- Let’s Brew
- Community
- Directories
- Events
- Competitions
- Membership
- Homebrewing Rights
- Zymurgy
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- Grow Your Business
BridgePort ESB
Portland, Oregon
BJCP Category: 8C Extra Special Bitter
BridgePort Brewing Co. <visit site>
34
-
[expand]Total Score: 28/50
An older sample that lacked brightness, crispness and freshness that one expects in an ESB. The lack of hop flavor and aroma and the muted caramel notes would support this possibility. more >
[close]Total Score: 28/50
Aroma: Very fruity but mainly of bananas, almost weizen-like. This was very distracting. Lots of alcohol wafting from my tulip tasting glass. No diacetyl. No hop aroma; this was very unexpected, both of the style and this beer. There’s a dull, oxidized malt character. Perhaps this is an old sample? (6/12)
close >
Appearance: Chill haze that never cleared. Thick, chewy head that was quite long lasting. Very carbonated (high for an ESB but OK). Amber color was right on target. (2/3)
Flavor: Soft maltiness with balancing and assertive hop bitterness, particularly evident in the finish. Little hop flavor however. This was out of style and character for BridgePort. Fruity esters present in flavor as well as aroma, especially the banana character that is really out of place. Alcohols evident. Low diacetyl level, OK. Some dull, caramel malt character that was indicative of oxidation. Was this an older sample that was beyond its shelf life? (11/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body, good. Slight astringency in mouthfeel from high hopping rates, OK. Smooth otherwise. Some alcohol warming. (4/5)
Overall Impression: An older sample that lacked brightness, crispness and freshness that one expects in an ESB. The lack of hop flavor and aroma and the muted caramel notes would support this possibility. The banana character may have been from an errant bug or warm storage damaging the beer. Not a particularly exciting sample in this condition. There was no date code but this bottle may have been older than the product’s shelf life. (5/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Clean beer with a caramel sweet malt backbone to support the spicy grapefruit hop character. Seems skewed toward the West Coast American style in hop character. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Crystal caramel malt sweetness with mild fruity esters of ripe Bartlett pear skin. Moderate hop aroma of noble type, spicy floral, like some rose varieties. No off aromas. (8/12)
close >
Appearance: Deep golden color with slight haze. Creamy persistent head, off-white with tiny even bubbles, creates lovely lace on sides of the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Toasty-caramel malt flavors support hop flavors of cinnamon-peppery rose. Lingering bitterness more West Coast American than British. Caramel malt lingers as well, adding richness and sweetness, providing backbone for hop character that evolves to ruby grapefruit. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium full body; not heavy or cloying. Carbonation is firm, not soft, not gassy or prickly. Finishes with slight alcoholic warmth and lingering hop bitterness. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Clean beer with a caramel sweet malt backbone to support the spicy grapefruit hop character. Seems skewed toward the West Coast American style in hop character, but stands up to some British examples. A great first beer of the day, this would go well with “pub” foods like fish and chips or Scotch eggs. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 38/50
Good interpretation of the ESB style, which does allow quite a bit of latitude. This version leans toward hop bitterness and fermentation character, while others emphasize the malt more. more >
[close]Total Score: 38/50
Aroma: Fruit and hoppy, with malt playing a secondary role. Esters are predominantly pear and strawberry, and caramel malt and spicy hops combine to give notes similar to some pipe tobaccos. It doesn’t have the mineral edge of a classic British ESB like Fuller’s but is still quite pleasant. Some alcohol is evident as it breathes. (9/12)
close >
Appearance: Beautiful in all respects. Creamy, linen-white head with uniform beading. Deep copper/ruby color with pristine clarity. Head retention is impressive. (3/3)
Flavor: Good interpretation of an ESB—crystal malt is evident but is not excessively roasty. Esters are also apparent, and hops lend an earthiness with a hint of citrus. Flavors seem a little muted, perhaps from oxidation. Finally, long hop bitterness is a bit more pronounced than Fuller’s but pleasant and within style boundaries. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Slightly metallic, but is not the same character as that imparted by Burtonization. Slight alcoholic warmth is appropriate, but body could be creamier with more dextrins. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Good interpretation of the ESB style, which does allow quite a bit of latitude. This version leans toward hop bitterness and fermentation character, while others emphasize the malt more. The flavors seem a little muted, but the beer could be brightened up by using water salts to mimic the mineral character of Burton. This beer would do well if served from a beer engine. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 34/50
Could use a bit more sweetness in the finish and a caramel richness in the flavor (or just more malt complexity; it’s too grainy). more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Aroma: Sweet caramelly malt up front with an earthy, floral hop nose. The malt has a bready, biscuity character. Both hops and malt are fairly strong and in balance. Soft fruity esters in background. Hops linger and develop a piney quality. A little bit of alcohol is noticeable as it warms but is mixed in with the malt. Nothing off but not quite as clean and rich as expected. (9/12)
close >
Appearance: Well-formed off-white head—creamy, frothy, persistent. Medium amber color—fairly light. Slight haze—could be clearer. (2/3)
Flavor: Strong grainy, malty flavor initially with a bready, toasty, lightly toffee quality. A strong hop bitterness develops mid-palate and lingers into the long, dusty, dry finish. Herbal, floral hop flavor is prominent and blends with malt flavors. Restrained caramel. Dry. Alcohol flavors present. A sulfury mineral profile adds to the dryness. Very light esters. Bitterness tends to overshadow the malt. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body (nicely done). Moderately warming alcohol present. Medium to medium-low carbonation. Dryness hits most of palate. Alcohol seems a bit over the top—it enhances the dryness. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Could use a bit more sweetness in the finish and a caramel richness in the flavor (or just more malt complexity; it’s too grainy). Quite dry and minerally. Perhaps a bit too much sulfate—less would let the malt step up more. Some additional age might smooth out the alcohol; it’s a little too hot now. Maybe mash higher and/or use more/darker crystal malts. Tasty nonetheless. (6/10)
