Lunar ESB

Draft at Cask Night at the Park Pub--this was one of the cask offerings. Nice stuff. Lunar somehow seems like the forgotten ale lineup for Baron, but some of that talent and attention to detail shows through on the top-fermented side now and then. Maybe if I’m not thinking of Lunar often enough, it’s my fault, not theirs. This one poured a deep mahogany with brilliant garnet highlights. Nice creamy/sudsy tan head. Not very like an ESB, and not very like a casked ESB, at that. Mild brown sugar and even licorice notes on the nose, swirling around a tea and biscuit mix that’s actually quite palatable and understated. More of the same weird dry/sweet dichotomy happening on the mid-palate, with a nice light, clean, drinkable body. Neutral finish. Startlingly good, without a doubt.

Hazy dark amber. Very caramelly nose. Chewy Munich/Vienna malt character. Light earthy hops. Fairly sweet finish.