Fuller’s ESB English Ale Review
April 15, 2009
I’m really excited to try the Fuller’s ESB (Extra Special Bitter) for The Brew Club’s English Ale Month because the last beer I reviewed was Fuller’s London Pride which I thought was very good. I’m curious to see how the two beers compare. In addition, Bob the Brit also just reviewed Fuller’s London Porter, so its a bit of a Griffen Brewery streak!
The Fullers ESB is another beer, like the Fuller’s London Pride that has won a ton of awards at various beer competitions over the years. For example, the Fullers ESB had won the CAMRA award for best strong ale in 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1991, but I guess its enough awards because its now almost 20 years since winning. Fullers ESB was also named ‘Champion Beer of Britain’ a few times, most recently in 1985.
So, this beer has been rather successful over the years, but what has it done for you lately? Lets find out!
This 5.9% ABV Extra Special Bitter was a coppery color as you might see in the picture. It created a nice foamy head that diminished to a frothy coating on the beer’s surface.
As with the London Pride, this beer is perfectly clear with just a few bubbles lazily making their way upward toward the surface.
The aroma was something on the bready side, and I could also pick up a sweetness from (I think) the malt was most noticeable as well.
Moving on to the taste, I got mostly the malt, but then as the name suggests, you get this dry, bitter kick from the hops that leave the whole mouth tingling. There is a lingering and lightly fruity bitterness in the aftertaste, and a little bit of an alcohol warming as well that persists between sips.
At almost 6% ABV as compared to the 4.7% ABV of the London Pride, maybe that’s why. Still, its not that you get an alcohol taste that ruins the sweet/bitter balance that’s going on here, but you feel it on the tongue and its noticeable.
So, wrapping up, its a good beer no doubt but my personal opinion on it is mixed. I’d say that the Fuller’s ESB is a nicely balanced beer that is quite drinkable and indeed enjoyable. They have a good thing going with the malt and the hops, a very nice balance and a very smooth drinker.
On the other hand, I wasn’t thrilled about the bitterness, it was a little much for my taste. This is probably my first ESB ‘style’ beer I’ve had – so my frame of reference is a little weak.
Still, Fuller’s ESB has won a ton of awards and it is held in very high regard in beer circles so you should probably try it and decide for yourself if its your thing. It just wasn’t mine.
Have you had the Fuller’s ESB? What did you think about it? Is there an ESB you would suggest to compare it to?
Rating: 
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Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Ales, All Brews Reviewed, English Beers
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April 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I found your perception of the bitterness in the ESB interesting. I’ve never found the bottled or exported keg Fullers ESB ever to be particularly bitter (whereas the cask conditioned FESB I’ve had had a pronounced…but pleasing… bitterness). But of course, as with any beer, the colder it is served, the more the balance of flavors is affected. Beers like this seem to lose a lot when you chill them any colder than 48-50F.
Unless I missed it, you didn’t seem to mention the serving temperature of your sample.
How cold are you pouring the Fuller’s beers for tasting? Just curious.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Good point. I didn’t put a thermometer in it so I couldn’t give you even a really accurate idea of the temperature, but here’s what I did.
It was in the fridge so I guess that’s around 40, and it probably sat in the glass about 10 minutes before I started to drink it. Maybe it was still on the cold side when I tried it?
Like I said, this was my first ESB, so it could also be I don’t know what a really bitter beer tastes like yet as a comparison. Is there another brand you can suggest so I can get more of a feel for the style? I know this is a favorite among many people and I’m not knocking it at all – it just didn’t thrill me.
Scott-TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Fullers London Porter – English Ale Review
April 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Red Hook makes one that people seem to love. You’re right about the bitter stuff. You would think that since it’s an Extra Special Bitter (with all the extra grain content) that it would mask/balance some of the bitterness perceived. I don’t know that I’ve had too many actual Bitter myself. I know that Sierra Nevada makes one also.
Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Sip with us Saturday: Brooklyn Brown Ale or Dogfish Head India Brown Ale
April 16th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Mike, thanks for the tip. Its hard to judge a style of beer unless you have a frame of reference, so I’ll see if I can find a single of the Red Hook or SN you mentioned for future comparison.
Scott – The Brew Club’s last blog post..Want to Learn Beer? Start Home Brewing
April 17th, 2009 at 2:10 am
You might recall, Scott, last year I suggested that beers should be enjoyed at the same temperature (or thereabouts) that they were brewed at.
So chill lagers, but for the most part Ales should be enjoyed at around room temperature, that’ll bring out the best of teh aroma.
Bob the Brit’s last blog post..Public Schools
April 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I agree with Bob. I almost always drink beers at room or brew/fermenting temp. Flavors can definitely come alive when you let a beer warm up over an hour period.
Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Review of Founder’s Red Rye P.A.
April 17th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
This is a great ESB to me. A local English pub has it on hand pump there and it is to die for. I haven’t had Red Hook’s but I have had Sierra Nevada’s and it doesn’t really hold a candle to Fuller’s.
Mike’s last blog post..Weltenburger Kloster Asam-Bock
April 17th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
OK, looks like I messed this one up then! I’m thinking 10 minutes or so to warm up! Not a problem, I’ll just get another ESB and do it right next time! Thanks for the troubleshooting tips!
Scott-TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Beer Review – Coopers Sparkling Ale