Bitch Creek ESB (Extra Special Brown) - Grand Teton Brewing Co.

FernMaster

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass.

Brown ales are never very pretty looking beers. Maybe it's because life was already against them from the start because of their name; brown ale does not hold the promise that you're getting a pretty looking beer. They should be called something more promising, like "sunset ale," because everyone likes sunsets and instead of saying, "hey, there's a lot of nasty bits of yeast floating around," they'd be like, "oh it's kind of complex, there's lots of layers and overall I feel happy." [unless they're driving west]

With that tirade aside, it's not the most attractive beer. Bitch Creek (awesome name) has only a fingers worth of head that resides quickly and there's a lot of "floaters" in this beer. There's a lot of carbonation to so it looks like D'Angelo neglected Wee-Bey's fish tanks.

The smell is really good though. Wow, I hate that sentence so much I decided to keep it. Its kind of faint so you have to work at it but there's some nice roasted quality to it, the malts and a little bit of hops have a sort of toffee, chocolate scent that's quite becoming. If only the smell was more prominent I would have been happier.

I really like the taste, it's a weird concoction of all that was present in the smell with oranges. If I saw an orange in this beer like a blue moon, however, I would have to fight whoever severed me despite their intentions. There's this earthy and sweet flavor, actually there's no presence of the toffee. There's this hoppy citrus aspect and some sort of chocolate taste too. The flavor is like the scent, nice but you have to fight for it.

Despite the disgusting floaters the beer has a very good mouthfeel, it's a little weak though kind of watery. I'm just glad I'm not choking down bits of yeast. The wateriness does leave a little to be desired.

This beer is easily drinkable, it's affordable and comes in six packs, which is nice. I always thought it only came in bombers until I saw this single at my not-so-local liquor store. I paid $1.60 for the beer so that's not that bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2010 03:10:01 | More by FernMaster

atone315

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

05-17-2013 03:58:18 | More by atone315

sevenshubby

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

05-12-2013 03:00:42 | More by sevenshubby

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.18/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle purchased from Berkeley Bowl West in Berkeley, CA.

Pours a very pleasant ruby-tinged amber-brown colour, with a rather bright yellow crest of foam. This settles down to a loose ring. Body has a pleasant heft to it, and holds its fine carbonation very well. Overall, it's a really good-looking beer. I like it.

Nose is a pleasant melange of toasty, sweet rich malts and bright, fresh hop characters. There's orange citrus and some blossom tones, with a richness like treacle and cinnamon. They work in concert almost perfectly, providing a balanced and complex combination. It's really quite lovely.

Taste takes a step back from this, but still maintains a very pleasant balance: the malt is less prominent here, and it's less rich and full than I thought it might be. Instead, the hops are thrust forward, giving a rounded, supple fruitiness and a pronounced, but not sharp bitterness. Still, it is rounded and balanced with some toasty malt characters and a suggestion of vegemite. It is, in fact, very pleasant.

Feel is smooth and supple, providing another layer of balance against the hop character.

Overall, this is a damn fine beer. It's very delicately balanced, while maintaining a very full and forthright flavour profile. What's more, it's remarkably easy to drink, and oddly moreish. I'm a big fan.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 22:52:53 | More by lacqueredmouse

cadaugherty

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.1%

05-08-2013 00:17:13 | More by cadaugherty

elglueckert

Montana

4/5  rDev +6.1%

05-05-2013 00:08:58 | More by elglueckert

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

05-04-2013 23:20:05 | More by Kelp

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bitch Creek pours a dark reddish color, with a nice long lasting head. Their is a malty aroma, with hints of a harsh sweetness. The taste has a malty flavor, and a bit harsh, with a slightly hoppiness that comes through at the end. Full flavor, but a strange harsh sweetness to it. Overall not a bad beer, worth another go.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2013 23:18:50 | More by vette2006c5r

bigbeers84

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

04-29-2013 00:48:27 | More by bigbeers84

LuceScrew

Idaho

5/5  rDev +32.6%

04-27-2013 22:24:01 | More by LuceScrew

gir02021

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

04-16-2013 00:38:37 | More by gir02021

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

04-15-2013 17:45:38 | More by Whiskeydeez

zonker17

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

04-15-2013 03:15:15 | More by zonker17

Juno_Malone

Idaho

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

04-15-2013 01:08:16 | More by Juno_Malone

Sark

Montana

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- hazy red brown, no head, even with vigorous pour

Smell- carmel and light chocolate notes, minimal hop characteristics

Taste- light toffee and chocolate, malts impart a little sweetness, bitterness comes on the mid tongue from the hops

Mouthfeel- medium bodied, crisp bitterness finish

Overall- Interesting take on an ESB with a nod to a brown

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 23:04:41 | More by Sark

handlerb

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a beautiful deep ruby color; blood red when held up to the light. Dark for an ESB, light for a brown.

S - notes of caramel/toffee highlighted with some biscuity tones. Minimal noble hop presence.

T - the smell didn't lie: a strong malt presence with highlights of dark caramel and crystal malts, maybe even a hint of dried fruit. Finishes with a bittering that lingers just long enough for me to want the next sip.

M - Solid, a bit on the dry side, but as expected with this nod the the ESB style

O - Good beer, interesting take on the style. I'll have no problem finishing the 6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 23:30:22 | More by handlerb

drunkciclista

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

04-01-2013 04:59:54 | More by drunkciclista

artoolemomo

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

04-01-2013 03:09:26 | More by artoolemomo

dante23x

New York

3/5  rDev -20.4%

03-31-2013 04:14:00 | More by dante23x

Rwainman

South Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%

03-30-2013 23:08:10 | More by Rwainman

JVoyager

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%

03-27-2013 02:10:27 | More by JVoyager

krh

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.1%

03-16-2013 01:20:34 | More by krh

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.1%

03-10-2013 20:11:21 | More by spycow

Salix

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +6.1%

03-06-2013 02:09:32 | More by Salix

Butchnasty

Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev +19.4%

03-05-2013 07:41:14 | More by Butchnasty