Sierra Nevada ESB (Early Spring Beer)
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(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)
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We could all use an early spring. (To hell with that Pennsylvania groundhog and his stupid shadow.) Today I grabbed a bottle of Sierra Nevada ESB (Early Spring Beer).
Here in New England and around much of the United States, we’ve had a bit of a respite from the bitter cold that has been plaguing us all winter. Some of the snow has begun to melt, and where I have plowed walking paths with my snow blower I can actually see, for the first time in months, what’s left of my decimated lawn.
It must be for occasions like this that Sierra Nevada releases its ESB in January, calling it an Early Spring Beer. While ESB typically stands for Extra Special Bitter or Extra Strong Bitter, reader John D. pointed out in a Forum post recently that many breweries take liberties with the initials — consider the Elvis’s Special Bitter that has been brewed in the past by Laurelwood in Portland, OR.
For some background on the ESB style, I turned to BeerAdvocate.com:
ESBs are essentially more aggressive and more balanced Bitters, both in alcohol and hop character, but nothing overpowering. Color range will be similar, though leaning towards the darker end of the scale; dark golds to copper. Low carbonation. Malts tend to be more pronounced, often toasty and fruity, with maybe some notes diacetyl. And despite “bitter” being in its name, ESBs are not really all that bitter. The key to an ESB is balance.
Most of the beer I drink for BeerADay.net gets served in a Duvel tulip glass. I roughly poured the beer, and was fairly surprised when the Sierra Nevada ESB fizzed forth a head that would rival a carefully poured Duvel — and it stuck around, leaving layers of lace as my libation lessened.
A Duvel glass is like a woman’s little black dress. Versatile, almost always appropriate, and it tends to create sex appeal. Holding the ESB to the light was like gazing into a copper crystal ball. I didn’t see an early spring, nor did I see my distant future, but I did see myself enjoying this beer.
Malt and hop in the aroma, bready with some tangy spice, this beer smells like an IPA — and the nose is the epitome of truth in advertising, because the taste mimics the aroma. The hops are a bit stronger in your mouth, but the malt eases the way.
According to the 2009 ESB label:
Our ESB combines the best of English tradition with West Coast style. A blend of malts featuring British-grown Maris Otter is balanced with the earthy spiciness of hand-selected English and US hops. The ale is left unfiltered, which enhances mouthfeel and hop aroma creating a slightly reddish-copper hue.
I could drink this beer all year long. Shame it’s a seasonal. The body is light and refreshing, with the bitterness of a mild IPA (about 45 IBU).
Too bad I can’t have another ESB, but the pain is eased because I grabbed a bottle of Sierra Nevada Torpedo recently. That beer is taking aim at an upcoming IPA Monday!
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5 Comments
February 13th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Nice review! This paragraph was a classic:
“A Duvel glass is like a woman’s little black dress. Versatile, almost always appropriate, and it tends to create sex appeal. Holding the ESB to the light was like gazing into a copper crystal ball. I didn’t see an early spring, nor did I see my distant future, but I did see myself enjoying this beer.”
That really tickled me :) I really liked their ESB last year. The Torpedo hasn’t shown up down here yet, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled for it and I look forward to reading your thoughts.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I have had this within the last month, and your observation that it is an IPA is sheep’s clothing is spot on. As you know, my bend runs closer to bodied lagers and stouts, but this was not an unattractive beer. It was not overly bitter to lack balance, but was distinctly keeping its flavor to the back of the tongue and offered a clearly IPA aftertaste.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Damien, thanks for the kudos — that was one of my favorite lines, too. I’ve never had Torpedo but I’m hearing good things about it.
Bruce, I agree with your agreement — though “not an unattractive beer” is more of a backward compliment than I’d offer. I liked it, and I wonder if I’d have been able to pull more from the beer if I’d consumed a couple in a row…
February 15th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
The Torpedo has been spotted. I snagged a six-pack at the store today, haven’t tried it yet. Will review later this week.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Back handed compliments are the only kind I give. Regardless, it was necessary for a beer that struggles for identity as much as this one.