Huvila ESB

Brewed by Malmgårdin Panimo
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Malmgård, Finland

22nd May 2008. Sour brown beer but with a great deal of smoothness. Some subtle fruit and a well integrated hoppy bitter finish. Very very drinkable.

Lightly hazed copper color with a moderate, slightly rocky, canvas colored head with decent lace. Floral hops and light fruit aromas. Seems to have an unripe fruit presence. Strong malt and hops immediately hit the tongue with clementines and caramel. Flavors seem to linger and fade throughout the rest of the quaff, as bitterness starts to build. Linger is lightly sweet and a beernut quality. This does not finish as well as it starts, but If all brews started as strong as this one I would be happy. This is one where you look forward for the next sip, not because of the finish, but because you want to savor the start. Now that I think about this one I am reminded of some of the early vintage Fullers. Very nice.

500ml bottle. Hazed orange. Dense toasted barley and husky orange peel nose. Full, chewy, hefty body, well-mashed, solidly hopped, well-balanced bitterness. Minerally yeast and gritty/dirty/husky malt in the finish is ridiculously pleasant. Pretty much what I dig in ESB. Noble hop bitterness, dirty, minerally yeast, medium dryness. Awesome.

Pours copper with a thin head. Aroma is caramel and citrus, lighter biscuity and floral tones. Floral bitterness in the flavour with a medium maltiness supporting. Lingering slightly dry bitter finish. Well done and enjoyable bitter.

Keg at HBF 09. Clear amber with a tiny pale head. Moderate English hops in the aroma, slight vegies, dryish caramel malts, pretty mild. Flavor shows the hops a bit better along with some cellar, bready maltiness and slightly tangy bitterness. Almost medium bodied, low lush carbonation. I remember this being better a few years ago, should sample again when I get the chance. Hopely from a cask.

Bottle from Liquid Solutions. Slightly hazy copper color with a slight off-white head. Lots of fresh florality in the aroma. Medum plus body with interestingly firm carbonation. Flavor is brown paper malt (wtf is that?), and floral bitter. Finish is dry and bitter. It’s not quite England, but it’s rather close. I like it.

Tasted at the San Diego International Beer Festival. Medium brown with a fizzy tan head. Roasted malt aroma and taste with an unpleasant sour finish.

Bottle. Head is initially small, creamy, off-white, mostly lasting. Body is hazy medium amber, bottle conditioned. Aroma is lightly to moderately malty (cookie, toasted grain, caramel), moderately hoppy (apricot/orange/grapefruit), lightly yeasty (dough), with light notes of gum, dried mango, and black tea. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium body, creamy texture, lively/soft carbonation, lightly alcoholic. Not a "wow" rendition, but solid. Pleasant nose, but it certainly could be more expressive and complex. Good flavor balance, plenty of bitterness for a quenching finish. Creamy in both head appearance and mouthfeel. Fun beer.