Tasty, definitely a pretty good attempt at an American-style ESB. Proper slightly sweet malt and a good bite of hops. I think the EKG is the nice finish on it. (Fresh from Brewery - Growler 11/28/2008)

Bottle courtesy of mymrnngjckt poured into a pint glass. Pours a clearish tea-colored amber with a one inch off-white head that lingers for a while. The constant stream of bubbles from the bottom feed a swirl in the middle throughout. Some earthy hops open up the aroma with some caramel malts and toasted grains in the background. There also seem to be some spices in the mix as well. The taste has a bitter zing up front with a solid grain presence and some earthy hops. There is a slightly peppery and dry finish. All the flavors really meld together in this one - very nice. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with tons of carbonation and very tingly throughout. This is a great bitter and probably one of the better Scratch series brews as an example of its style. Very solid.

The body shows just a glimmer of a light haze, dark reddish-amber in color. A crown of spongy, beige colored foam is well retained, sticking around for a good while. Jagged, splotchy ribbons of lace coat the glass very well. The aroma is fruitier than expected, notes of orange marmalade and grapefruit rind showing amidst wet, grassy hops and toasty biscuit malts. Robust, well balanced flavors include a toasted caramel and biscuit malt base, with more of the bitter, grassy, citrus hops immediately following. There’s a distinct, lactic creaminess that carries forward into a substantial, well balanced body. The brilliance here is the mirage that the full flavor and ample body creates. The brew tastes and feels bigger than it is, which is difficult to achieve. This reminds me of Surly’s Bitter Brewer, just slightly less extraordinary. Great session beer.

Bottle thanks to JB175. Thanks Jason. Pours hazy, dark amber with a nice frothy head that leaves some lacing. Aroma is grassy, spicy hops, biscuity and slight orange. Flavor is a nice mix of spicy hops and malt. Really well balanced and drinkable. A good bitter.

Bottle: Poured an orange amber color with a nice amount of head. The aroma was hops and spice. The flavor was smooth, hoppy and a nice spicy/bitter finish. Overall, an easy drinker. One that would be nice to have as a regular from Troegs.