Goose Island American ESB

Draft. Included as part of a sampler at the brewpub. Tried many of the GI offerings over several visits to the brewpub while living in Chicago. I remembered liking pretty much everything but do not remember specifics.

Extra Special and Bitter. Beautiful look. Light on alcohol. Bitter tang that you want.

Draught @ Goose Island Clybourne: This one pours a fairly clear amber color with a slight tinge of orange. There was a slight off-white head and lacing. A fairly strong aroma of hops, with some hints of grapefruit and piney notes. Some of the malts come through also to the nose. The taste has a bit of a caramel malt sweetness with a good shot of hops. Well balanced and well done!

Slightly hazy amber body. Almost no head--only large white bubbles exist. Strong hoppy aroma for an ESB, though subtle compared to IPAs. Nice underlying malts to balance the pine resin, grapefruit, tea leaves and lemons. The flavor, whilst bitter, has more malt character. Caramel and nut early before a strong, dry-bitter finish. A very suitable name as it is more bitter or ESB than IPA, but closer to APA than any other beer in that class I've tried. A cool idea executed well.

Poured a hazy orange color with an off white thick creamy head and nice lacing. Nice citrus hop aroma. Mildly bitter hop taste. Some straw and light fruits were also noticed here, very creamy mouthfeel, I should mention this was on cask as well.

Hand-pulled at Clybourn: Shiny copper kettle hue with good frothy head and lace. The aroma hints of sharp piney hops (centential and cascade), grapefruit and pineapple esters, chalky, and very earthy yeast esters. The taste starts very well balanced with an tones of bitter hops, sweet caramel malts, and softened water. Minor citric nature midway with a touch of buttery biscuit. Lingering soft bitterness upon finish. Medium-bodied with a sharp mouthfeel initally but then smoothes out. A well done non-tradional bitter but isn't no APA/IPA either. Recommended.