Back to Valley River Brewery! This is my third visit now, and as I remarked to my wife I’ve been here more times than many Georgia breweries. Tonight I enjoyed two beers, first a pint of the very well done Murphy Irish Stout, then a half pint of the beer I’m here to tell you about tonight, Green Dragon ESB.
I enjoyed this beer after dinner here, consisting of savory roast half chicken, rich buttery mashed potatoes, local corn, and perfectly seasoned stuffing/dressing all smothered in a thick chicken gravy. Of course, you must know, such a feast could not be enjoyed without an accompanying beer, and a pint of rich and roasty Murphy Irish Stout was just the thing with the meal.
Before heading back to the casino, however, I decided to try the Green Dragon ESB because, quite frankly, it was the only beer left that I had yet to try here. I did return the next day for more stout and growler of Ducktown Porter to go.
Green Dragon ESB is a bit high in alcohol for the style at 5.8% by volume as English examples go, but not by American standards. The bargain basement price of $4.50 a pint (or $2.25 for a half pint) was much appreciated. The beer is named for The Green Dragon Inn from Lord of the Rings as the barkeep advised.
My glass of Green Dragon ESB arrived a beautiful tawny amber color with a firm nutty maltiness in the aroma and the palate, buttery diactyl, and a bitter grassy hop finish. More malt and more hops than a pale ale are what I want in an ESB, and I got those here, along with some nutty notes more common in a mild or brown ale.
I could get used to Sundays like this, with a wonderful dry stout and a Sunday dinner like mom used to make, all capped off with a tasty ESB. Like the beer, the meal was a deal at just $10.99. Valley River Brewery is a real gem, and don’t miss it if you find yourself in Murphy. Half off beers on Sundays for hobbits.
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.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler