Best Bitter ESB
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

Best Bitter ESBBest Bitter ESB
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From:
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
5.4%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.81 | pDev: 11.02%
Ratings:
48 | reviews: 20
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 14, 2017
Added:
Feb 28, 2004
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  3
Best Bitter ESB (Extra Special Bitter) is modeled after a traditional English-style pale ale. The pleasing caramel color reflects the delicately selected grain bill. The smooth, soft-bitterness creates an eminently quaffable ale.

45 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.85 by DoctorEvil65 from Washington

Jan 14, 2017
Photo of beerjerk666
Reviewed by beerjerk666 from Florida

3.76/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a shaker style pint. No dating on bottle.

Appearance: Beautiful golden-amber colored body. High clarity. Very thin cap of head formed and disappeared quickly. No lacing.

Aroma: All malts here, minimal amount of hop presence, as is in line with the style. Also, picking up on some mild toffee.

Taste: Yep, it's all about the malts here, imo. Sweet up front with a little bitterness on the end, finishes nice and clean. Super refreshing. Hops are there

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel. Malty and juicy with a nice lingering bitterness along the outside edges of the tongue. Low carbonation.

Overall: A beer you can drink a lot of, easily! Not one of my favorite styles, but this was easy to drink and the whole bomber disappeared before I knew it! Delicious malty beer.
Nov 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by DamienI from Washington

Oct 11, 2016
 
Rated: 3.44 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Jun 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.06 by jhavs from New York

Jun 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.65 by gouettn from Washington

Apr 05, 2016
Photo of Moose90
Reviewed by Moose90 from Washington

3.22/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Served On-Tap

A — Pours a translucent and bright caramel amber color with an off-white colored head leaving behind some nice spots of lacing along the inside of the glass.

S — Smell is mild and malty with a little bit of supporting noble hop bitterness, little bit of toast and grain.

T — Mild but semi bitter and focused on malts, not a whole lot going on.

M — Light-Medium bodied, refreshing enough.

O — Good overall, just not a whole lot going on.
Jan 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by evergreen_machine from Washington

Dec 05, 2015
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Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very attractive clear coppery amber color with a decent foam in the Troubadour tulip. Sudsy and mouth filling. There is just a little sweetness and something like a touch of orange marmalade, that bitter-sweet citrus tang. Clean flavor. A dark fruity note emerges along with the hoppy bitter edge for the finish.

There is some of the mineral taste I associate with British styles. This is a milder and gentler sort of brew, even with the distinct zip of the hops. A pleasant and highly drinkable brew that makes a good example of the category, American style. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Haggen's Market in Burlington.
Jul 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.05 by Noooddle from Washington

Jul 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.68 by CoryR from Oregon

May 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.93 by will4738

May 16, 2015
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Reviewed by RenzoD from Washington

3.72/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Pretty good ESB. Amber color. Very weak head, quickly dissipates. Somewhat of a red flag.

Taste is malty upfront with a back end finish of bitterness. Very well balanced IMO.
Mouthfeel left something to be desired. Sort of flat. Could use a bit more carbonation.
Overall a decent brew that I would gladly have again.
Mar 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Erik-P from Canada (BC)

Sep 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by KStark from Canada (BC)

Sep 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Donkster46 from Washington

Aug 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by powdersoldier from Washington

Aug 11, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by Howlader from Canada (AB)

Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by mdaschaf from Indiana

May 22, 2014
Photo of jellikit
Reviewed by jellikit from Washington

3.87/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Orange. Mostly clear. Slight haze. Medium head. Thin, persistent lacing.
S: Slight floral. Small citrus. Mellow. Almos non detectable.
T: light grain. A little bread note. Medium hop bitterness at end. Small pine hints with the bittering hops.
M: medium carbonation. Nice, medium body.
O: Classic example of an ESB. Nothing stands out as deviating from the style. Easy drinking. Not too bitter. Just right.
Apr 20, 2014