Sir William's ESB
Dragonmead Microbrewery

Sir William's ESBSir William's ESB
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From:
Dragonmead Microbrewery
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
4.8%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.6 | pDev: 13.33%
Reviews:
38
Ratings:
63
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 05, 2020
Added:
Oct 14, 2002
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  1
Another fine example of the English style. This Bitter is more robust than the best bitter but still with an excellent balance between hops and malt. Pale Ale Malt along with Aromatic and Crystal malts combine with the Galena and Fuggles hops to create a sure-fire favorite.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by cryptichead:
Photo of cryptichead
Rated by cryptichead from Illinois

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aug 21, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by MIBriton54 from Michigan

Feb 05, 2020
Photo of SaltofOH
Reviewed by SaltofOH from Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Bottle, no visible date. Bought this at that crappy place in Ann Arbor downtown where all the singles are out of date, not refrigerated, and in the sun. But I was there less than 24 hours and had work to do, so that's the best I could do. May be years old, some bottles were. Tulip pint.

A: Pours a hazy light brown with three fingers of foamy off-white head. Can't really see whether there is carb or not. Outstanding head retention. Some spotty lacing.

S: straight out of the fridge there is a little toasted grain and butterscotch. As it warms the butterscotch becomes caramel, and there are some mild fruity esters there in the background.

T: holy diacetyl, Batman! Arrives sweet, with loads of butterscotch. A little toasted malt on the middle, but mostly sweet grain, buttered popcorn, and butterscotch. A touch too sweet for the style. Finish is quite clean, though, with a little flash of an Earthy and woodsy English hop that finishes quite clean.

M: lighter side of mid-weight, moderate carb, somewhat astringent on the finish. Probably the best part of this beer.

O: I can't get this where I live, and I love ESBs, but I'm not heartbroken. This is a bit too sweet and although I like diacetyl in English beers, this takes it too far. Perhaps due to age; it really foamed up when I poured it, and there were bottles in that shop that were literally 4 years old. IPAs even. Glad I tried it, would not buy again.
Sep 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.29 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida

May 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by webmanspidey from Michigan

Mar 27, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by goast8127 from Michigan

Dec 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by TypsiYpsi from Michigan

Nov 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Viperman1316 from Indiana

Jul 30, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Buck_Jones from Michigan

Mar 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by jeffwright from Michigan

Feb 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kerrie from Michigan

Feb 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by Sammy from Canada (ON)

Dec 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Agentveba from North Carolina

Sep 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by detroitpat from Michigan

Aug 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by ltltony from Michigan

Aug 19, 2013
Photo of srv33
Reviewed by srv33 from Michigan

3.56/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a very dark brown into my tulip glass with a quickly dissipating head and decent fine lacing. Scent of apples, malt, and coffee, an interesting combo. Taste is a good balance between bitter hops and a decent malt backbone. Mouthfeel is medium light with little carbonation. Overall a good brew but nothing to get too excited about, my least favorite of the Dragonmead brews i've had to date (Under the Kilt and Final Absolution, both fine beers.)
Aug 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by jaminjohnson from Canada (YT)

Aug 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by mebummer from Michigan

Jul 30, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by Supergenious from Michigan

Jun 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Chimneyman from Michigan

Mar 24, 2013
Sir William's ESB from Dragonmead Microbrewery
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 63 ratings