S.O.B. (Special Old Bitter Ale)
Atlantic Brewing Company - Town Hill / Mainely Meat BBQ

S.O.B. (Special Old Bitter Ale)S.O.B. (Special Old Bitter Ale)
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From:
Atlantic Brewing Company - Town Hill / Mainely Meat BBQ
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.62 | pDev: 13.81%
Reviews:
69
Ratings:
95
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 11, 2017
Added:
Nov 17, 2001
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  3
This strongly hopped, crisp ale, is the clear choice for the hop enthusiast.

We use pale, crystal, black and Munich malts, and a veritable boatload of Northdown bittering hops for this ale.

Like the Island Ginger, it is quite popular in the warm weather, as hops yield a clean, crisp bitter that is rather refreshing.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.75/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The appearance had a hazy dark brown body with a foamy tan half finger white head that lasts for about a good minute. The body is too hazy for any carbonation to be seen rising and there is minimal lacing. The smell had bitter hops up front with a light bit of malts with an even lighter sense of molasses. The taste was a slight malty sweetness combined nicely with the bitter hops. A slight breadiness comes through as well. On the palate, it sat at/about a medium on the body. The carbonation is felt and seems to absorb some of the creaminess coming through, dry aftertaste and finish. Overall, I do like this. I like how a lot more hops come than most ESB’s I’ve had, and the malts are not necessarily subdued but has a certain strength in it. I would definitely get it again.
Jun 11, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 3.42 by doremite from Vermont

Jun 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by jrob21 from North Carolina

Feb 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jan 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by jebrew from Maine

Oct 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by fossage78 from Massachusetts

Oct 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Mini4x from Massachusetts

Aug 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by wrightst from Maryland

Jun 06, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Latarnik from New Jersey

May 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaemeno3 from New Jersey

Dec 24, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by sgregory from Connecticut

Nov 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by williamjbauer from Colorado

Feb 16, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by wesley14 from Massachusetts

Oct 29, 2012
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

3.11/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
a: This was a bright, clear golden copper color. It poured with a thick sticky head.

s: Fruity pot pourri tea and biscuits.

t: Crackers and tea up front with a lots of bitterness at the end. A little lingering plastic.

m: Creamy with a nice heft.

o: Thanks E this was pretty good.
Oct 27, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by mendvicdog from Maryland

Sep 07, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by kevgod from Massachusetts

Aug 19, 2012
Photo of Durge
Reviewed by Durge from Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
(I should first note that the bottle I sampled here had been cellared for well over a year) This bitter pours a rosy copper color into the pint glass and produces a healthy egg shell colored head that deflates to a stubborn sheet and creates a creative web of lacing. The aroma is a pleasant caramel malt and brown bread grain laced nicely with lemony hop bitterness. This promises to be a well grounded but reasonably hoppy brew. The first swallow is indeed tasty with a definite crisp citrus hop presence but a clear grain back bone. This suggests rhubarb and rye toast along with some lingering caramel sweetness. I'm pleasantly surprised by this one. Not really an American IPA yet something a bit beyond the usual hoppiness of an English bitter. It's perhaps a tad watery and I do get some metallic or musty notes that bring it down a notch here and there, but the nice hop attitude shores up the feel somehow, enough to make this a drinkable and likeable refreshment with a busy carbonation built on very tiny bubbles that attack the tongue and lively things up. I'm not sure what attracts me here. It does not strike me to be a beer I would typically search out for a follow up, but I have to say it is a relaxing, pleasant brew. A little different I think. Recommended for a try.
Jul 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by ububru from Pennsylvania

Jul 23, 2012
Photo of BeerKangaroo
Reviewed by BeerKangaroo from Alaska

4.15/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Into a pint glass:

A: hazy dark brown body with a foamy tan half finger white head that lasts for about a good minute. The body is too hazy for any carbonation to be seen rising and there is minimal lacing.

S: hops up front with a light bit of malts with an even lighter sense of molasses.

T: slight malty sweetness combined nicely with the bitter hops. A slight breadiness comes through as well

M: medium, carbonation is felt and seems to absorb some of the creaminess coming through, dry aftertaste and finish

O: I do like this. I like how a lot more hops come than most ESB's I've had, and the malts are not necessarily subdued but has a certain strength in it. I would definitely get it again.
Jul 23, 2012
S.O.B. (Special Old Bitter Ale) from Atlantic Brewing Company - Town Hill / Mainely Meat BBQ
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 95 ratings