Extra Special Bitter (ESB) is a
sort of big brother to pale ale. It will be maltier and hoppier, and have a
slightly higher alcohol content. This is a great sipping beer, sort of a halfway
point between pale ale (often called bitter on tap in England) and India Pale
Ale.
The Full Sail brewery in Hood River, Oregon produces several bigger, bolder beer
styles (their phone number is 1-888-BIG BEER), and this ESB fits nicely into
their product line. It's a spring seasonal, released from March to May. The
brewery itself is a remarkable success story, having changed hands several times
and now being owned by it's employees. The brewery produces about 70,000 barrels
per year.
The beer itself is cloudy amber in color with light head formation and a rich,
fruity nose. The palate is just as an ESB should be, a rich malty mouthfeel is
provided by the crystal malts and slowly yields to a fruity, increasingly bitter
hop finish that lingers on your tongue for some time. This beer is quite a bit
hoppier than most of the English import ESB's I've tried, but English hops are
used: imported Targets and East Kent Goldings. Alcohol weighs in at about 5.5%
by volume. This particular ESB probably leans a little more towards the IPA side
of the dial, but then Pacific Northwest beers are known for their hoppiness.
My fondness for hoppy beers paired with spicy foods would lean me in the
direction of a curry with this beer, or perhaps Mexican or Szechuan. I'm quite
happy sipping it all by itself as well.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For
reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.