Ellesmere Amber Ale
Common Good Beer Co.
- From:
- Common Good Beer Co.
- Ontario, Canada
- Style:
- Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
- ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- +6 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.65 | pDev: 9.04%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 09, 2025
- Added:
- Dec 12, 2020
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
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Named after a historic English town in Shropshire County and the road in Scarborough where Common Good calls home, 'Ellesmere' is our take on the classic English amber ale also known as an extra special bitter (ESB) or strong bitter. Made in an approachable style using authentic English hops (Fuggles, EKG) and malts (Maris Otter), this classic ale has notes of biscuit, toast, caramel and fruit cake. Pairs fantastically with pub food, steak and Indian curries. 30 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)
3.96/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.96/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
473 mL can; dated Oct 3 2025 and served slightly chilled. Day 3 of the 2025 Toronto Brewing advent calendar.
Pours a lovely orange-amber colour with brilliant clarity; gathered atop is half a finger of frothy, off white-tinged head that fizzles away within a minute or so. A tight collar and filmy cap remain on the surface, with the former leaving behind a beautiful swath of sponge print patterned lace every time the glass is tilted. The aroma is understated but tilts ever-so-slightly toward the malty side: toasted bread, toffee and leafy, herbal, earthy hops, with a hint of dried fruit.
It's a tasty ESB, though maybe a little on the lighter side for this style. Flavours of toffee, toasted bread and biscuity sweetness on the forefront, countered by leafy, earthy hops, orange peel and thyme spiciness later on. Bittersweet finish with hints of toffee, biscuit and earthiness that reverberate into the aftertaste. Fairly light in body, with assertive carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel; excellent drinkability.
Final Grade: 3.96, a B+. Ellesmere embodies nearly all of the qualities that I appreciate about English bitters: its balance between sweet malt flavours and earthy English hops is exquisite, making for an exceptionally quaffable ESB (or 'English Amber Ale', if you insist). It's not the most flavourful and/or memorable ale I've ever had, but I can't deny that I like it a whole hell of a lot. With Fuller's ESB and Hobgoblin having become nearly impossible to find in Ontario in recent years, I would definitely be buying this Common Good brew on a regular basis, if it were available as a single at the LCBO.
Dec 09, 2025Pours a lovely orange-amber colour with brilliant clarity; gathered atop is half a finger of frothy, off white-tinged head that fizzles away within a minute or so. A tight collar and filmy cap remain on the surface, with the former leaving behind a beautiful swath of sponge print patterned lace every time the glass is tilted. The aroma is understated but tilts ever-so-slightly toward the malty side: toasted bread, toffee and leafy, herbal, earthy hops, with a hint of dried fruit.
It's a tasty ESB, though maybe a little on the lighter side for this style. Flavours of toffee, toasted bread and biscuity sweetness on the forefront, countered by leafy, earthy hops, orange peel and thyme spiciness later on. Bittersweet finish with hints of toffee, biscuit and earthiness that reverberate into the aftertaste. Fairly light in body, with assertive carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel; excellent drinkability.
Final Grade: 3.96, a B+. Ellesmere embodies nearly all of the qualities that I appreciate about English bitters: its balance between sweet malt flavours and earthy English hops is exquisite, making for an exceptionally quaffable ESB (or 'English Amber Ale', if you insist). It's not the most flavourful and/or memorable ale I've ever had, but I can't deny that I like it a whole hell of a lot. With Fuller's ESB and Hobgoblin having become nearly impossible to find in Ontario in recent years, I would definitely be buying this Common Good brew on a regular basis, if it were available as a single at the LCBO.
Rated by Pmicdee from Canada (ON)
3.98/5 rDev +9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.98/5 rDev +9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Advent Calendar
Dec 9 2022
Dec 12, 2020Dec 9 2022
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