Marstons Firestoker

Brewed by Marstons (Marstons plc)
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Burton-on-Trent, England

The initial aroma is instantly recognisable as rising from a Marston’s brew - a wisp of sweet malt whiskey. Then some tasty and interesting vanilla notes creep in and start to take over. The taste is initially malt again, but as with the aroma that vanilla is going to come along in a minute. Before the vanilla, though, there is caramel and soft, sweet toffee. Mmmm. Tasty brew. Quite soft, and very smooth. The smoothness is a negative for me, as I prefer my beers with a little edge. And the vanilla... At first it’s quite interesting - creamy and delicious, but when the bitter notes from the hops make themselves felt, and the oakiness comes through, it all clashes in an unpleasant, almost disgusting manner with that vanilla. The finish is very dry and bitter, with a tannic quality that could be cherry skins. This is an interesting brew, and if you had just a few gulps you might find it quite tasty. A full pint is a little too demanding and off-balance. As this comes in a clear glass bottle I am sure that by the time it gets to America and is stored badly in the shops this might end up as being rated one of the world’s worse beers. [2.9]
Relaxing in the garden with Piers and Zelie I found this much more pleasurable than my previous visits. Big vanilla aroma - ice-cream and wafer. Soft caramel flavour - slight hint of cherry in the finish. Mild cherry stone bitterness. Some almonds. Very pleasant. [3.5]

Clear bottle. I was expecting bad things from this beer. Appearance is amber with a small white head. Aromas are, phwooey! Once you open the bottle the skunky aroma filled the room - then it settled down to caramel and vanilla. Not bad. Flavours are caramel, cherries and more vanilla. This beer is quite a success considering the initial whiff. A good, if unusual beer.

Vanilla. End of review. What do you mean, not enough words? OK; aroma is... vanilla. Tastes of... vanilla. Looks like...uh, well, it looks like a damn fine bitter, actually. Golden orange, pleasing white head. And lest we forget, an underlying woody, malty, bitterishness to it. With just more than a hint of vanilla.

Bottled. I'm a big fan of beers that add some more unusual flavours into the brew, and vanilla is certainly not one I've come accross before! From the moment the bottle was opened, the presence of vanilla was quite distinct, although it was complemented by a definate woodey aroma. As for the taste, I found it sweeter than most beers, aided by a strong hint of caramel. Overall, I perhaps wouldn't want to be drinking this everyday, but as something different, it's a winner.

(500 ml bottle). Deep golden to amber colour, moderate head. Aroma is hoppy and dominant vanilla. Flavour is not sweet, quite bitter actually, and the vanilla somehow seems out of place. I guess there's a reason most beers don't smell and taste strongly of vanilla. Nice for a change of pace, though.

I found this beer an above average brew. A light orange colour and lots of vanilla in the aroma and vanilla and caramel in the taste. At least they are trying something different and the mouthfeel wasn't bad.

Bottled.Golden/ginger colour fine white head. I was struck by a chocolate aroma. Amazing considering the look of the beer. Bitterish finish. Doesn't stand out from the Marstons bunch.