ESB Ale

[steveh]

Flying Fish Brewing Company, Cherry Hill, NJ. 5.5 ABV from the FF web site. 12 oz bottle from Chaz.

Pours a clear amber color with a thick, light cream colored head that settles to a respectable cap.

Light biscuit malts in nose with a slight muddy (not muddled, but actual wet dirt smell) aroma. Fruit esters from warm ferment, possibly hops, also present.

Biscuit malt flavor with fruit esters and tangy hop finish and aftertaste.

Thin to medium body with a light syrupy mouth feel.

Drinkable beer, but I was expecting more from an Extra Special. Could use some bigger malts to balance the flavor - more caramel or toffee character. The FF web site proclaims, "This ESB is a classic British extra special bitter made fresh with an American slant." Which would explain the tipped balance to the hops side.

S.

[threecb]

I find that FF is definitely better on tap than in bottles. The XPA is nicer in bottles than the ESB.

Though the 2 Belgian style seasonals -- Winter Grand Cru and Summer Farmhouse -- are my favorites. Not seriously true to the Belgian style guidelines, but very drinkable. Although I've also heard that this year's Farmhouse in bottles, which was contract brewed this year at the Lion in Wilkes-Barre, PA, is not up to the usual standards. My wife will be bummed out, it's one of her favorite summer seasonals.