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Beer specs

Beer details
Rating: 80

Redhook ESB

Brewery: Redhook Ale Brewery · Woodenville, WA
Variety: Ale · English Ale · Extra Special / Strong Bitter (ESB)
Alcohol: ABV 5.77% / ABW 4.52%
IBU: 28
Preferred vessel: Pint glass
Color: Red/Brown (American Amber) (13 SRM)
Added by Matt Lewis

Brewed Since 1987 - Redhook ESB is brewed with a careful blend of two-row Klages and Caramel 60 barley malts and two hop varieties: Willamette and U.S.-grown Tettnang. This rich, copper-colored ale is styled by a complex balance between the bitterness of the hops and the sweetness of a heavier caramel malting. A late addition of hops highlights the fresh aroma.

Gold Medal at the 2006 North American Beer Awards

Grain Variety: 2-row Klages, Caramel 60

Hop Variety: Willamette, Tettnang

Flavor Profile: Rich, round, toasted malt with pleasant finishing sweetness

Smooth, Malty, Bitter, Hoppy, Delicious

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Reviews

  1. Review by Matt Lewis
    Rating: 90

    Matt Lewis

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Cincinnati, OH
    Jan. 13th, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
    Comment:

    Definitely one of my favorite ESBs a very special bitter. The flavor is so rich you may just settle down with this one. Bitter but to a taste you can enjoy.

    Characteristics: bitter full sweet
  2. Review by gb
    Rating: 76

    gb

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Seattle, WA
    Jan. 14th, 2009 at 3:39 p.m.
    Comment:

    I quite often order when it’s on tap. Surprisingly drinkable, and quite certainly bitter (which can be good and bad, depending on the palate).

    Characteristics: bitter
  3. Review by Remi
    Rating: 75

    Remi

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Spokane, WA
    Jan. 22nd, 2009 at 3:26 p.m.
    Comment:

    Lightly bitter and very smooth. This is definitely a gateway-beer to better products.

    Characteristics: bitter smooth
  4. Review by mjb
    Rating: 88

    mjb

    drank this beer from a Bottle
    Jan. 25th, 2009 at 1:58 p.m.
    Comment:

    Characteristics:
  5. Review by elmazz
    Rating: 77

    elmazz

    drank this beer from a Bottle in Eugene, OR
    Feb. 7th, 2009 at 10:39 p.m.
    Comment:

    A good brew on a hot day.

    Characteristics:
  6. Review by Brandon Schoenberger
    Rating: 90

    Brandon Schoenberger

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Seattle, WA
    Feb. 18th, 2009 at 4:46 p.m.
    Comment:

    Redhook ESB is currently my number one beer of choice. Nothing like a ice cold ESB after a baseball game.

    Characteristics: bitter delicious smooth
  7. Review by BuddyJ
    Rating: 74

    BuddyJ

    drank this beer from a Bottle in Seattle, WA
    March 11th, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.
    Comment:

    When it comes to Redhook’s “alphabet beer,” the ESB wins over their IPA.

    Characteristics:
  8. Review by tpaull
    Rating: 81

    tpaull

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Woodinville, WA
    March 12th, 2009 at 7:32 p.m.
    Comment:

    Back in the day this was THE beer we’d drink when the guys and I in my house got our financial aid, and we’d savor this through out the quarter. Now, I’m close enough that I can run down to the brewery, take the tour, and ahhh enjoy this darn tasty ESB. For me its what all others are measured against.

    Characteristics:
  9. Review by boog_5000
    Rating: 83

    boog_5000

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in New York, NY
    March 13th, 2009 at 1:58 p.m.
    Comment:

    Probably my favorite ESB. Good from a tap or out of a bottle.

    Characteristics:
  10. Review by nilok
    Rating: 70

    nilok

    drank this beer from a Bottle in Seattle, WA
    March 27th, 2009 at 7:58 p.m.
    Comment:

    Good, rich, if somewhat basic beer. Enough bitter to remind you that you’re drinking something, but not so much to turn the average person off.

    Characteristics: bitter rich
  11. Review by crashingbashley
    Rating: 94

    crashingbashley

    drank this beer from a Bottle
    March 28th, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.
    Comment:

    This is one of my favorites!

    Characteristics:
  12. Review by scredsfan
    Rating: 83

    scredsfan

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Aiken, SC
    April 7th, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
    Comment:

    I hadn’t had any Redhook ESB for awhile, so I picked some up today and was pleasantly surprised. Light, clear, copper color, nice carbonation. Balanced, hop-malt aroma followed a crisp malty flavor. Clean finish. I’m putting this one on my list of “go-to” beers - tasty and relatively inexpensive!

    Characteristics: clean_finish complex crisp hoppy malty
  13. Review by Joel Mahaffey
    Rating: 80

    Joel Mahaffey

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Orono, ME
    April 24th, 2009 at 6:54 p.m.
    Comment:

    A good session beer. Very easy going, with a little bit of spiciness to keep it interesting. Not sure where the bitter is — may have to drink one ice cold.

    Characteristics: malty spicy
  14. Review by Matt Johnson
    Rating: 67

    Matt Johnson

    drank this beer from a Bottle in Renton, WA
    June 26th, 2009 at 7:35 p.m.
    Comment:

    Caramel smoothness with a bit of a bitter kick. Pretty tame but flavorful nonetheless. This was my go-to beer for years before I discovered truly great beer.

    Characteristics:

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