Flossmoor Station Express ESB

Nice copper hue with solid white head and moderate lace. The aroma is hoppy (both tradional and a hint of pine), fruity (apple and pear), toasted malts, biscuit, and dry dusty yeast esters. The taste is pretty good really, I enjoyed the interplay between the malts and bitter hops (even though more hop character would have been nice). A citric fruitiness and buttery biscuit undertone for support. The mouthfeel is wonderfully smooth and a touch creamy. A solid ESB, ratebeerian worthy. Nice 1st effort from the new brewmaster.

Just a typical ale, with very little bitterness. Perhaps true to style, though I think even a UK bitter would have more hops than this. This was a touch sweet and had a nice butterscotch aroma.

Mild malt nose. Good hops and bitterness. Fairly good body. Seemed true to style, but lacking any real character.

draft at brewpub-amber/copper hue. earthy hop aroma with some malt. medium body. overally, a very true to style esb.

Good, middle of the road ESB. Slight sweetness, some metallic hop bitterness, touch of butterscotch.

Deep copper with a thin whispy head. Aroma of lightly roasted caramel malts. Body has enough caramel sweetness and a pleasant bitterness. Finishes lightly dry and bittersweet. A good ESB.

Draft. Here’s the first Special by new Brewmaster Matt VanWyk: perhaps a “safe” choice, but then again, I don’t believe FS has ever offered a bitter. Re-sampled, Jan. 04. I took a growler home six weeks after its debut, and find it to be mellowed, picking up some earthiness and esters. I believe I caught some hard water taste from Burton salts. Becomes nice and more complex as I pour ouot more.