Bull Kelp ESB
San Juan Island Brewing Co.

Bull Kelp ESBBull Kelp ESB
Beer Geek Stats
From:
San Juan Island Brewing Co.
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
+4 ratings needed
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 6.27%
Ratings:
6 | reviews: 4
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 16, 2023
Added:
Sep 02, 2017
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by Sound_Explorer:
Photo of Sound_Explorer
Rated by Sound_Explorer from Washington

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Nov 07, 2020
More User Ratings:
Photo of sulldaddy
Reviewed by sulldaddy from Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sampling a cellar temp 16 oz can , date stamp is 11/10/2022. my can also says 5.7% abv, not 5.5% listed.
The beer pours a clear copper color with dense creamy eggshell white to beige colored head of 2.5 CM. I get some scattered lattice when I swirl the glass. The foam remains as a sturdy surface covering throughout the sampling.
Aroma is some toffee and nutty almond notes mixing with some biscuity malt too. Hops show up as a bit of an herbal tea note. No hint of the ABV
First sip reveals a medium body with smooth texture with very fine and tingly carbonation. Texture is smooth and the beer drinks very easy.
Flavor is similar to the nose, with some toffee and biscuit and again some almond notes and this rolls to herbal tea bite that dries out my palate. The hops linger a bit with that tea flavor.
This is an easy drinker malt forward, yet balanced beer. Glad to have tried this one.
Apr 16, 2023
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

3.77/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had a pint at the brewpub on 6.9.21 for $6.00.

Beer was served honey gold with a nice white head.

Nose was true to style, biscuits were front and center.

Taste was a nice biscuit malt base with notes of toffee finishing with a balanced citrus hop.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and not overly smooth or refreshing.

Overall always enjoy having this style when available!
Jun 10, 2021
Photo of Pivopijak
Rated by Pivopijak from Washington

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
draught
Dark orange color. Sweet spice and malt nose. Medium bodied. A bit of roasted malt bite.
Jul 19, 2019
Photo of BBThunderbolt
Reviewed by BBThunderbolt from Kiribati

3.28/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Served in straight pint glass. Poured a medium chestnut brown color, with a thin cap of off-white head that had no retention or lacing.

The aroma was malty and sweet, and had a low, gentle hop scent. Pretty similar on the tongue, but not quite as sweet as the aroma, with just a tickle of hops at the back.

The medium body was fairly typical for the style. Drinkability was good enough, I drank my pint easily enough, but wasn't left wanting another. Overall, a solid enough brew, probably worth a shot if you see it, and it's a thing you're in the mood for.
Feb 16, 2018
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.58/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Clear orange-tinged amber in the Wander tulip. Modest foam but plenty of spritz on the tongue. Light bodied with a malty sensation. Pleasant aroma of bread and roasted grain. Biscuity with some malty sweetness. There's a touch of herbal hops and a distinct bitter aftertaste.

Overall a pleasant hop-kissed brew that is a distinct change from the usual pale ales and browns of the brewpub standards. From the 32 oz growler filled at the brewery restaurant.
Sep 02, 2017