All About Beer Magazine

Beer Talk

The Wise Extra Special Bitter

Elysian Brewing Co.
Seattle, WA

Available: WA, OR, AK, ID

Brewed with pale, crystal, Munich and carahell malts; and Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops.

Alcohol (wt.): 4.9
Alcohol (vol.): 6.2
Color: n/a
Bitterness: 39
Gravity: 1058

• Charles Finkel

  Elysian’s philosophy of “bigger is better” appeals to the educated beer drinker. A mineral-like unpolished amber gown is capped in regal ermine. The complex aroma of stone fruit and spring flowers has a depth and complexity best appreciated by a graduate of Ale U. Handfuls of hops combined with marvelous malt deliver a poetic balance—real alchemy. A blind date with Mediterranean Mussels in a garlic and chardonnay sauce resulted in love at first sip. A textbook example of ESB.

• Charlie Papazian

  Ale true to its pedigree. Great fruity and hop aroma, bringing back memories of all the great ales of America. Floral and caramel flows introducing a body full but not overwhelming. It quenches Toasted malts provide the foundation of wonderful, toffee-caramel flavors that combine with ale fruitiness and a floral hop flavors. One of the most delightful and satisfying ESBs I’ve had. Hands down my preference over imported originals.

• Roger Protz

  The benchmark for Extra Special Bitter is Fuller’s ESB in London. How does this offering rate? The color is good: a burnished copper, topped by a tightly beaded head of foam. A tempting aroma offers rich, tangy orange fruit, ripe malt and hop resins. Hops and fruit dominate the palate but rich malt builds in the finish, which becomes dry and bitter with great hop bitterness and a final blast of tart orange fruit. Full-bodied and memorable.