#46a. Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB): ESBs are essentially more aggressive and more balanced Bitters, both in alcohol and hop character, but nothing overpowering. Color range will be similar, though leaning towards the darker end of the scale; dark golds to copper. Low carbonation. Malts tend to be more pronounced, often toasty and fruity, with maybe some notes diacetyl. And despite “bitter” being in its name, ESBs are not really all that bitter. They key to an ESB is balance.
Entry: Wells & Young’s Wells Bombadardier (5.2%ABV, England)
Finally! An English beer that is just a muddy malt party. Granted, this thing is still an “experience of England in a glass,” as the label promises, but it actually has some spice to it. There’s obvious a strong toffee malt presence, but peaking out the top of that are these little spikes of floral spice that make the flavor much more interesting and diverse than so many of its Brit cousins. It also doesn’t feel super heavy or too thin. A perfect, medium consistency. This still isn’t the first thing I’m gonna go to at a bar, but if I ever go back to London, I’ll pass the flat Fullers and get a pint of this, instead.
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tylertour liked this
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gastrocinema said:
This is one of my faves! Problem is in the US, every goddam retailer ONLY sells the banana version of this. And that is quite shitty.
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imalreadyoverthis posted this
