English Bitter or Pale Ale

That is surprising. Most of SH offerings are above average.

 

I went there almost exactly 4 months ago.

I'll grant you that I've been disappointed with generally every IPA I've had for the past two years. My wife wanted to try those so we got that flight.

I'm not absolutely certain what my impression was on the rest. But I really think I remember being disappointed in the depth of the malt flavor. English pub ales are really distinguished from one another in the malt flavor. There isn't much significant difference in the recipes. And i judge Pilsners especially Czech versions really on the malt flavors. Bready or crackery especially.
I remember all of these being very nondescript. Not the depth or complexity I was looking for.

I see now they have almost entirely hazy ipas. Those don't excite me but I'll try them to see if they're anything unique.

I'll go back sometime soonish to see if there was just something up with my taste buds at the time.

 

I had a pint of Eureka Heights Wicket Awesome yesterday and it was on point for this style.

 

I went to Eureka Heights a year and a half ago on a trip to Houston. I don't really remember what Wicket Awesome was like.

Is it more of the caramelly ESB like Fuller's? I assume so because the website seems to show it as a red beer.

 

I haven't reviewed it in all the times I have had it but @champ103 nailed it pretty much here Wicket Awesome

 

As I said it's been a long time since I've been to Eureka Heights. I remember that I liked their beers more than other places I've been to in Houston but it didn't draw me back the next times I went down to Houston.

The big drawback for me with these it that it requires me to drive to and in Houston.

 

Skull Mechanix in South Austin had a British Pale and Bitter. They were fine from what I remember. Brewtorium has had a mild on for a while now. I'd like a bit more yeast expression from it though.

 

They have started canning, not sure if this one will ever make it to cans, they do their cream ale (Buckle Bunny) and ipa (Mini Boss) of which I drink very little of. If I am ever somewhere that their ESB (Wicket Awesome) or their American bastardized Kolsch (Mostly Harmless) is on tap, it is certain I am going to get a pour. These are both fine examples of sub 5% beers with a lot of personality.

 

Well my wife and I went back last weekend.

Shared a flight with the Porter and three IPAs (It's Probably Awesome, To the Clouds, and Dave's not Here)

The IPAs were IPAs. They were alright. My wife liked It's Probably Awesome least because it just had a very simple fruity flavor.

But then I had a pint of their Pub Ale. I enjoyed it a lot more than I remember previously. It had good malt flavor almost toffee like mild sweetness. I got a growler of it and enjoyed it even more a few days later.

I also tried the Pilsner and my wife tried the DIPA.
The Pilsner was really bland and doesn't hold a candle to the great lagers in Austin.

She really liked the DIPA.

I would have no problem going back and drinking a few pints of the pub ale.

 

Zilker's ESB is enjoyable and on shelves now. Spindletap's Honey Hole also hit Austin since the OP and it is worth checking out.