Notes on beers brewed by
Every time I see an American brewed beer with the ESB moniker, my heart sinks. On nearly every occasion that I recall, the resultant beer has been dreadfully disappointing, mainly because it has been so far away from the genuine article it often hurt my very soul to see/taste it. The usual issue is a hop profile that is way too high, and the added threat of a west coast brewery in this case doesn't exactly make me optimistic! We'll see. Somewhat confusingly this is called, 'Extra Special...
12 oz bottle, Hop City, Atlanta, GA, USA. $2.49 for the single. Pour is a rich garnet body which looks good, but the head and lace are just woefully disappointing considering the style. I want a rich, dense head and (at least in part) because of the ABV and the way the alcohol is constructed in this beer I am disappointed. Lower the ABV and get a better beer is what I say. Anyway, nose has alcohol and quite a bit of sherry amongst the malt base. As expected and nice. Tastes reflect the nose...
$3.99 (I think) from Hop City, Atlanta, GA, USA. 22oz bottle. Bought this specifically to quench a thirst at the beginning of an Atlanta summer. Pour is bright with a touch of haze and exhibits a definite, dark golden color. It looks substantial unlike some others in the style. Nose has a touch of sweetness and some caramel malt presence. There is a crisp, hoppy bite and some good, sweet malts to compliment it. Tasty, simple and quenching, I like this a lot. Not especially complex, but at the...