Fullers ESB

Budvar, Schneiderweisse, Duval, Speckled

It's a great Bitter, no doubt, but it packs a PUNCH. I recall a time twenty plus years ago wandering a park somewhere near Kensington on my hands and knees looking for my hotel, as some friendly locals bought me a few rounds. Whew! Never again, I personally destroyed the hotel room with alcohol poisoning, the first and last time in my life. Drink, with caution...he he

IIRC, it's got 5.9% ABV.

Yes, that's correct. Less than 20% more alcohol than Bud. Must've been more than "a few rounds."

Yeah, you must be right here. Seemed like I was hit by a dump truck..c

Considering how the typical English bitter is in the 4s, and some drop into the high 3s, yeah, it does have a punch. It's not as conducive to a long session as some other bitters.

Doesn't mean I don't love the stuff. But it is an anomaly amongst true bitters.

-Steve

No. But it's in the very top tier, IMO. The higher alcohol does detract a bit from one of the things I really appreciate about English bitter: the ability to drink a good amount without staggering home. There are a handful of smaller English-brewery bitters that I find equal to or even better than Fuller's ESB - JW Lees, Oakham, Haviestoun's Bitter & Twisted - but I do absoultely adore the stuff and anytime I find myself in London make sure I find a place that has it on offer in good shape. There are few things that match the pleasure of a fresh pint.

-Steve

Isn't that a little bit like saying Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout packs a punch because it's stronger than a typical English stout? Doesn't ESB imply a stronger, richer substyle of bitter? And isn't the Fullers ESB typical, in terms of alcohol content, for its style?

Well, here's the deal: Technically speaking, in England, there is no such style as ESB. Fuller's ESB is a trademarked name, and it's not a stylistic designation. It would be a bit like saying Anchor Steam Beer is typical for the style.

The notion that ESB is a style is pretty much an American one. And therefore, in England, Fuller's ESB is indeed strong for the style, the style being bitter.

-Steve

After reading this thread I was lucky enough to drop into the Mermaid Inn in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia in time to have the first pint from a newly tapped keg of it. Had a few more, too. Great stuff!

Jon