nicely creamy on the swallow. This is a nicely drinkable ESB, although the malt profile is a little more assertive than is traditional.