ESB
Forest & Main - The Brewery

Malty, Bitter
Tried from Cask at Forest & Main - Fishtown on 23 May 2026 at 14:40

The entire contents of a pint can left it for a clear glass liter mug. Well-carbonated, a generous biege head was created. The brew is cloudy brown, a little lighter than the standard Brown Ale. Sweet barley malt reaches the nose. The flavor is rich in barley malt, with a strong bitterness produced by hops and the roasting process. This is much more flavorful and bitter than a usual British Bitter. It's AVB is slightly higher, too; but, that doesn't negatively affect the overall. All this makes it an Extra Special Bitter and it is. Although there's malt flavor and some sweetness it brings, this finishes with a transition to a bitterness beyond the black coffee level. The body is rich and smooth, yet pleasant across the tongue. Its stratified glass lacing is lovely. Overall, just an excellent version of the style.

Coppery red with a thin light khaki head. Cocoa malt in the nose. Carries over to the taste, where it’s coupled with moderately-strong earthy bitterness. Fairly light bodied with unobtrusive carbonation. Not bad.

Very Good, but not great ESB. This one carries a crafty malt bitteness, uplifted with some breadiness and copper. ESB is sucha long forgotten style, grab ond of these for a good intro and representation.

 

On cask at Forest & Main Brewing in Ambler, PA.

This one pours a nice looking golden brown color, with a small foamy head, and lots of lacing.

This smells like caramel, pie crust, toasted malt, citrusy and floral hops, and biscuits.

This hits all the notes I’d expect for a cask bitter. It’s got a really nice smooth malt character – toasty, slightly sweet, and just really dense and complex. It gives off vibes of pie crush, moderately toasted dark bread, and caramel. There’s a smoothly citrusy – mostly orange – hop character, with a bit of peppery tea like bitterness.

This is light bodied, but creamy, and super drinkable.

This came off very well on cask, the cask system at this place is clearly really well cared for.

 

 

16oz can into a pint mug. No freshness dating, but of course that can proclaims "drink fresh".

Slightly hazy reddish amber body with a frothy off white head. Patches of lacing. Aroma is a mix of malt and dry tea. On tasting, it is quite bitter, drying, and tea-like, which continues into the finish.

Very disappointed with this one. Expected better from F&M. I'll stick with Fullers.

 

 

 

Pours a dark ruby from the can with a big 2" head, decent retention and very good lacing. Nose is sweet malt, light spiced hop, roasted barley, and a bit of stewed apples or pears. Taste is mildly sweet at the start (malt, red apples) before giving way to earthy, dirty hops and spice. Moderately full and creamy mouthfeel, full carbonation.

Via cask beer engine at the brewery

Fairly clear dark rust color, cream colored head. Good head retention. Aroma is very fruity. Taste is more bready but is balanced, just moderately sweet. Medium bodied, smooth feel from the cask conditioning

 

 

Poured from a 16 oz (undated) can into the test glass.
A - Beautiful copper color, excellent clarity, long lasting loose knit off white cap.
S - A kiss of caramel, herbal rustic hops. With a hint of yeasty bread rising
T - Follows the nose well, with the grain expression being more forward on the palate
M - Lite to medium on the palate, lovely depth of texture, smooth with a semi sweet finish
O - A lovely ESB that I will now seek out regularly

Thanks to CanConPhilly for this one, from NBS BIF #9. 16oz can poured into 14oz teku. Poured an attractive clean and clear medium dark brown with just under a half-inch of tan head that had great retention and moderate lacing.

The aroma had some nice base malts, a touch of grain, a hint of yeast, and some gentle floral hops.

Pretty similar on the tongue, just better defined. A wee touch of caramel also appeared on the palate.

The body was light and crisp, with a semi-sweet finish. Drinkability was very good, if this were local to me, it would be in regular rotation. Overall, a nice take on a style we don't see much of these days. Very much worth your time if you see it.

16 oz can poured into a pint glass

A- A clear amber with a two finger off white head.

S- Toasted malts, some caramel malts, a nice balancing amount of earthy hops.

T- Toasted malts, touch of fruits (apples and some dark fruits), some caramel malts, nice earthy hops.

M- Smooth, light body.

O- A very tasty ESB and very well balanced.