Heavy Seas was kind enough to put a note on the beer telling the style of the beer. This is a category 5 ESB extra special bitters. It's an English style that isn't too far removed from and English IPA.
The smell of this beer is very rich with hops, nice earthy grassy hops. There is also a hint of malt in the aroma, but just a hint next to the big hops smell. The appearance is a reddish color that is clear with a few bubbles coming from the bottom. There is a light ring of foam at the top of the glass, just on the edge.
This is a bitter beer, the bitterness caught me off guard and made me wince at the first sip. There is a pronounced bitterness that has a bit of malt sweetness to back it up. The hop bitterness is making the back of my mouth water. There is also some carbonation in the beer that is tingling on my tongue lightening the taste some.
The overall impression of this beer is bitter, and that is what an ESB is supposed to be. I was arguing my dislike for ESB verse my love of IPA's recently and I am glad this ESB backed up my feelings. I want hop flavor in my beer not just bitterness. What makes this beer a Christmas / Winter beer? The label is the only this I can tell that distinguishes it.
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