Redhook ESB - Redhook Ale Brewery

jermar

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I think this one gets a bad rap from the A-B connection. When consumed at a decent ale serving temperature, it is a very well-balanced, rich tasting brew. While it may be lacking in complexity or any particular signature, it is very drinkable, highly available, and sports a 'bottled on' date so you can be sure of the product's freshness.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2002 16:11:40 | More by jermar

anteater

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

05-20-2013 04:58:01 | More by anteater

Stonehill64

4.25/5  rDev +24.6%

05-19-2013 12:44:08 | More by Stonehill64

Buster

Oklahoma

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

05-19-2013 02:20:37 | More by Buster

ChefBenhase

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +10%

05-18-2013 18:14:01 | More by ChefBenhase

artoolemomo

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

05-18-2013 01:26:35 | More by artoolemomo

pcsnyder

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

05-15-2013 13:15:20 | More by pcsnyder

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +17.3%

05-13-2013 23:06:01 | More by AmandaSchaefer

Jacurdy60

Alabama

3/5  rDev -12%

05-11-2013 23:42:07 | More by Jacurdy60

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -19.4%

05-09-2013 02:01:36 | More by tommyguz

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

3.69/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a shaker pint glass.

The beer is a light amber color. A foamy white head recedes to a wisp with light white rings of lacing on the glass. The aroma is subdued, but toasty grains and a faint tea-like hop presence emerge. The beer tastes of toasted grains, biscuits, and caramel malt sweetness up front. Some floral and citrusy hops bring in balance on the finish. The mouthfeel is medium to light. Overall, this isn't world class, but it's balanced and complex enough to not regret a 6 pack.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 16:23:44 | More by JuicesFlowing

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -12%

05-07-2013 02:47:04 | More by Jason1337

hockeyfighter19

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

05-07-2013 02:12:33 | More by hockeyfighter19

Hoppy_McMalt

Washington

3/5  rDev -12%

05-06-2013 00:55:19 | More by Hoppy_McMalt

IdrinkBeerinCollege

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

05-05-2013 09:12:16 | More by IdrinkBeerinCollege

ZEB89

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

05-04-2013 20:15:09 | More by ZEB89

vdub191

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev +10%

05-03-2013 03:32:55 | More by vdub191

smooth_aleing

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

05-03-2013 03:11:28 | More by smooth_aleing

drinkAK

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -4.7%

05-01-2013 05:01:16 | More by drinkAK

Ryan_Shannon388

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

04-28-2013 21:54:40 | More by Ryan_Shannon388

LSx

California

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

04-27-2013 16:22:15 | More by LSx

meehandennis

Maine

3.5/5  rDev +2.6%

04-26-2013 23:16:30 | More by meehandennis

Arsenal0328

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev +10%

04-24-2013 21:32:48 | More by Arsenal0328

StJamesGate

New York

3.56/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Tawny pale body with creamy white foam that settles to film that laces.
Buttery toffee with tea leaf and some orange rind on the nose.
White fruit scone, a big apricot jam hit and orange and cedar hops.
Spicy finish and drying linger.
Light to medium, slight chew, round.

Biggest surprise about this is it does a fair job of reproducing the taste of Maris Otter. The hops hit is very EKG, too. But in the end it's too thin, veers form too sweet to too spicy as it goes cold to warm (extremes, rather than balance) and just doesn't hit the nuance of an English ale.

I could see where it hung around since the 80s, when there was nothing else like it (fresh, anyway) but this isn't anything more than average - as an amber or a special bitter.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 21:06:33 | More by StJamesGate

jaycle

North Carolina

3.33/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Honey colored with a slight haze. A weak head with little retention and large bubbles.

S:oranges

T: fruit and floral, wheat finish. Very mellow. and Balanced

M: medium carbonation, thin feeling, dry finish

O: Good, but average. This was my first ESB, and from what I read, it is to be expected from this style. I enjoyed it, but there are just so many other good beers.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:12:59 | More by jaycle