Extra Special Sichuan
Edmund's Oast Brewing Company

 

Picked up a four-pack from Whole Foods on Hendersonville Road 1-7-25 for $12.49. Canned on 9-18-24; consumed first can for review 1-20-25.

Beer poured an orangish brown with a very nice off-white head that has some nice hang time.

Nose was a faint whisper of citrus and a touch herbal, maybe black pepper.

Taste is a light caramel and pale malt base that takes on the pepper adjunct that lends a herbal slant to the flavor initially but then the citrus focused hops blend in nicely. Finishes balanced; 5/10 on my bitterness scale.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and pretty smooth and refreshing.

Overall, an interesting brew. The pepper and hops complement each other pretty well.

Undated 16 oz can from the Wall of Beer in Clemson SC ($3.00).

Appearance. Pours with a slightly hazy, dark amber colored body. The head is initially good sized but quickly recedes to a nearly negligible partial ring.

Contrary to my expectations, this ESB with Sichuan peppercorns is mildly warm rather than somewhat hot. That's not to say the peppercorns are hard to notice. Instead, they bring a clear peppery note to the flavor and dominate the aroma with notes of peppers and peppercorns. The more balanced flavor has an admirable mix of bready malts and peppercorns, with a fine aftertaste of peppery baked bread.

 

 

From the pint can, it pours a clear amber color with a really nice off-white head that lasts. With the final pour, the peppercorns turn the formerly clear amber brew opaque and cloudy. The nose gets assaulted by the scent of peppercorns over bready malt. The mouth gets a solid brew with a nice spicy peppercorn bite.

A: The beer is hazy yellowish amber in color (light brown when viewed from afar) and seems to have a light to moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high off white head. that died down and left a minuscule collar around the edge, delicate lacing on the surface, and specks of bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of caramel and pale malts are present in the nose along with hints of Sichuan peppercorns.
T: The taste has flavors of Sichuan peppercorns and underlying caramel and pale malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The Sichuan peppercorns lend some slight hints of heat to the taste.
O: I found that the addition of
Sichuan peppercorns to this beer worked out very well as they weren't overpowering in any way and added an extra dimension of flavors to the taste.

Serving type: can

 

16 oz can, dated 6/30/21

clear, golden orange color, thick cream colored head. good head retention. big aroma of spicy peppercorn and bready malt. similar flavor, great combination of traditional ESB flavors and nice twist on the style. flavor but still easy drinking. medium bodied.

 

 

Pours a rich translucent amber, two-inch head that settles to a solid ring; moderate carbonation visible on the the surface. Aroma is fantastic - toasty malts mixed seamlessly with the earthy citrus of Sichuan peppercorn. Taste follows the nose, striking all the notes you'd want from the peppercorn - citrus peel, fruitiness - combined with a slight malt sweetness and cracked wheat. I might be imagining, but I do get a slight ma la tingle after a few sips as well. Mouthfeel a bit thin but very refreshing. Most enjoyable was that the addition of the peppercorn played right into the style - very much recommend!