McNeills Extra Special Bitter Ale

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

Dark copper brew with a wispy white head. Huge citrus nose. ESB? Medium light body that is only slightly balanced. This is not an ESB in my opinion. Very much a West Coast Pale/IPA.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Pours a hazy amber-copper color with a moderate head and some lacing. While pouring it, it seemed a little flat. Tasted fine though. Hoppy, sweet fruit aroma. Tasted quite hoppy, sweet, with sugary notes that made it seem maybe a little sweet. Slightly bitter and spicy as well. Good overall tasting beer but a touch too sweet for me. Hops do dominate the flavor so be sure you like hoppy beers when you drink this one.

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 6

Split this with herbjones at a mini southern california get together. This was a dissappointing brew. It's not an ESB. It's more like a west coast IPA. Hoppy, Hoppy, Hoppy. No Malts at all. It's hazy golden golored with a huge hop aroma. I'd rate it higher if it were supposed to be an IPA

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 8

Bottle. Cloudy orange and yellow in color with a nice white head. Hop aroma. Citrus hops. Citrus hop flavor. Very hoppy Esb. No malt character whatsoever. Nice beer.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

GABF '03. Tasting notes didn't have anything good to say, so I will censor them for this site. &^$*@#(!@^*)%& . How's that?

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

This ESB pours with a crystal clear, amber body topped by a thick head with lots of lacing. The aroma is slightly sweet, grapefruity and hoppy with a slight pine note and a touch of malt. A great aroma. The flavor is slightly sweet yet bitter from the hops wtih a slight grapefruit note, some piney notes and a very bitter finish. Medium to full bodied, slightly dry and smooth.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask, poured a copper color with a creamy off white head and nice lacing on the glass. Fruity and freshly herbal hop aroma. Lightly bitter hops and a pleasant fruity citrus taste. Soft and creamy mouthfeel.