Fuller's ESB - Fuller Smith & Turner PLC

markaberrant

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - stunning colour, deep copper orange, and brilliant clarity, low off white head leaves a sheet of lace.

S - low aromas, basic malt, english fruity esters

T - sweet malt, caramel, fruit, toast, nuts, bread, earthy hops with a bit of floral and even citrus, finish is not overly bitter, but dry and satisfying, lingering biscuit malt in the aftertaste.

M - smooth, medium-low body, low carbonation

D - I'm not crazy about english bitters, but this is about the best there is in bottled form.

Probably not the freshest example (BB Nov 20, 2008), which is likely why it doesn't have much of a nose on it.

I am a fan of Fuller's, but haven't had the ESB in at least 2 or 3 years. Bitters are really meant to be drank fresh and from a cask, but this is still a good beer. Malt and hops are well balanced, and both have a complex profile.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2008 20:32:54 | More by markaberrant

JHendu

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

05-15-2013 22:25:18 | More by JHendu

pcsnyder

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-15-2013 13:15:02 | More by pcsnyder

jkball01

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%

05-13-2013 16:35:15 | More by jkball01

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

05-13-2013 13:15:26 | More by BeerCon5

RefillMyglass

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-12-2013 18:53:17 | More by RefillMyglass

BeerPHD

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-12-2013 05:57:23 | More by BeerPHD

Caudalie

Quebec (Canada)

3/5  rDev -26.7%

05-10-2013 14:57:41 | More by Caudalie

dsolonenko

Singapore

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

05-10-2013 14:06:55 | More by dsolonenko

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

Nunya

Ohio

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-10-2013 00:22:47 | More by Nunya

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -20.5%

05-08-2013 03:30:56 | More by tommyguz

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-08-2013 03:27:17 | More by dalepryor

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

rhizomatic

Tennessee

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

05-05-2013 00:08:23 | More by rhizomatic

schaffer9252

New York

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-04-2013 17:48:31 | More by schaffer9252

nullbort

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -2.2%

05-04-2013 12:58:06 | More by nullbort

capuchinpilates

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +10%

05-01-2013 16:29:55 | More by capuchinpilates

OB1

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%

04-30-2013 03:31:34 | More by OB1

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

Kevin55

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-28-2013 00:04:09 | More by Kevin55

ambruns1979

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-25-2013 05:54:26 | More by ambruns1979

EmmaC

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%

04-25-2013 00:41:23 | More by EmmaC

BeerOps

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.9%

04-23-2013 00:28:04 | More by BeerOps