A taste of… Redhook ESB

Redhook Brewery
14300 NE 145th St
Woodinville, Washington, 98072
United States
(425) 483-3232

Preface: This 12 oz. bottle of Redhook ESB was purchased for $2.50(USD) at Peas & Pickles Grocery in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY. There was a date code on the label but it couldn’t be read.

The following notes are made after a mouth wash with room temperature sparkling water. These notes have not been influenced by reading promotional material or any other review of this brew.

I am including this preface to inform the reader of any and all circumstances that might be conceived of as creating a biased review or a conflict of interest regarding the choice of words used in the following review. I could go on and on with semi-legal jargon but I guess you will just have to trust me eh?

The following are my tasting notes:

Appearance: A crystal clear dark honey colored brew is carbonated with tiny bubbles that knit a good head of tiny bubbles. It falls quickly but leaves a trace of lace.

Aroma: First impression is of roasted grain. The second visit reveals dark sugar with a hint of citric. The third “noseing” found some green grass aromas.

Flavor: After the initial refreshing chill of the liquid there is a dusty-grain sensation, almost tannic. The second sip showed the hop influence through an almost covert spike that teases and then joins the “drying” influences. A third swig echoes all the previous sensations but finishes with a chalk-like dryness.

Mouth feel: The body is there but the tannic sensation shields its fullness.

Finish: This is the driest ESB I have ever tasted.

Comments: An Extra Special Bitter, as I understand it, should be fairly full bodied, built on a big base of sweet malt and only a slight tang of hops should be there. The finish should be rather lush.

Food & Beer: A hamburger grilled to medium well-done, with a slice of deli-American cheese on a toasted bun would have enough flavor to let this brew refresh rather than get in the way.

The Brewery: http://www.ottercreekbrewing.com/

What others say:

BeerAdvocate: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1330/1119/

RateBeer: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/redhook-esb/662/