[dilluh98]

I recently had a very nice ESB at a local brewery and it inspired me to take a crack at brewing my first. I have a bit of a strange brewing system where I make one mash and then split it into two separate 3 gallon boils/batches of wort. Typically I’ll just play with different hops or maybe a different yeast between the two. Here’s what I was thinking for the ESB:

90% Maris Otter
5% C-60
5% Torrified Wheat
OG = 1.055-ish
WLP002 (or WLP022 maybe?)

For the first batch I was thinking about going all EKG for the hops at around 40 BUs. Not sure what to do, hop-wise, for the second. Any suggestions about maybe a more American-bent hop schedule for this other 3 gallon batch? As for my preferences, I tend to like a more straightforward/clean bitterness in my hop-forward beers rather than sickly-sweet hop flavor/aroma bombs.

[erockrph]

I'd say about half the time I brew an ESB I doctor it up with American hops a bit. I usually include some EKG's, but then pair it with something else to give it some interest. I think EKG + Caliente + Centennial is the combo I like the best. I think I bittered it to 45 IBU's with Challenger at 60 minutes, then added an ounce each of EKG, Cent and Caliente at flameout.

The Trooper has become one of my go-to commercial ESB's, and they use Golding, Bobec and Cascade. You get some black tea and marmalade that is common in UK hops, but also a hint of that floral/citrus Cascade thing.

Your recipe will make a really nice ESB, by the way. WLP002 is my favorite ESB strain, but there are many good ones out there. WLP013 makes a nice ESB. I've also been meaning to give WY1469 a try, since I'm a huge Landlord fan.

[brewinhard]

I've also been meaning to give WY1469 a try, since I'm a huge Landlord fan.

Love WY1469 for my ESB's. 

[Phil_M]

The Trooper has become one of my go-to commercial ESB's, and they use Golding, Bobec and Cascade. You get some black tea and marmalade that is common in UK hops, but also a hint of that floral/citrus Cascade thing.

+1

Bought it because Iron Maiden, bought it again because it's a great beer. Haven't been able to find it recently though. I really liked the way they used cascade in it.

[erockrph]

The Trooper has become one of my go-to commercial ESB's, and they use Golding, Bobec and Cascade. You get some black tea and marmalade that is common in UK hops, but also a hint of that floral/citrus Cascade thing.

+1

Bought it because Iron Maiden, bought it again because it's a great beer. Haven't been able to find it recently though. I really liked the way they used cascade in it.

Same here. It was OK when I tried it initially, but now that I can get it reasonably fresh in cans that my packy keeps cold I find myself reaching for it quite a bit more often.

[toby]

Bought it because Iron Maiden, bought it again because it's a great beer. Haven't been able to find it recently though. I really liked the way they used cascade in it.

Personally really like that they started canning it.  It also dropped the price by half.

[Phil_M]

I'll have to talk to the store, see if they can get it again. I'm excited that it's sold in cans now, it was really pricey in bottles.

[toby]

Yeah, it's functionally twice the price in bottles.  Locally, bottles (0.5L) run ~$6.50 each.  The cans (16oz) are $12 for a 4 pack.