Ivan's ESB - Revolution Brewing Company - Brewpub

emerge077

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

The Harder They Come is an awesome soundtrack by Jimmy Cliff. Just gonna come out and say it... this beer is alright too I guess.

Light reddish amber in the glass, not much foam or retention. Aroma is mildly toasted English malts, flavor is much the same. Some tea leaves and biscuit notes round out the majority of the taste. Smooth and easy drinking, a good introductory beer for those averse to much complexity. Maybe a better cask candidate.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2013 05:43:35 | More by emerge077

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +1.7%

03-10-2013 00:49:53 | More by spycow

jeonseh

Indiana

2.28/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

On-tap at Rev's 3rd Anniversary Party

A - Dark copper with light brown and orange under tones. Small white head sits on top

S - The nose reminds me of Hi-C orange initially with sweet orange and fake sugar. There is a hint of the bitterness I'd expect in an ESB but not much

T - Sweet orange Hi-C and corn syrupy sweetness up front that makes it taste slightly artificial. The artificial sweetness I get up front really carries throughout the beer. There is a slight bitter pine hops near the end. Overall, this beer just doesn't work well together as the flavors don't blend well. It tastes off and slightly artificial

MF - Slightly watery with an astringent finish. Pretty light overall which just adds to the Hi-C reference in my mind

O - By far, this is the worst beer I've had by Rev. It was watery and tasted a lot like orange Hi-C that has been sitting out for a day to allow the ice to melt within it. Additionally the flavors just did not blend well together in my mind.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2013 01:44:07 | More by jeonseh

harrylee773

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -5.5%

02-11-2013 00:21:11 | More by harrylee773

thewimperoo

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +9%

02-03-2013 19:18:05 | More by thewimperoo

homebrew311

Illinois

3.81/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Served at the third year crazy party. Pours a deep clear gold with minimal head and decent lacing. Nose features a nice array of earthy pine hops paired with caramel malts, a touch of heat from the alcohol. Taste has assertive hop profile paired with malty caramel base. Nothing too distinct going on here but tasty in its own right. Mouthfeel is medium with moderate carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2013 00:11:30 | More by homebrew311

coz

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +9%

02-02-2013 23:16:39 | More by coz

MasterSki

Illinois

3.69/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Kedzie Taproom. Served in a 5oz taster glass.

A - Filled to the brim, so it's hard to speak for head volume. Thin white collar, wispy cap, minimal lacing. Transparent amber body. Looks about right for an 'Imperial' ESB.

S - The aroma is understated, although to be fair it's quite cold right now in Chicago and I imagine Revolution didn't anticipate needing to heat their beer to appropriate levels. Fruity and English, with treacle, toffee, bread, and a nebulous citrus fruitiness.

T - Again, the taste is very much what you expect from an ESB. Lightly sweet malts, sharp toffee, bread, red fruits, hint of Twizzlers, and somewhat unexpected bitterness in the finish. There's a lingering citrus and caramel aftertaste that I did enjoy. Odd disconnect between flavor and aroma although both seem appropriately English.

M - Smooth, medium-full body, pleasant lower carbonation, slightly sticky finish, and no discernible alcohol.

D - Decent and style-appropriate, but not something I urgently need to revisit. A taster was plenty as I think I'd struggle a larger serving of this one. I've liked some of Revolution's English beers but this one was a miss for me.

Serving type: on-tap

02-01-2013 18:50:44 | More by MasterSki

Buttermilk

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -5.5%

01-19-2013 20:20:42 | More by Buttermilk