Esser's Best Original
Cross Plains Beer Company

Esser's Best OriginalEsser's Best Original
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From:
Cross Plains Beer Company
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Helles
Ranked #289
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
81
Ranked #25,737
Avg:
3.5 | pDev: 12.57%
Reviews:
31
Ratings:
48
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 28, 2023
Added:
Mar 13, 2002
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
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Ratings by doubleshovels:
Photo of doubleshovels
Reviewed by doubleshovels from Minnesota

2.46/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Esser's Best poured a classic white head, but it disappered as quick as it formed. In the glass, this beer had a good clarity and golden hue. Its aroma was filled with sweet yeasty fruit, and it was the sweetness that carried over to the taste. A little too sweet and not balanced enough for me in the mouth, the bitterness only hits during the finish and even then it has a more sour then bitter.
Apr 08, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of DarkLordScott
Reviewed by DarkLordScott from Wisconsin

3.39/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a light, pale copper with plenty of carbonation and a thin sheen of foam at the top. Aroma is light malt grain. Taste is clean (one of the cleanest brews I've had), very light with a focus on light malt. While very close to water, this nonetheless is refreshing, simple and doesn't try to do anything fancy. Just a straightforward German lager. 'Nuff said.
Dec 28, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by SSGCujo from Wisconsin

Apr 10, 2022
 
Rated: 3.25 by Dovers from Wisconsin

Feb 27, 2021
Photo of badgerbeer1
Reviewed by badgerbeer1 from Wisconsin

3.28/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
This beer is an enigma to me. I love the cross plains special and at times love this as well. However, consistency is not there and seem to get bad batches that are flat tasting. Still a solid beer but wish it was always the “best”
Nov 26, 2018
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

4.01/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I'm starting to appreciate the Helles more; if only all the new entries could taste this good. Refreshing, crisp.
I notice the Looks are more amber than the pils and the Smells have mostly malt and fewer hops. But Esser's modest, balanced Taste goes particularly well with an uneventful lunch and made both memorable. And Esser's sits in my mouth better than the food. Hard to find, but good to find.

OA: I give extra points because Cross Plains' website is as much about the cultural history of the early German immigrants settling the Midwest as it was about a passion for beer. And it is good to know that a brewer can be "old school" and contract out and still get great quality. Well done !
Sep 17, 2018
 
Rated: 4.32 by Wiscosrw from Wisconsin

Nov 22, 2015
Photo of scaliasux
Reviewed by scaliasux from Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
L - Light copper. Clear. Tall, soapy, white head with good persistence.
S - Sweet grainy malt.
T - Light and malty. Grain and biscuits. A hint of hops in the finish.
Aug 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.64 by Danberg1285 from Wisconsin

May 24, 2015
 
Rated: 2.5 by Basoos1 from Oklahoma

Sep 13, 2014
Photo of jwc215
Reviewed by jwc215 from Arizona

3.28/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Pours slightly chill-hazed amber with a fizzy head that doesn't stay around long. Minimal lacing sticks.

The smell is of some grain. Clean.

The taste is of sweet grain balanced by a bitterish hop touch in the clean, crisp finish.

It's a bit fizzy, but smooth enough. It's a basic, clean, crisp, lager.
Jul 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BeerDazed from Wisconsin

Mar 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by mpking from Wisconsin

Jul 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by zkoehn from Wisconsin

Jun 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by DrJoe82 from Illinois

Jan 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by BYOFB from Wisconsin

Dec 02, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by tyleeis from Wisconsin

Nov 17, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by Jimboe

Oct 03, 2012
 
Rated: 3.25 by slavall from Wisconsin

Jun 20, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Kunstman from Wisconsin

Apr 18, 2012
Esser's Best Original from Cross Plains Beer Company
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 48 ratings