-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
ESB
Redhook Brewlab
- From:
- Redhook Brewlab
- Washington, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #121 - ABV:
- 5.8%
- Score:
- 78
Ranked #26,908 - Avg:
- 3.42 | pDev: 14.33%
- Reviews:
- 882
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Aug 10, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 30, 2001
- Wants:
- 35
- Gots:
- 290
Brewed in the style of a traditional British ESB (Extra Special Bitter), we’ve been making ESB continuously since 1987, and it’s now the benchmark for the Amber beer category. Despite having “bitter” in its name, Redhook ESB is really not that bitter at all. This brew is all about the balance of caramel malt sweetness completed by spicy, citrusy hops.
28 IBU
28 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.08/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.08/5 rDev -9.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Sep. 2014: Sample from bottle at Vecturamesse. Brown colour, Some caramel in aroma and flavour. The flavour is otherwise too bland for an ESB, with too moderate hops. Will re-rate when I get a full bottle.
Dec 02, 2022Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
3.69/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
one of the iconic early craft beers of the region, not sure how i have not reviewed it until now. it always brings me back to when this sort of thing was popular, alaskan amber, fat tire, those were the days. nice clearish amber tone to this one, good head too, thick and just off white with some nice lacing. it smells nutty and european, english and caramelized but not all that sweet, fairly well hopped for what it is too, although not particularly distinct in that regard. the flavor is balanced, i like the yeast element, this is dry and clean but there is some bready yeast character to it making it a little more complex and dynamic than a lot of beers in its field. the hops are bitter without having a ton of flavor, but they start early so its not just a finishing element. nice against the sturdy grain base thats not as rich or big as it smells, notes of toffee and honey but nothing too toasted or anything, this isnt heavy beer despite being malt forward. some appreciable mineral character in here, nice carbonation, and overall i think probably one of the better beers these guys make. legendary for a reason, underrated i reckon, a sturdy slightly americanized take on the style, but i like this beer, its a classic.
Oct 29, 2021Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon
3.73/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Look: Clear light amber red with a billowing off-white head that pillows up and slowly recedes, leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Floral hops, freshly baked bread, earthy hop notes, and light wafts of caramel
Taste: Follows nose well but much more pronounced caramel malt and floral hop notes. Earthiness and even some light spicy hops along with rich breadiness hold down the middle and finishes with flowers and caramel-slathered bread
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, medium-high carbonation, very clean, surprisingly smooth throughout, and a light tongue-prickling finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. I hadn’t had one in awhile but this beer helped introduce me to the ESB style many years ago and glad it is still quite enjoyable today. Well balanced hop and malt, along with a great feel come together to make this beer the tasty treat it is. A classic and definitely recommended for anyone interested in trying out a solid example of this highly underrated and criminally underrepresented style
Dec 05, 2020Aroma: Floral hops, freshly baked bread, earthy hop notes, and light wafts of caramel
Taste: Follows nose well but much more pronounced caramel malt and floral hop notes. Earthiness and even some light spicy hops along with rich breadiness hold down the middle and finishes with flowers and caramel-slathered bread
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, medium-high carbonation, very clean, surprisingly smooth throughout, and a light tongue-prickling finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. I hadn’t had one in awhile but this beer helped introduce me to the ESB style many years ago and glad it is still quite enjoyable today. Well balanced hop and malt, along with a great feel come together to make this beer the tasty treat it is. A classic and definitely recommended for anyone interested in trying out a solid example of this highly underrated and criminally underrepresented style
Reviewed by dunkel_weizen from Oregon
3.31/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.31/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
6 month old bottle, head is white and splotchy with mild retention and about 1 finger thick at pour. Nice straightforward nose, with hints of flowers, minty hops, and some citrus and herbal tones. Pour was light, and consistent strong carbonation throughout with a crisp clear apricot color. The body is seems rather thin to me. Taste has an immediate bitter note that pleasantly rounds out with a nice nutty character, with notable malt and some light hop. The lighter notes noticed on the nose reappear after a notable delay, as a pleasant finish.
Although it has a notable medicinal vibe, it's a good refreshing ESB in a region where they are hard to come by. This seems like a nice spring or fall beer to me, although it could be enjoyed year round.
May 01, 2020Although it has a notable medicinal vibe, it's a good refreshing ESB in a region where they are hard to come by. This seems like a nice spring or fall beer to me, although it could be enjoyed year round.
ESB from Redhook Brewlab
Beer rating:
78 out of
100 with
2146 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!