Blue Point Extra Special Bitter

Brewed by Blue Point Brewing
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Patchogue, New York USA

Tap at The Brazen Head (Brooklyn). More bitter than an English ESB, like Fuller’s, so watch out for that. Pleasant, rich malt body, but expect an Amber Ale.

Clear copper color with a foamy tan head. Aroma was a nice bitter . Taste was everything you want out of an ESB with roasted maltiness and mellow hop bitterness. True to style, so to speak.

Deep amber body with a decent-sized tan head. Wonderful light citrusy aroma. Subtle hoppy flavor, dry and bitter balanced by a sweet maltiness. Good!

Right out of a growler, Mark Bruford, the brewer brought. Poured red as a penny, nice thick head on top. Head lasted good, lace was impressive. Notes of roasted barley, sweet malt and then bam. Hops. This was a good ESB. Drank several more glasses before I could move on. Highly drinkable. When in New York area, get your hands on this.!

Growler. This is the type of ESB that reminds me of Troegs ESB, which I loved so much. It is a nice deep clear amber color with a great head. Aroma is of hops hops and more hops- probably some willamette. Flavor is of nice caramel malt and spicy/ yet subdues hops, while the finish is smooth and leaves a little bitter bite. My new favorite ESB since Troegs has discontinued its ESB- Although I heard a rumor it may come back in limited quantities.

Hmmmm.....Yummy - a very good beer indeed. Extremely well-balanced with strong hops, mild malts and a general overall earthiness. Perfectly smooth, and refreshing. Not too much of a bite in the finish. Slightly woody and fruity aroma.

[note - if you are not getting this beer fresh from the brewery, then you are not "getting this beer" - it just keeps getting freakin’ better - a world class session bitter if I’ve ever had one - get it from the source...right now!] [growler] Mmmm, good beer - copper/amber body with a thick, frothy head that clings to the glass - huge hop aroma, with some hints of fruit - the aroma sets up the flavor well - lots of hops with hints of malty, fruity sweetness (mostly strawberry) that weaves itself perfectly into the hop character - nearly perfect balance of malt and hops in the finish - this sample was not thin-bodied at all - the best Blue Point I’ve tried so far.

Pours a lovely inch-thick head on a full pint--frothy on top but dense at the border with the slightly hazy, chestnut brown body. Wonderful aroma, like a strawberry "Orange Julius" drink (if you happen to know that old chain of frothy fruit-drink makers). First tastes are of quality hops, full and fragrant. But the body is watery thin, a massive disappointment, and as the beer warmed it provided a weak finish as well. (hand-pull cask at Gingerman, NYC)