Wagner Valley Captain Currys ESB

Brewed by Wagner Valley Brewing Company
Style: Premium Bitter/ESB
Lodi, New York USA

Very very dark. In fact, I'd say this is more of a brown ale color. Head forms only as patches of white mist, with a ring of head around the edges. Aroma is a little different, with a bit of caramel. Sort of like a cross betwen a mild and a bitter. That's ok by me. Flavor is malty and slightly fruity, with a touch of breadiness and enough hopping to support. Body is medium, on the heavy side of the spectrum, with mild carbonation and a long malty finish. While not an ESB in the strictest sense, i thought it was pretty damn good.

Bitters and strong ales along with the IPA’s have become a favorite. Nice nose, big finish, quite robust in its own right.

Massive head. Someone told me this brewery won some GABF awards this year, so I snagged some of their brews here in NYC. Taste: not really hopped at all. Odd. Not even in the aftertaste. Reminds me of the misnamed ’Welsh ESB’ (which is terrific, by the way). More malty than hoppy, and nice to drink. Perhaps a bit thin?

Let me first say, I had this sitting at cellar temp, maybe slightly warmer, popped the cap and I had a friggin explosion 65-70% of the beer was lost. Inexcusable. For the beer, Cloudy, copper/orange. Nice head and lace. Nose of minerals, fruity yeast, malt and others. Lightish medium bodied, heady, earthy malt character, subtle hopping but noticeable, a nicely balanced and drinkable ESB, too bad I couldnt enjoy the whole bottle. Will have to give another go.

Pass the biscuits, we’ve got butter,we’ve got butter.a good esb, I was surprised,pleasant buttery taste in this beer, I just like to joke about it.Nice malt and hop balance,casually assertive.

Iced tea color with particles suspended. Thin, foamy off white head. Scattered, big bubbled carbonation. Caramel and roasted malt aroma with toasted grain notes as well as some grassy hops. Toasty and lightly crisp with a strong Goldings bitterness and flavor. Sharp metallic bite and lengthy grassy aftertaste. Wafer thin sweetness. Medium light body. Metallic notes fade thankfully. Goldings and Willamette hop flavors take over as it warms. Finishes better with toasted grains and a leafy hop underlay and bitterly balanced ending.

Sort of a sour (ringwood) aroma. Decent body with a good bitter/malt balance. A fairly decent ESB

Beer poured from the bottle with a small head and was a very dark copper color. It did have a slightly smokey nose. Had a slight malty/wine taste with a slightly hoppy finish. Not your usual ESB, but it was good none the less.