Russell Brewing Company Blood Alley Bitter Premium Bitter / ESB at 5.5% ABV (C$6.29 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 23-May-2016, reviewed 24-May-2016)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one finger of growing fluffy off-white head, excellent retention and chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grainy caramel and biscuity malt, citrus, pine, grassy and light floral. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration bitter finish. (3/5)
A bitter, that’s actually bitter? What’s next, a premium lager that’s actually premium? Solid ESB, with a decent hop presence only slightly behind a biscuity caramel malt. Pleasant body with a drying bitter finish. Solid example of a style that usually fails to impress. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
