Bristol Pride
The Bobcat Café & Brewery

On tap at the brewpub. Poured into a pint glass, the appearance was a bronzed golden amber color with a thin yet lasting head that dissipated at a nice pace. No lacing. The aroma had the normal qualities of an ESB, creamy sweet bready to biscuity tones with some clean fruity esters. The flavor cleanly produces the malty sweetness with some crisp nuttiness and then the fruity esters to balance. Exceptionally clean sweet malty aftertaste with a light grassy sweetness in there as well. Quick semi-sweet finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a nice sessionable smooth sweet crisp feel to it. Carbonation rides fairly easy. Smooth sweet semi-creamy effects flow over my tongue nicely. Overall, as an ESB it works and I would have again. Pass the fish n’ chips.

Served in a pint glass.

Pours a clear amber color with a thin white tan head that dissipates quickly with light lacing. Cirtus hop aroma is one note. Grapefruit and lemon hop flavor is dominant with very light malt flavor developing as the beer warms up. Medium carbonation, light body there is a slight pucker with a dry mouthfeel.
The malt character is lacking in the aroma and flavor of this beer, poor balance.

Classic amber color started this beer off on the right foot. Decent cream colored head displayed some good retention and acceptable lacing. Nose is light, some malt, some hops, rather non-descript beer. Flavors are similar, malty first cut by a bitter hop bite as the beer ends. More noticeable as it warms in my glass. Very English in style. Clean and drinkable with a light body and light/medium carbonation. Very middle of the road all around.

Served an amber with a nice bright head. Nice malt flavor balanced by some sweet hops. A nice brew to share with a burger. Not as smooth as I would have liked, but quite tasteful. Certainly try it if you hit the Bobcat. Better yet, try two. I'd like to taste this mixed with the South Mountain Stout. I gave this a 3.45 overall.

Update, 4/13/04:

They changed the recipe in feb, and the review above is on the old one. The new Bristol Pride has a touch more kick, both in alcohol and in hops. The numbers speak of this more hopped version.