Ellie's ESB
Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery

 

 

 

(Was listed as 5.0% ABV at the time of my visit to Top of the Hill Brewery).

Appearance: Clear, amber body with a small, white head.

Smell: Mild malt presence with some light earthy hop hints and that's all!

Taste: Amber malt flavor with a drizzle of caramel sweetness. Light peach and apricot fruitiness. Very mild, earthy bitterness. Sweetish finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Better suited as an amber, but as such it's alright and easily drinkable.

The Ellie's ESB was signed as an "Extra Special Amber" which, in the barkeep's words, was because people saw bitter and wouldn't drink it. The brew poured from the tap a nice amber color with a two-finger white head. The head faded as I went through my pint and left little lacing on the glass. The smell was hoppy and had hints of earthiness and spice. The taste was average for an ESB; it did not make me say wow, but it wasn't bad either. Just, well, average. The yeast strain used for this beer left a distinct aftertaste in this brew or there was too much biscuit malt in the batch. The mouthfeel was good. It had nice body but was not at all heavy. This beer is very drinkable if you were looking for a session brew in the UNC area that had something more to offer than a lager. Overall it was enjoyable; it's worth a try if you're in the pub.

The beer arrived on the bar clear pale golden with a low but lasting white head that worked it's magic on the glass.

The aroma was fruity with a strong showing of DMS (cooked corn) some caramel and a light earthy quality.

The flavor was grainy, as if 6 row was being used, with a slightly earthy character and more of that DMS flavor.

The finish was dry with lasting earthy bittering into the aftertaste. The body was medium. The beer would be much better without all the DMS and without the grainy character. Not well done...skip it..

Imperial Pint at bar. The handle said this was a Pale, but the barkeep said it was their ESB.