Brewers Alley Extra Special Bitter

Tap@Brewer’s Alley in Frederick, MD->mini pilsner glass. Pours a white, but diminishing head atop an amber body. Apple and caramel aroma. Dry, bitter taste that ends astringently. Heavy body and somewhat chalky. Admittedly, I’ve never been a big fan of ESBs, so take my particular rating with a grain of salt.

Had this seasonal beer on draft at the brewery. The beer had a slightly roasty aroma with a a caramel scent mixed with some earthy hops and a modest floral effect. It was a dark red-copper beer with a good-sized white head that had good retention and slight cling. The beer was bitter and a bit grainy, but balanced with a sweet malty flavor too. A wet, above-average density body with decent carbonation, and a drying finish. Pretty good seasonal beer.