Steel & Oak Brewing Co. Dry Hopped ESB Premium Bitter / ESB at 4.6% ABV (C$6.06 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, bottle date 28-Jan-2016, reviewed 18-Mar-2016)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of ivory head, excellent retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: vegetal, catty, biscuity malt, pine. (4/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (3/5)
Tastes quite a bit better than it smells. Actually, the smell settles down after a bit – but the very first whiff is vegetal, and though I don’t know what it’s dry-hopped with, there’s a cattiness suggesting Citra or Mosaic. Definitely not getting the “bright aroma of citrus and grapefruit” in the brewer’s product notes. Although it gets a little more palatable as it progresses, ultimately becoming somewhat drinkable, it’s not great. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
