Black Sheep Ale

Brewed by Black Sheep
Style: Bitter
Ripon, England

I gotta say that as far as ESB’s go, this one is right up there. A nice caramel sweet nose, with nothing done overboard. Appearance is a cloudy amber color. Flavors were carmel with an interesting hop attack that smooths everything out. Easy drinking for sure, and it beats the pants off the other stuff made from these guys. Not bad!

Pours an amber/orange with a thick rocky off-white head that won’t go away and coats the glass with lace. There is very little cloudiness for a bottle conditioned ale and has an appealing fruity hoppy aroma. Taste is maple sweet malt and tart fruit up front with moderate hop bitterness on the back. A very good session ESB.

Refreshing and enjoyable ale. The favour is good, but not particularly complex, with a nice bitter edge. Often in the Burleigh Arms, Cambridge, where it helps to watch England’s cricket enormously.

500ml bottle, from Tesco (BBE Feb 2007). A coppery amber coloured beer with a thin but persistent white head that lasts to the bottom of the glass. My impression of this beer changed as I drank it; initially the aroma seemed to be dominated by robust malt but, as I progressed, dusty hops became more noticeable. A slightly papery element, characteristic of pasteurisation, was a constant component, however. On the palate, the first impression is of sweetish, but hearty malt. The earthy Goldings come through later and lead into a lingering soft bitterness in the aftertaste. In fact, earthy was my lasting impression of this beer. As the commercial description suggests, there is a distinct bittersweet feeling, but the mouthfeel seemed a tad dull and there was a sort of powdery, chalky dryness left in the mouth. Better on cask.

500 ml bottle. Thick, lasting off-white dense head over slightly hazed golden/orange body. Sweet citrus nose, also some fairly dry malts and mild earthy hops. Dry and clean mouthfeel. Healthy body. Nice bitter finish. Refreshing.

Fruity initial aroma, pours clear copper with good creamy head, good lacing. Full bodied, smooth, solid malt and fruit flavours, quite dry. Then the Goldings come out in aroma and the finish. Smooth, clean and tasty.

It has a wine smelling aroma. Has a steeped tea color. Does not have much for a head. Has a bitter aftertaste that eventually smoothes itself out. More bitter then what im used to but it is tolerable.

Pours amber and effervescent with a thin, wispy tan head. Aroma of earthy toffee and pale malt. Taste includes aromatic elements plus fruity esters, dates, and nuts. Mouthfeel is full bodied with lively carbonation.