Extra Special Bitters.

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by TEKNISHE, Mar 17, 2015.

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  1. gopens44

    gopens44 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,560) Aug 9, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I enjoyed the hell out of Redhook ESB back in the '90's but it isn't anywhere near the same beer today as it once was. Either that or my palate changed. The only one I go out of my way for now is Harvest Ale from Southern Tier.
     
    #41 gopens44, Mar 17, 2015
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  2. Arch578

    Arch578 Initiate (0) Jul 30, 2014 Ohio

    Yes! I've always loved ESBs. It probably started because I spent my first several drinking-aged months in England, where just about every beer I had fell somewhere on the Ordinary Bitter - Extra Special Bitter spectrum. I really do wish more American breweries would produce the style, but a few are doing it really well. Breckenridge did a limited release of one a year or two ago, and it was the best beer I've had from them. Also, I finally tried Lefthand's Sawtooth Nitro last night, and I think I've finally discovered a go-to beer.
     
    #42 Arch578, Mar 17, 2015
  3. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    The Redhook ESB has become difficult to find in my area, but I saw some a couple weeks ago and had to try it for old-time's sake. I enjoyed it pretty well and made a mental note to remember it when I'm looking for something malty, but not overly so.
     
    #43 steveh, Mar 17, 2015
  4. stingley

    stingley Crusader (467) Sep 21, 2013 Pennsylvania

    #44 stingley, Mar 17, 2015
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  5. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    It would be a Premium bitter here.Up to 4% it would be session bitter, from then up to say 4.8% would be premium and above that would be strong bitter. Brearing in mind that these are drinking beers not for sipping.5% is strong if you drink pint after pint all night.
    One thing , "Best Bitter" is meaningless. It's just advertising waffle like "prime beef" , for example Hook Norton Best Bitter is just 3.4% ABV ; http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3052/7263/
     
    #45 marquis, Mar 17, 2015
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  6. twb0392

    twb0392 Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    Schafly Pale ale is an english style pale at around 4.4%; not an esb but similar in style and taste, and I think it packs a lot for the low abv.
     
    #46 twb0392, Mar 17, 2015
  7. keithmurray

    keithmurray Pooh-Bah (2,967) Oct 7, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    Can anyone recommend a readily available example of the style beyond Fuller's ESB (love this) or GI Honkers Ale (Not a fan of this one)?
     
    #47 keithmurray, Mar 17, 2015
  8. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Understood, but I was going by the brewery's "advertising waffle." :wink:

    Nonetheless, Honker's profile isn't near that of an ESB.
     
    #48 steveh, Mar 17, 2015
  9. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Wells Bombardier.
     
    #49 steveh, Mar 17, 2015
  10. TEKNISHE

    TEKNISHE Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Agree. Not sure if it's me or the beer but it's not quite as good last time i tried it, but still not bad. I used to love having it on draft with King crab legs at this spot in Virginia that we'd always go to back when it still tasted awesome.

    I recall enjoying that ST Harvest, but I didn't know it was an ESB at the time I consumed it. I think i thought it was a pale ale. Good beer though.
     
    #50 TEKNISHE, Mar 17, 2015
  11. TEKNISHE

    TEKNISHE Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2011 Pennsylvania

    This looks really good right about now. Based on your comments and those of others, it would seem Fuller's is the epitome of the style. I have not had Fuller's ESB before.
     
    #51 TEKNISHE, Mar 17, 2015
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  12. TEKNISHE

    TEKNISHE Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2011 Pennsylvania

    I'm pretty close and I go into the city fairly often on weekends. I haven't had scarlet lady since college. I'll have to revisit. Don't think I've had ESA, but have had their Brawler (which i thought was more of a mild than a bitter - I perceived almost no hopping).

    I'll have to give some of these other ones a try. It seems like I've been sampling the more hoppy/diet IPA type ones moreso than the traditional English versions. I thought I've beat up all the styles I enjoy, but lo, it seems I have found a new path forward.
     
    #52 TEKNISHE, Mar 17, 2015
  13. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    "Best Bitter" is usually the weakest and cheapest beer in the range :slight_smile:

    That's around 4.3% ABV here.
     
    #53 marquis, Mar 17, 2015
  14. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    On draught, no?
     
    #54 steveh, Mar 17, 2015
  15. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Good suggestions already.

    I really like Adnams Broadside as well.
     
    #55 Smakawhat, Mar 17, 2015
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  16. TEKNISHE

    TEKNISHE Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Thanks for all of the replies folks. I'll keep my eyes open for some of these local recommendations. I picked up a few more from Wegman's at lunch today, and am looking forward to sampling them.
     
    #56 TEKNISHE, Mar 17, 2015
  17. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Yes. It's stronger in bottles/cans.

    That's 6.4% in bottle but 4.7% on draught. One of my favourites too.Saw it on handpump in quite a few pubs last week whan I was in Adnams country.
     
    #57 marquis, Mar 17, 2015
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  18. aratcliffe

    aratcliffe Initiate (0) Jan 6, 2015 Kansas

    Why the large discrepancy?
     
    #58 aratcliffe, Mar 17, 2015
  19. 31Sam13

    31Sam13 Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2014 New Hampshire

    I really like the Red Hook one...hey, it's not bad...
     
    #59 31Sam13, Mar 17, 2015
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  20. MikeP64

    MikeP64 Zealot (661) Jan 24, 2015 South Carolina

    Love my Redhook ESB even though it's rated low here on BA....RATINGS SCHMATINGS!
     
    #60 MikeP64, Mar 17, 2015
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