Grand Teton Bitch Creek ESB

Brewed by Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Victor, Idaho USA

Sampled at Oregon Brewer’s Festival, July ’08. Sweet and dark with an incredible balance of malts and intense hoppiness. Really unique!

Bottled June 2008; Sample August 2008
Pours with a frothy, four finger thick, amber tinged, tan colored head into my 25cl tulip glass. Thick aromas of ample crystal malt usage and citrus-hops are noticeable as I inspect the beer. It has a dark amber, concentrated red color that shows an absolutely brilliantly clear, ruby - cranberry hue when held up to the light. There is definitely a lot of crystal malt in this beer; toasty malt aromatics and thick caramelized sugars are quite noticeable, though the hop notes are perhaps a bit more prominent. Hop aromas of candied citrus peel, grapefruit, concentrated berry notes, some caramelized & reduced tangelo notes as well as a supporting herbal note that has pine-needle leanings to it. A good aroma, even if the crystal malt plays a bit too much of a heavy handed role here.

An aggressively hoppy flavor with ample citrus notes tastes a bit tart at first. Lots of sharp pine flavors as well as a biting bitterness that takes an astringent turn in the finish. The malt character seems a bit murky here; it is definitely from the crystal malt and is a mix of toasted malt notes, caramel flavors and a bit of astringent grain husk notes. The hop character has an almost mint like quality to it at times . This has a definite fullness to it, perhaps a bit more body than one would expect in your average beer of this strength, but nothing outlandish. Lots of sweet, caramelized malt notes serve more to support the ample hop character than being overly noticed on their own (though they definitely are noticeable).

Not a bad beer, but clearly a bit too heavy handed with the caramel malts. The hop character, though fairly aggressive, just can’t quite balance out the sticky crystal malt flavors.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ

Fantastic example of this style. Rich roasty malt backbone with light citrus hints and a strong nutty presence lingering on the finish. Very sweet with soft molasses bits and a light grassy hop presence. Great drink - well balanced and very enjoyable.

great amber color, there’s even shades of plum in there. wispy head refused to leave and left nice lacing. rounded earthy hop aroma, seems balanced with the darker malt. long flavor keeps rolling, balanced perfectly. hops never spin out of control, great esb

A rich malty little treat. Pours a burnt auburn coloring and has a small off white head. Its of of my favorite session beers when I am in this part of the country. So well balanced and satisfying on all parts of the palate. Superb maltiness, with a hint of toasted caramel and pecans. Nicely done!

12 oz bottle Courtesy of jake65. Pours a reddish brown color with a 1/2" tan head. Very dark for an ESB. Nice malty aroma with a floral hop background. Taste is bitter with an intense hop flavor coupled with malts, caramel & nuts. Very enjoyable. If this were easily available to me I would get it again.

Sampled at 99 Bottles in Federal Way. Intensely malty nose chock full of nuts, honey and herbal notes. Flavor was totally nutty, more of the sweet filbert/almond essence than the astringent walnut/pecan character. A stand-out ESB in my book--truly distinctive.

Idaho finally represents. Not that anyone there knows their beer, but this ESB is as solid as it comes. Full bodied and bitter.