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

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BA SCORE
85
good
-
495 Ratings

rAvg: 3.77
pDev: 13.79%
Reviews: 314
Hads: 181

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Brewed by:
Grand Teton Brewing Co.

Idaho, United States

Style | ABV
Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB) | 6.00% ABV

Availability: Year-round. bottle (295), on-tap (17), growler (1), cask (1).

Notes:
Bitch Creek perfectly balances big malt sweetness and robust hop flavor for a full bodied, satisfying mahogany ale. Like the stream for which it is named, our Bitch Creek ESB is full of character... not for the timid.

54 IBU

View: Beers (27) | Reviews (3) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by Philousa:

Philousa

California

3.73/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark brown wit a creamy one finger head. Sweet dark, nutty, caramel flavors start the nose followed by bitter, earthy hops. I get some brown sugar in the sweetness up front followed by some nutty flavors and then comes the hoppy after taste. This is on the heavy side and feels a bit syrupy, but the carbonation lightens it up a bit.

I have a hard time liking some browns, but this is a good example of an American Brown Ale. I go for the nutty English browns usually, because the hops that brewers choose for American browns just don't go together; but Grand Teton Brewing pulled it off. For some reason this reminds me of a DFH ale. Very hoppy and experimental without being an IPA. I'm going to have to remember to get a sixer of this when I want to mix it up in the winter when the malts are king.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 03:54:53 | More by Philousa

More User Reviews:

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