Santiam Spitfire ESB
Santiam Brewing Company

 

** Note that this beer seems to be listed under both this listing and Spitfire Amber as for some time, they dropped ESB from the name though left it under the description and now just call it Santiam Spitfire, though again, English style Extra Special Pale Ale is the description. Also, current version is 6.2% ABV**

Look: Ruby red and clear with an off-white, pillowy head that recedes leaving good looking lace
Aroma: Caramel, toffee, biscuit-like malt notes, some sweetness, grassy and floral hops, fruity esters
Taste: Floral and grassy hops up front followed quickly by big, bready maltiness, more pronounced fruitiness [esters], some toffee sweetness round in out. Good bite on the finish
Mouthfeel: Velvety smooth and riding the middle line well – rich but not heavy and slightly dry on the finish. Medium carbonation
Overall: Huge winner here and easily my favorite English style bitter – a style often hard to come by in general so am blessed to have these folks as a local brewery to me. I’ve been a sucker for this beer since Santiam first opened their doors and almost impossible for me to pass up a pint whenever I see it on tap or before this pandemic, on cask which they also often have as well.

Wonderful esb especially the cask version. My staple here and would get a 5 but for occasional inconsistencies

 

Cask version

 

 

 

Clear amber with a cream colored head. No lacings. Smell is bready. Taste is big malts with a touch of bitter English hops. I have seen the abv. listed as 5.5, 6.0, and 6.2. I think this version is 6.2%. Mouthfeel is fine for the style could use more carbonation. Overall too much malt and alcohol. The ratio of hops to malt is fine just needs to be dialed down to a 5 to 5.5% abv. to be just right for an ESB. I guess over all I would rather have it in it's present version than not at all. ESB's are hard to find in the Craft beer community.

 

Pint glass poured from a growler poured today at the brewhouse. $12 Classic good looks to this dark amber beer with a nice thick eggshell white head. pretty malt driven aroma..bready,caramel little nutty Taste is more substantial with all of the above plus a nice English hop profile at the back of the mouth..some tobacco//nice Good mouthfeel very understated and to style as far as carbonation. Nice ESB will be back for more