Sunday, April 20, 2008

Bitter!

Now I haven't had many ESBs in my beer career, but I frankly just don't see the point in starting to. Andrew and I were discussing this the other day while drinking my delicious and full-flavored honey IPA, The Cape of Good Hops, and the topic has been fresh on my mind.

One time, I had a Middle Ages Impaled Ale and ESB right next to another in order to examine the differences/similarities. Their flavors, looks, and smells were exactly the same; the ESB was pretty much just a bland and crappier version of the IPA.

So, for those of us who appreciate the many facets of strong-flavored beer and are intrigued by acronymous representations for real words, I ask the question: Why drink an ESB and not an IPA?

Educate me!
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3 comments:

kevin said...

I also participated in this side-by-side comparison, and you're exactly right. The ImPaled Ale was clearly superior in flavor to the ESB, which I found very surprising.

April 20, 2008 at 4:00 PM
The Sna Man said...

ESB's being english styles use all english ingredients and earthy hops. While an IPA can use a wide variety of hops. Often with that sort of citrusy cascade/american hop taste. You should get pint of fuller's ESB as it's archetypical.

So if you're in the mood for a very easy drinking beer with that sort of earthy English flavor. Go with the ESB. Although if the old toad ever has an ESB on Cask that will probably the best you'll be able to do as far as exactly what it's supposed to taste like.

If you're more of a hop head than you might as well stick to the IPA.

Really though I would just as well have a good IPA than an ESB.

April 20, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Jeff said...

Hey, thanks for the education. I'll go out of my way to try a fuller's or something casky if it comes up. Otherwise...

Fuck you ESB I'm American and I love guitar solos and vents! And HOPS!!!

April 20, 2008 at 6:45 PM

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