ESB
Redhook Brewlab

ESBESB
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From:
Redhook Brewlab
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Ranked #122
ABV:
5.8%
Score:
78
Ranked #26,944
Avg:
3.42 | pDev: 14.33%
Reviews:
882
Ratings:
2,146
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 10, 2023
Added:
Jul 30, 2001
Wants:
  35
Gots:
  290
Brewed in the style of a traditional British ESB (Extra Special Bitter), we’ve been making ESB continuously since 1987, and it’s now the benchmark for the Amber beer category. Despite having “bitter” in its name, Redhook ESB is really not that bitter at all. This brew is all about the balance of caramel malt sweetness completed by spicy, citrusy hops.

28 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.66 by Beergod420 from Michigan

Aug 10, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by jroof1 from Massachusetts

Jul 30, 2023
 
Rated: 3.27 by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois

Jul 03, 2023
Photo of Sigmund
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway

3.08/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Sep. 2014: Sample from bottle at Vecturamesse. Brown colour, Some caramel in aroma and flavour. The flavour is otherwise too bland for an ESB, with too moderate hops. Will re-rate when I get a full bottle.
Dec 02, 2022
 
 
Rated: 3.29 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 26, 2021
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

3.69/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
one of the iconic early craft beers of the region, not sure how i have not reviewed it until now. it always brings me back to when this sort of thing was popular, alaskan amber, fat tire, those were the days. nice clearish amber tone to this one, good head too, thick and just off white with some nice lacing. it smells nutty and european, english and caramelized but not all that sweet, fairly well hopped for what it is too, although not particularly distinct in that regard. the flavor is balanced, i like the yeast element, this is dry and clean but there is some bready yeast character to it making it a little more complex and dynamic than a lot of beers in its field. the hops are bitter without having a ton of flavor, but they start early so its not just a finishing element. nice against the sturdy grain base thats not as rich or big as it smells, notes of toffee and honey but nothing too toasted or anything, this isnt heavy beer despite being malt forward. some appreciable mineral character in here, nice carbonation, and overall i think probably one of the better beers these guys make. legendary for a reason, underrated i reckon, a sturdy slightly americanized take on the style, but i like this beer, its a classic.
Oct 29, 2021
Photo of TheBricenator
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon

3.73/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Look: Clear light amber red with a billowing off-white head that pillows up and slowly recedes, leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Floral hops, freshly baked bread, earthy hop notes, and light wafts of caramel
Taste: Follows nose well but much more pronounced caramel malt and floral hop notes. Earthiness and even some light spicy hops along with rich breadiness hold down the middle and finishes with flowers and caramel-slathered bread
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, medium-high carbonation, very clean, surprisingly smooth throughout, and a light tongue-prickling finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. I hadn’t had one in awhile but this beer helped introduce me to the ESB style many years ago and glad it is still quite enjoyable today. Well balanced hop and malt, along with a great feel come together to make this beer the tasty treat it is. A classic and definitely recommended for anyone interested in trying out a solid example of this highly underrated and criminally underrepresented style
Dec 05, 2020
Photo of dunkel_weizen
Reviewed by dunkel_weizen from Oregon

3.31/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
6 month old bottle, head is white and splotchy with mild retention and about 1 finger thick at pour. Nice straightforward nose, with hints of flowers, minty hops, and some citrus and herbal tones. Pour was light, and consistent strong carbonation throughout with a crisp clear apricot color. The body is seems rather thin to me. Taste has an immediate bitter note that pleasantly rounds out with a nice nutty character, with notable malt and some light hop. The lighter notes noticed on the nose reappear after a notable delay, as a pleasant finish.

Although it has a notable medicinal vibe, it's a good refreshing ESB in a region where they are hard to come by. This seems like a nice spring or fall beer to me, although it could be enjoyed year round.
May 01, 2020
 
Rated: 3.44 by Mickt465 from New Hampshire

Dec 27, 2019
 
Rated: 1.74 by Reen from Washington

Dec 21, 2019
 
Rated: 3.6 by zestd from Idaho

Aug 14, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by bdlusa from Texas

Jun 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kolb from Montana

Apr 29, 2019
 
Rated: 4.71 by nhkrause from New Hampshire

Feb 25, 2019
 
Rated: 4.06 by bittersweetidaho from Idaho

Feb 02, 2019
 
Rated: 3.6 by ProNR from Florida

Dec 28, 2018
 
Rated: 3.43 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts

Dec 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.16 by Rileford from Washington

Aug 22, 2018
 
Rated: 2.68 by rsteeves97 from Washington

Aug 17, 2018
ESB from Redhook Brewlab
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 2146 ratings