Nestucca ESB
Pelican Brewing Company

 

From BeerAdvocate Magazine #73 (Feb 2013):

American gown Fuggles and Goldings hops are more than noticeable. Very much brewed to style and this years version has been lowered to 5.4% abv from 6.0%+ for a more sessionable feel. A lot of depth to this beer. Brings back memories, that is how authentic this ale is.

STYLE: ESB
ABV: 5.4%
AVAILABILITY: Spring Seasonal

LOOK: Deep copper hue. epic towering head

SMELL: Herbal, peppery, earthy, salty, kumquats, green tea, dried grass, faint caramel

TASTE: Smooth, mildly crisp pop, quite malty, slightly biscuity, hint of caramel, ample hop character, toasty, balanced bitterness, mineral, herbal, orange peel, spicy, mild esters, melon, semi-dry hoppy finish

Appearance- Pours up what would seem a first to be gushing head but actually gives only a finger's worth. Okay retention. The head is an off-white/beige while the body is a medium to dark amber which appears as a pale to medium amber when held up to the light. Lacing is mostly sheeting that extends from the surface of the beer at the moment.

Nose- Nice, fruity esters. Pretty good presence. Pretty surprising from a year old beer. Citrus, lemon and orange. Even a little peach. Notes of biscuit and grain. A little bit of grassiness. Some touches of caramel and honey as well. Swirling shows a slight mustiness, grapefruit.

Taste- Caramel hits you at first with light touches as it moves into base mixed with citrus, orange and lemon, and biscuit and grain. Slight woody notes flit around the edges with hints of pine and resin. A little mineral or chalky on the finish. Some grassiness on the finish as well. Lacks presence to some extent but still maintains a good amount of complexity. Slight hints of black tea. Definitely shows the age but is still an above average beer. I'm going to have to grab a fresher bottle next spring and append this review. Hops are minimal but they are still kicking around.

Mouthfeel- Between light and medium bodied with a tiny bit of syrup to the texture. Too carbonated which undermines the style quite a bit.

Drinkability- Fairly easygoing and shows many of the characteristics of the ESB style. 4.50 isn't bad for a bomber but I will need to try this once more to determine if it's worth it.

Overall- Above average beer which I almost didn't review but I figured I can always add more later. No flaws and a pretty easy drinking beer. Even despite the age, I would still suggest trying it.

 

 

 

 

Poured from 22oz bomber into a dimpled mug. Beer foamed up rather annoyingly when the bottle was first opened.

Appearance: murky orange hue with a thick finger of frothy ivory foam atop. Quite attractive for the style.

Smell: aroma is sweet and caramelly with a light fruitiness and a little bit of earthy hop character coming through. Not too bad.

Taste: a little less sweet and caramelly than the aroma, although with a little bit of yeastiness and a little bit of breadiness. Hop character is low and bitterness is low to moderate. I was thinking that this gusher might have been infected based on its carbonation, but it appears to be as clean as can be. I actually kind of like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a big carbonation and concomitant creaminess. Not quite as explosive as the initial burst would suggest, though.

Overall: a tasty ESB with a nice texture. Open carefully, but enjoy thoroughly.

Poured from a bomber in a pint glass.
Nice color of an orange/amber hue with a good head.
The nose is subdued (my fridge is pretty cold) but I was able to pick up some bready malt and caramel along with some mild hops.
The taste followed suit with more malt and a nice hop bitter finish. I liked the balance in the mouth, not too much carbonation plus some nice creaminess. Overall this was a way above average ESB.

Poured into straight pint glass. Poured a slightly hazy light-medium amber color with about a half-inch of off-white head that had moderate retention and no lacing.

The aroma had nicely solid, yet mellow, grainy malts, some smooth and gentle hops, and had a slight floral note. The flavors were a repeat, good grains, smooth, even-handed hops and just a tickle of a tangier hop on the finish.

The body was very good, smooth and easy, with a nice malt finish that wasn't sticky or too sweet. Overall, a very nice beer that is more true to style than a lot of American brewers' takes on this British classic. A must try if you see it.

For context: my favorite go-to session beer was Deschutes ESB, discontinued about 11 months ago.

This ESB becomes, in my opinion, the best Oregon brewed offering of the traditional English style.
22 oz bomber, enjoyed over a one hour ‘session’.

Pours a great orange copper color with a rich head, though not long lasting.

A bit too cold at first, but 15 minutes later it reaches a peak of mild hop / bread-like malt balance that is just plain rewarding for the drinker. Near perfection in its subtle, drinkable, crisp refreshing goodness. I love this beer. Wish it were somehow widely available in economically priced 6-packs (Pelican doesn’t do 6-pack to my knowledge). Still a bargain though in a bomber.

 

 

 

 

 

Pouts a transparent copper color with a tall white head. Head recedes faster than expected but leaves some nice lacing. Smell is a clean, crisp, fresh smell. It's sweet, maybe like white grape, with a definite nutty presence and some citrus. Taste starts with smooth light sweet malt, then a sweet citric hop. Mouthfeel is average, carbonation is expected for the just above average thickness body. Overall, this is a fantastic beer, I can't exactly put my finger on what makes it great, but it's just well put together. Props to the brewers at Pelican.

22 oz bomber from Roth’s Sunnyside Market, Salem $4.49 Copper coloured ale with a nice sized thick and frothy white head.Good retention Toasty ,nutty,floral hop aromas. Flavour is VERY balanced..almost too balanced really as nothing takes my taste buds..its a nice malty,light on the hops beer. The palate on this is very smooth and makes this just roll over the tongue and down the throat A nice drinkable..but non-descript ale
Surprising for the alc. %

 

Poured from a bomber to a pint glass.

Poured with a white head that dissipated fairly quickly. Mostly transparent copper color.

Aroma is faint, subtle spice but a bit like straight alcohol.

Flavor is bitter up front, but mellows to an almost creamy maltyness. Slight spice aftertaste with a littl bit of a cardboard flavor.

Mouthfeel is a bit shard up front. Coats the tounge a bit.

Overall it's good compared to most bitters I've had. If it didn't sit as long on the tongue I would like it more.