Fuller's ESB - Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

T100Mark

California

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a heavy, brown, 11.2 ounce Euro bottle into a shaker pint glass.

Appearance - Copper color. A bit hazy. Tan colored head that never entirely disappears. Minimal lacing.

Smell - Bread. Slightly sweet. Nice.

Taste - Bread crust. Slightly sweet. A hint of citrus. Walnuts? Smooth. Good.

Mouth - Mild carbonation. A touch oily.

Overall - A wonderful beer. Another good reason to be an Anglophile. My only complaint is that the beer is a touch underwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:11:16 | More by T100Mark

LetTheJuiceLoose

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A*: Brilliant copper color offset by a thick and clingy white head. White head thicker than usual, but believed to be due to bottle conditioning vs. beer production. Exceedingly clear.

S*: Overwhelmingly well paired aroma that blends seamlessly into the thick caramel backbone. Subtle bready notes toward end. No yeast character detected.

T*: Excellent floral flavor with hints of toast and caramel. Hop dominates in flavor, subtle in bitterness. Follow-thru remains balanced and slightly sweet to the end. No yeast fruitiness detected.

M*: Medium-light body with a moderate-low carbonation. No astringency. Slight, very slight alcohol warming.

Overall: Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 03:26:39 | More by LetTheJuiceLoose

endovelico

Portugal

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured cold. Off a can. Taken from notes.

Appearance: Full nitrogenic like creme head on a clear garnet juice with little perceived effervescence. The beer is visually stunning; I had to wait a few minutes for it to settle.

Aroma: The aromatics are of medium intensity. On the front theres a sharp metallic / irony smell - A byproduct of the revered but vulnerable British yeast, perhaps? - set on a canvas of stale vegetable and caramel.

As it warms up, however, the smell ends up acquiring a broader stand in the caramel - nut spectrum of aroma. The aromatics are more representative of what you'd expect from a traditional EKG/Fuggles blend.

Taste: In equilibrium honey-vegetable play with flowery undertones. Absolutely seamless with the palate to the point that it becomes difficult to discern the impact of both on the tongue.

Palate: Medium to medium full bodied. Minerally, slightly spritzy with sweet-ish finish. Slightly soapy, slightly creamy. Alcohol barely noticeable.

Overall: Extremely sessionable, highly balanced and complex. This is one beer you can really feel the "terroir": The finicky British yeast, the soft water, the traditional hops aswell as the contribution of the different caramel malts and maize used.

It's traditional with a twist. It's both unique and THE archetype of ESBs. At any rate, pay particular attention to the serving temperature as this beer really opens up at slightly cold - ambient temperatures.

Serving type: can

05-05-2013 14:13:27 | More by endovelico

PieOhMy

Minnesota

4.11/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A Hazy gold near amber. Thick white creamy head leaves little lacing.

S Sweet and malty. A nice floral fragrance follows.

T Tangy and fruity, mango and other citrus fruit. Get a bitter hop taste. Peppery aftertaste.

M Light. Mild carbonation and a clean finish.

O Decent balance. I like the bitterness. The sweetness hides but it's there. Smooth as hell. This is a good brew. I would order it again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2013 02:13:59 | More by PieOhMy

EthenWithAnE

California

4.19/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Aroma - Wonderfully complex. Moderately high caramel malt sweetness, slightly biscuity; medium low resiny hop aroma; moderate sweet fruity esters; No DMS or diacetyl detected, no alcohol in the aroma.

Appearance - Dark amber in hue. Clear, not bright nor hazy. Medium sized off white head dissipates quickly.

Flavor - Mirrors complexity of aroma - medium high caramel sweetness, notes of toast. Malt is balanced well with medium hop bitterness and medium earthy, slightly floral hop flavor. Mild fruity esters, a touch of black pepper and the beer finishes dry/slightly bitter. Very slight smooth alcohol flavor as it warms.

Mouthfeel - Medium body with low carbonation, ok for style. Very smooth. Not astringent. No alcohol warmth detected.

Overall - A very drinkable English pale (very specific to the style). The malt favored balanced made this beer sweet and delicious. Perhaps a slight addition to the flavoring and aroma hops to showcase the very English characteristics of earth and resin, but definitely is still within style parameters. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 04:55:44 | More by EthenWithAnE

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

4.7/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

11.2 oz bottle into a .3l mug

A: Beautiful tawny amber to crimson. Pours to a small head that recedes quickly. There is very little lacing but there is very mild continuous activity and visible bubbles on the bottom of the glass

S: Huge caramel and toffee nose. Buttery and sweet. Smells like fresh sweet rolls right out of the oven

T: Sweet malts and really nice hop bight to give it the "bitter" end. Sublimely balanced and delicate. The grain bill is phenomenal.

M: There is just enough carbonation to keep the palate clean but still being able to detect all of the delicate flavors from the malt.

O: One of my favorites and something I can drink anytime, anywhere, and anyplace

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:26:36 | More by DrewSnyc667

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

500 ml bottle into pint glass, best before 5/5/2013. Pours fairly crystal clear orange amber color with a 1 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of raisin, apple, caramel, biscuit, toffee, brown sugar, light nuttiness, and light floral hops. Damn nice aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and fruity ester notes; with solid strength. Taste of golden raisin, caramel, biscuit, toffee, apple, brown sugar, light nuttiness, and floral hops. Lingering notes of caramel, biscuit, light fruit, toffee, brown sugar, and light floral on the the finish for a short bit. Very nice balance and complexity of malt flavors with moderate fruitiness; good robustness and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Light carbonation and medium bodied; with a smooth and moderately creamy mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming present after the finish. Overall this is an excellent ESB. Very nice balance, robustness, and complexity of malt flavors; and extremely smooth to drink. A very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 05:13:12 | More by superspak

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.16/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into an Irish pint glass.

Look: Medium copper color. Cream colored head that calms to a film, light spotty lacing.

Aroma: Sweet caramel, malts, faint musty hops.

Taste: Starts with a sweet caramel, then a tangy fruit note, finishes with tea-like earthy tang.

Mouthfeel: Medium body.

Overall: Very well balanced, and delicious. Tons of sweet caramel.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 21:07:55 | More by JuicesFlowing

Bookseeb

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance has a golden amber color supporting a thin but not totally dissipating head leaving spotty lace. Smell and taste of the soft malt serving the toffee and caramel notes, hops with an English yeast in the background. Mouthfeel is medium light with mild carbonation. Overall a very nice nicely balance ESB.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:07:00 | More by Bookseeb

cyclonece09

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a redish amber color with a fluffy white head. Smells syrupy but some floral and earthy hop notes. Tastes of earthy hops and deep roasted malt profile, nice balance. Beer has a bit of a syrupy feel with good carbonation with not much of the the "import bite" for its medium body. Overall, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 03:20:02 | More by cyclonece09

WissBrauSean

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The beer itself pours a beautifully clear and deep amber with a thin tan head that almost completely dissipates but lasts as half a ring around the glass and leaves very little lacing to mention.

The aroma of this beer is really nice and fits the description of the beer perfectly. It comes off as caramel malty with fruity esters of apple, cherry, and grapes and a very slight butterscotch there are some earthy notes as well, but I am not sure if that is yeast or hops, but it's barely imperceptible to me either way. If I hadn't read about it some I would not have known what to call it because it is so faint.

The taste is mostly that of caramel malts with maybe some molasses but it starts off as mildly tart, moves to the caramel and molasses with very light butterscotch and then as it reaches the back of the tongue and afterward it is mildly bitter. It's so incredibly balanced and not overly sweet in the least as you might perceive from the aroma.

The mouthfeel is different it tastes sweet but is actually slightly dry and the body is midrange with a light to medium carbonation. Many people review this as under carbonated and I suppose it is, but if it were higher, I think the balance would be off and the slight bitter finish might be over the top. Finish is definitely on the dry side.

Overall, I have to say that this is a top notch ESB. I do need to drink more as I have only had a handful of others and this is probably the best that I have had save for some local boys Yards that make a mighty mighty fine offering and I can't wait to try theirs! This beer is world class for sure and it will garner a solid 4.25 or better from me! It is so easily drinkable and the only thing that lets me down in the least is that I don't taste cherries like in the aroma. Big whoop!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 02:50:25 | More by WissBrauSean

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.94/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A: Pours a clear copper color. The head is a one finger offwhite shade. It slowly fades to a thin film, and leaves some (not much) lacing on the glass. Generally, an attractive beer.

S: At first, I notice rich caramel, brown sugar, and earthy hops. Then the aroma permutes into something wonderfully fruity. I really enjoy the cherry, apple, and grape esters this provides. I mean, really, REALLY enjoy them, even if they don't come across terribly strongly.

T: Taste-wise, I'm not a fan of the style; but this one works quite well. Vaguely sweet caramel maltiness provides the backbone, supported by an initial hit of tart, fruity esters. Drying hops and faint diacetyl finish this one off. If anything, it's gorgeously balanced, with just a suggestion of depth to keep it interesting. Didn't live up to the aroma, however.

M: Dry and crisp, though some toffee flavors linger on the palate somewhat. Carbonation could be upped a hair to make it cleaner, though - given the way the complex flavors shift on the aftertaste, I'll call it a wash. This one is easy to drink.

O: I'd say it's the best ESB I've ever had, even with the qualifiers of A) the style doesn't tickle my fancy, and B) I haven't had enough good offerings of the style for it to tickle my fancy in the first place. Out of personal preference, I'd much rather have their London Porter; but just in terms of objective quality, they're at the same level.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 22:20:41 | More by ThisWangsChung

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

4.45/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer looks amber, with a slightly tanned head. The aroma is estery and hoppy, working very well together. The slim, silky body, relatively well-carbonated (for the style), has hops suitably balanced with the other features of this beer. The aftertaste is neither strong, nor subtle, but is definitely long and showing a hoppy tone. What an excellent session beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 01:32:10 | More by HabiMendes

PhoenixShredds

California

4.29/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured into Guinness Pub Pint

A: Pours a translucent light-copper w/ 1/2 finger white to off-white head that dissipates fast. I didn't experience much lacing at all. The bubbles are vivid in the body of the beer.
S: Soft and fruity with subtle toffee scents underneath.
T: Sweet, caramel flavors jumps out to start with a touch of a sweet buttery taste (but in a good way, think butterscotch), followed by fairly mild bitterness for a bitter. Very candy-like.
M: Medium-light body of a silky character. Creamy-smooth but not heavy or robust. Carbonation mediumish.
O: A vibrant and smooth bitter that starts malty-sweet like caramel-candy and finishes with just enough bitter to remind you of the namesake, but for me the sweet remained throughout and made me want another swish. An interesting note is this beer smelled more hoppy (fruity scents) to me than it drinks (malty-sweet). Pleasant beverage, indeed.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 02:41:42 | More by PhoenixShredds

rickyleepotts

Arizona

3.55/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

Here is another beer from Fuller's. As soon as I grabbed this bottle from the fridge, I was back in the taxi riding to the hotel… and there it is. The brewery! They mention, in the What They Said, about the street being busy. Yep. It was busy. Weird seeing a brewery there, but it was cool to see it as we drove by. Next time we are in London we will have to tour the brewery and see what their tasting room is like.

I am not typically a big fan of this style, but was excited to read "fudge" in the tasting notes. Maybe this one will do the style justice. It has won some awards, so it can't be that bad!

In the Glass: It is quite impressive in the glass, and has a certain thickness to it. The lace is decent, but falls off the glass fast. Loads of bubbles rush to the top as I swirl this around in the glass. Like I said, I am not usually a fan of this style. Let's hope I change my mind here!

Nose: There is a lot of malt up front, but then you finish with a balanced aroma that reminds me of a pale ale. Imagine a barrel of hops and then a gallon malt poured on top. That is what I am smelling. It is very balanced, and has me begging to drink. Let's see what she tastes like.

Flavor: That is NOT what I remember about an ESB. I asked someone on Google+ what ESB stands for. He said, "equals seven beers". I like that! But the flavor is nice, and the beer is surprisingly easy to drink. It's not thick, like I mentioned. But it does have a nice mouthfeel. Speaking of the mouthfeel…

Mouthfeel: It's creamy. Not thick, but creamy. There isn't much flavor as it slides across your tongue, but you it feels like a pillow is dancing across your palate. Speaking of the flavor, it starts hoppy then really balances out as you swallow. I am quite impressed with the overall experience here.

Aftertaste: There isn't much of an aftertaste. I am sure this beer would taste better warm, and maybe even benefit from being served on cask. But this is 1001 bottles… not 1001 draft beers! Maybe that should be our next project. Anyway, this beer is really nice, easy to drink, has a nice hoppy flavor at the start, and finishes with a malty flavor leaving a "clean" mouthfeel. For a beer coming all the way from the UK, I am impressed with the production. Good work, Fuller's!

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 21:58:43 | More by rickyleepotts

Bashao

Israel

3.59/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours amber color from bottle, almost no head that vanished in an instant.

Smell: weak malty aroma due to no head retention.

Taste: starts with sweet malty flavors but changes quickly with the swallow to bitter.

Mouthfeel: very smooth beer. Low carbonation.

Overall: a very nice beer, try combining it with foods that go with it.

Update: I noticed later that the bottle I drunk was 6 months out of date.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 15:58:03 | More by Bashao

alexipa

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

The first thing that hit me with this was the near flawless appearance. Crystal clear orange, thick white head and lots of lacing. Smells strongly of bread and caramel malts. Taste largely backs up the smell, with some nice bittering hops for balance. Mouthfeel again is outstanding, medium bodied and creamy.

An outstanding, legendary beer. A must try.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 04:40:13 | More by alexipa

triskadekaphobia

Ireland

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Habitually would opt for London Pride but this was a revelation. Poured medium golden brown with a white head that gradually dissipated. Full, rounded flavour - slightly sweet with caramel notes but with bitterness in the background.

I'd forgotten just how good ESB can be.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 15:58:03 | More by triskadekaphobia

ghisty

New Brunswick (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

appearance: slow cambered pour into a general issue pint.a ridge of clearness forms just where the head meets the rim as I poured it, and to finish it cut off when i angled the cup leaving a little ripple, through the creamy top inch of perfect foam.

smell: reminds me of orange peels slightly, has an earthiness, something familiar,
very rooty and sweet, almost like unsmoked tobacco.

taste:..dynamic. hops are playing games in there.has me thinking about beef stew. or fresh bread. i feel like they must use something burnt to make this beer., because it has a smoked kind of quality along with everything else, but it is also so smooth, and in some ways still watery enough to be easily drinkable.

mouthfeel:starts as a bit slick past the foam, ends up in an awesome cascade of hops and woodsmoke and all that i just described. then it levels out. clean finish.

overall: id suggest it to everyone considering getting a couple.or even if you arnt thinking about it. its got character for days. i wouldn't call this session beer. unless the session involved beef stew. :) ..but if you want something of a great style. and tastes awesome. this fits the bill . everytime.

Serving type: can

01-15-2013 02:44:16 | More by ghisty

bushbeer75

Michigan

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz brown bottle poured into a mug

Fullers ESB Ale poured a burnt orange/dark amber color producing [approx.] a 1 1/2" off-white head that faded very slowly and left behind nice lacing. The nose was of caramel malts and light honey along with very light flora hops. The taste was malt dominated with flavors of caramel and a little burnt toast. There was just enough hops at the finish to balance the ale. Mouth feel is light-medium, smooth, creamy and slightly sticky.

Fullers ESB is refreshing, balanced and a pleasant easy drinking ale. - a must try for those that like the style.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 18:14:10 | More by bushbeer75

FLima

Brazil

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Amber color. Made just one finger head with short duration, though had it on cask at the brewery (always with a bit lower ABV: 5.5%).
Aroma of floral hops and bready malt.
Taste of floral hops and quite malty, nevertheless it does not come across as heavily bitter, in part as a merit of producing a perfect balanced beer. Still I would like to have it a version B of this beer, more on the bitter side. Not as a substitute once it would be a pity to have it as extinct species.
Light body with light carbonation and small bubbles. High drinkability.
Nice beer, very well balanced, sweet English malts with a refreshing hop flavor. You got to taste this one if you want to better know ESBs.

Serving type: cask

12-24-2012 01:10:40 | More by FLima

Theshooster

Korea (South)

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fuller's ESB is one of my favorite readily available bitters. I have had the pleasure of visiting London a handful of times and always look forward to drinking one (or three) with the locals.

A - Light caramel color

S - Bitter overtones, rich malt

T - Malty and bitter how it should be

M - Full, crisp feel

O - A wonderful bitter that can be found most anywhere

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 04:25:33 | More by Theshooster

tectactoe

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is supposedly the quintessential ESB, right? Maybe I should have started with this one to have a better benchmark for the style. Pours an amber-copper hybrid with nice clarity and a quality of pureness to it. Beige-ish head, sticks around for a bit but doesn't really do much. Nose is kind of weak and hard to pick up specific notes. Certainly malty and full of bread and yeast; dry and woody, nutty with a bit of caramel/toffee to it. The taste follows right along, hitting with some caramel malts that slowly sink into a sea of sweet, woody flavors. Floral notes are abundant but not overpowering, some fruity sweetness and mild citrus flavors come alive a bit more when the beer gets warmer. It still retains a sharpness to it that is hard to explain, but relevant to the character of the brew. Still very woody and a touch nutty all the way through. Surprisingly not that bitter, especially for an ES"B". Thin-medium body, medium carbonation.

I'm not a super-huge fan of ESB's, but I haven't really had enough to make a judgement call. I will say, however, this is one of the best of the bunch. I wish I would have tried this one before all the others, to get more acquainted with the style. This one goes down smooth and quick, high drinkability. It probably wont be in my regular rotation, but it's still pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 13:25:42 | More by tectactoe

Weli

Wisconsin

3.8/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- 12oz into a pint glass. Crystal clear copper color with a thin white head subsiding to fine white lacing and midway through the pint has no head at all.

S-Apples, wet hay, British malt characteristics. Hint of citrus and floral hop aroma, but not hop forward

T-Some initial dark roast flavors, fading into biscuit malt and mild sweetness. Balanced by a dry slightly bitter finish.

M-Low carbonation, definitely in the British style with basically no head. medium bodied. Pleasant, lingering aftertaste that makes me want another

O-Very session-able and well balanced. In fact could be a benchmark for balanced ales. Overall sublimely subtle in a world of off kiltered beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 00:28:24 | More by Weli

Mojo

Alabama

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into Dogfish Head glass

This one pours up a deep clear amber with an initial off white head which dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing. The nose is spices, some notes of alcohol, and grasses. Taste is quite interesting. It delivers a huge sweetness up front moving into an equally huge bitterness. Very well balanced. Mouthfeel is very full although there is not a ton of carbonation. A worthy offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 05:18:49 | More by Mojo