Belk's ESB
Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Belk's ESBBelk's ESB
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.78 | pDev: 11.9%
Reviews:
357
Ratings:
546
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 03, 2021
Added:
Apr 25, 2001
Wants:
  22
Gots:
  14
Inspired by the classic “Bitters” from Great Britain, our Belk’s ESB is an innovative take on the style. With a deep, golden hue and big malty foundation, the spicy, herbal hop aromas and crisp, bitter bite give a West Coast flair to this classic recipe.

Formerly Boont ESB.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by PintOHops:
Photo of PintOHops
Reviewed by PintOHops from California

3.88/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Glass - Pint

A - Very clouded orange, can't see through this one at all. It produced a 2-finger head with decent retention. It left very very nice lacing straight down the glass, so inviting.

S - I notice a bit of a peppery quality upfront with a big malty profile. I get honey, caramel, molasses, biscuit, even a bit of a candied/dried fruit quality, like dates. It's also got a nice grassy hop note but I'd say it's a bit over taken by the malts.

T - It's got this grassy & almost herbal flavor upfront, and then again on the finish. Malts are definitely there after the initial herbal hop notes. I get caramel & candied/dried fruits, quite sugary really, and it's got a good punch of bitterness on the finish that even lingers on the back of the tongue. As it warmed I got a citrus hop flavor on the finish that almost cut through the malts, as well as a bit of alcohol.

M - Soft Co2 bite, kinda thin actually, no chewy quality at all and around lite-medium in body despite the yeasty clouded appearance.

D - This ESB was a little too sweet for my liking, I like hops to dominate rather than the malts, or at least a fresher hop flavor. That being said, I like it, not my favorite but I could definitely have a couple pints when in the mood. I recommend it. Cheers!
Jun 26, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.38/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12 fl. oz. bottle, as Boont ESB, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.8%. Hazy golden colour, big white head. Moderate but pleasant aroma of fruity American hops. The flavour has first a distinct malty sweetness, immediately followed by a powerful hoppiness. Overwhelmingly bitter finish and aftertaste with grapefruity and resinous notes, even hints of wormwood.
May 03, 2021
Photo of HoppingMadMonk
Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey

3.82/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Orange yellow color.aroma is slightly floral and hops. A really well crafted beer that replicated the style well. Very well balanced as the bitterness didn't overpower but complimented the other aspects of this brew. I'm not a fan of bitter beer but this one was so well made and balanced that is was very enjoyable
Apr 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by tomb_ride from California

Nov 06, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.58/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Copper color, looks pretty, 3/5" white head. Aroma hit the bitter C hop and noble notes. Enjoyable.

Taste, one of my favorite esb's actually. More bitter than most. But not grating. Good tea biscuit pale malt usage. Crushing these is pretty nice. Hides the alcohol really well, its like an imperialized version of traditional esb, without going overboard. There wasn't too much difference between this and a lot of the uber bitter 90s ipas.
Jul 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by Nichols33 from Massachusetts

Apr 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.09 by IPAbastard760 from California

Feb 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by PaulSlazinger from Pennsylvania

Sep 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by gatorlove from Florida

Sep 23, 2015
Photo of kitch
Reviewed by kitch from Hong Kong

3.46/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A 12 fl oz bottle with no visible best by or bottled date and poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: Poured a slightly hazy orangey copper colour with a one finger off white head that dissipates within a minute leaving some stringy lacing.

Aroma: A bit weak but what little I do get is caramel malts, some fruitiness like plum, pear, apple sauce and orange plus hints of mineral notes.

Taste: Strong caramel sweetness beginning and citrus grapefruit bitterness finish with hints of pine, grass and pepper in between.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with low carbonation and dry finish.

Overall: This was decent but nothing special. I think I may prefer it more if it had a little less of the caramel sweetness.
Aug 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.04 by killcore from Russian Federation

Jul 20, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by threedaggers from Kentucky

May 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Nick29 from California

May 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by Mattias from Sweden

May 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by mmhannon from New Jersey

May 01, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Taby from California

Feb 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by crob3888 from California

Feb 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.85 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Feb 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.24 by nh1e3c from Korea (South)

Feb 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.91 by Spaceman_Jer from Colorado

Jan 30, 2015
Belk's ESB from Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 546 ratings