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

spoony

Colorado

3.7/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

From a 12 oz bottle (brewed on January 16, 2013) into a globe glass.

A-A normal pour produces less than one finger of light, mocha-colored foam. A thick cap of foam persists and leaves some lacing on the glass. The brew is quite dark, nearly opaque, with a reddish tint.

S-The smell is relatively rich and malty with some caramel notes and hint of brown sugar. A couple of deep whiffs unveils a light, peppery bitterness from the hops. A pleasing and powerful smell.

T-The taste is not as concentrated as the smell and trends more to the hoppy end of the flavor spectrum. There is still the caramel and light roastiness in the malt flavor, but the sharp, slightly herbal hop notes move towards the front.

M-The feel is mild creaminess with low carbonation and medium weight. The brew gets slightly slick feeling after the foam cap has disappeared.

O-This was a drinkable and slightly different take on the brown style with decent flavor and a concentrated smell. I would have preferred more malt in the flavor profile, but nothing here was completely out of place. It paired nicely with the chili I was eating.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 02:35:09 | More by spoony

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