Antagonist ESB - Barrier Brewing Company

socon67

New York

3.45/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Light copper color. Foam settles quickly. There is some lacing but it is in small rings around the glass.

S - Smells of earthy hops and light grains. A slight acidic scent is noted.

T - Clean flavor of grains and fresh wheat bread. The hoppy flavors is more floral and less on the bitter side. Finish is more like toasted grain.

M - Slightly gritty, and with a bit of an acidic bite at the end. But a relatively smooth and well blanced ESB.

O - Good to see a local brewery make a decent ESB. Maybe not my favorite but I'd try it again.

*Note: Was glad to try a beer from Barrier in Oceanside at an event to raise moeny for Hurricane Sandy relief. I hope the folks from Barrier can continue to make good product and help get the area back on its feet.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2012 18:54:30 | More by socon67

CTJman

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

03-24-2013 14:40:52 | More by CTJman

JxExM

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%

01-21-2013 23:22:34 | More by JxExM

jeanphony

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

08-19-2012 16:06:34 | More by jeanphony

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 08/13/12 notes. Had on tap at Pony Bar on the EUS in NYC. 14 oz. pour in a pint glass.

a - Pours a somewhat copper amber color with one inch of off white head and low carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bready malts, wheat, grains, earthy notes, and a touch of floral hops. Not bad but not super strong.

t - Tastes of bready malts, grains, wheat, fruity malts, some citrus hops, earthy notes, and floral hops. Much better than the nose; the extra hops and fruit make it very nice.

m - Medium body and moderate to low carbonation. Body is very smooth and easy to drink.

o - Overall a very nice local ESB. The nose is a little weak, though not bad, but the taste is great, full of floral/citrus hops and some fruit. Easy to drink and could definitely have a few of it, would definitely have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 14:41:37 | More by mdfb79

jurbanik

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%

07-31-2012 08:22:57 | More by jurbanik

metter98

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cask at d.b.a., Brooklyn, NY

A: The beer is slightly hazy yellowish orange in color and has a slight amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin white head that faded away and left lacing on the surface.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of bready malts and floral hops in the nose.
T: A moderate amount of bitterness is present in the taste from start to finish. There are flavors of biscuit and bready malts.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and smooth on the palate with a light amount of carbonation.
O: The beer isn’t that difficult to drink if you can handle the bitterness.

Serving type: cask

04-27-2011 01:27:51 | More by metter98

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.4/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Barrier Antagonist on tap at The Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen, NYC.

Appearance: Served in a pint filled to the brim, it comes with little, almost no head. A pale thin mantle on top, some foam on the side. Good lacing, low carbonation. Color is nut/caramel.

Smell: Some hops. Nuttiness all over. Thin. Aromas of fermented strawberries and overtones of dirty refrigerator and unkempt toilet (not necessarily bad, though)

Taste: More nuttiness, some bread and old hops at the end.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation, low body, medium flavor. Dry, mildly hoppy finish.

Overall: A better ESB for sure. More flavorful than most in his category. Supremely drinkable, good ABV (both in flavor and "chuggability"). Nothing earth-shattering here, but pleasant and well done.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2011 02:35:38 | More by DoubleSimcoe

plaid75

New York

4.3/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep amber hue with a one finger frothy white head. There was very good retention and lacing.

The smell featured an earthy doughy malt with a full caramel and vibrant grassy hop.

The taste consisted of moderately grainy malt, breadiness and a full on herbal hop. Strong residual hop spice.

The mouthfeel was toward the fuller side of the style.

Overall an excellent ESB.

Serving type: growler

11-10-2010 04:00:43 | More by plaid75