River Runner
James River Brewery
- From:
- James River Brewery
- Virginia, United States
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #110 - ABV:
- 4.7%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #29,922 - Avg:
- 3.67 | pDev: 11.99%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sep 25, 2025
- Added:
- May 05, 2015
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
85
Very Good
85
Very Good
Gold medal winner and best of show winner at the 2016 Virginia Craft Brewers Cup! Don’t let the name fool you: ESBs really aren’t bitter. Brewed with pale and crystal malts, as well as British Fuggle hops, River Runner is our take on a traditional English-style pale sle. Its medium copper color and ultra-mild hops are perfectly balanced by bold malts. Light and smooth with a mild malty aftertaste, you definitely don’t want to miss out.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by vainosuomi from Virginia
3.32/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
3.32/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
L-Dark, fairly opaque amber, off-white head
S-Dull pine and floral hops
T-Hop forward, followed by sour fruit and a hint of sweetness. Dry bitter finish.
F-Medium body, fairly carbonated
It's decent.
Apr 25, 2020S-Dull pine and floral hops
T-Hop forward, followed by sour fruit and a hint of sweetness. Dry bitter finish.
F-Medium body, fairly carbonated
It's decent.
Rated by ThePold from Virginia
4.33/5 rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev +18%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Extreme Pizza. Dark, and pretty good.
Dec 14, 2019
Reviewed by teromous from Virginia
3.85/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.85/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I don't see a date on the can.
Appearance: The body is a cloudy umber-brown with a short white head. Good retention.
Aroma: There is a light aroma of sweet smelling caramel and candy sugar. A light note of lemon and orange peel is also present.
Taste: There is a wonderful flavor of lime and mint with what tastes like green tea. It has a bit of a Kombucha flavor.
Mouthfeel: It is smooth and medium bodied with good carbonation and a light bit of acidity.
Overall: This tastes and smells a lot more like a modern take on an English ESB rather than being an actual ESB. It's a bit like Kombucha meets ESB someplace in the middle and they shake hands, with a minty and slightly sweet green tea flavor that mixes with a touch of caramel sweetness. If you know what you're getting into this beer is worth drinking. I could drink it again from time to time. It's worth at least trying once.
Oct 12, 2019Appearance: The body is a cloudy umber-brown with a short white head. Good retention.
Aroma: There is a light aroma of sweet smelling caramel and candy sugar. A light note of lemon and orange peel is also present.
Taste: There is a wonderful flavor of lime and mint with what tastes like green tea. It has a bit of a Kombucha flavor.
Mouthfeel: It is smooth and medium bodied with good carbonation and a light bit of acidity.
Overall: This tastes and smells a lot more like a modern take on an English ESB rather than being an actual ESB. It's a bit like Kombucha meets ESB someplace in the middle and they shake hands, with a minty and slightly sweet green tea flavor that mixes with a touch of caramel sweetness. If you know what you're getting into this beer is worth drinking. I could drink it again from time to time. It's worth at least trying once.
Reviewed by Zraly from Virginia
4.07/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.07/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
On the lighter end of the spectrum for the ESB style, this brew is malty goodness to the nose. Light copper in color. Balanced, clean, caramel malt flavors come through with a hint of nuttiness toward the finish. Crisp, dry on the finish with just a touch of sweetness lingering. Medium-light bodied. Textbook usage of malt and highly drinkable. Very nice.
Jul 18, 2018
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