The Taproom at Lowercase Brewing offers independent craft beer lovers a choice of at least 13 different brews to try every time they visit. Amongst the permanently available selection of seven known as “The Regulars,” you're going to find our award-winning Extra Special Bitter (ESB). But what exactly is an ESB, and what makes it extra special?
We're going to take a look at the features of this pale ale that is, for us, forever a taste of London. We'll tell you about our version of this English classic that we brew right here in Seattle with authentic British ingredients and invite you into our Taproom so you can try it for yourself.
What to Look for In an Extra Special Bitter
ESB is an English-style pale ale with distinctive characteristics of flavor and aroma that make it a favorite amongst beer connoisseurs. A typical ESB has a characteristic taste that originates from the masterful balancing of the bitterness of the chosen hops and the flavors of the malt and yeast used in the brewing process.
Hops
The hops selected typically have a medium to a high level of bitterness, and this will come through in part in the recognizable flavor and aroma of the ESB beer. Brewers will, however, choose hops that have a balanced character and use them in quantities that will not overwhelm the final taste with an excessively robust presence.
Malt and Yeast
The malts in ESB ales are what make the final taste so unique and tend to add a certain level of sweetness to the beer. It is authentic British malt that is key to the distinctive ESB flavor that includes an unusual toasty or biscuit-like background that comes from the traditionally darker English malt kilning process.
Additionally, the selected yeast varieties used will bring unique fruity flavors. Although called a bitter, in general, the expected final taste from an ESB would be regarded as a medium bitterness at the highest due to the malt and yeast used.
Color and ABV
An ESB will be golden to deep copper in color with a low level of carbonation displayed by only a few slowly rising bubbles. Strengths vary but are typically in the range of 4.5-5.5% ABV, giving it an average to moderate alcohol content.
Final Flavor
The final ESB beer will have fruity tones and aromas that are readily recognizable to the experienced nose. The beer balances nicely between hop bitterness, malt toast taste, and fruit, with the sweetness coming through mid-palate before drying to a clean and pleasing hoppy finish.
History of the ESB
The ESB that we know around the world today has its original roots in a beer brewed by London's Fuller's brewery. Originally brewed in 1969, this beer has been awarded the Champion Beer of Britain award on three occasions and the Best Strong Ale seven times.
The Fuller's ESB is 5.5% ABV, is made with a recipe involving multiple varieties of hops and malt, and is known for an exceptionally fruity orange-like flavor that balances the medium bitterness.
Fuller's ESB is widely available in the UK and has been enjoyed by many visitors to the country, which has perhaps contributed to the demand for a similar beer from local craft breweries in the US.
The ESB Today
The success of the London ESB has inspired brewers worldwide, and you will find versions of varying quality included in the lineups of most craft producers.
While there is considerable variation in different breweries' output, the ESB character has become a recognized style of beer that generally remains true to something like the original. The medium hop flavor with malty and fruity sweetness is recognizable, while the average 5.5% ABV, considered as strong in Britain, puts it in the medium level in much of the rest of the world.
The Lowercase Brewing Extra Special Bitter
At Lowercase, we have produced an authentic English-style pale ale ESB and added our own local American expertise.
Carefully Chosen Ingredients
We have chosen to start with Maris Otter malt grown in the UK and specially imported for our beer. We know that a genuinely authentic ESB must use British malt and would not think of using the name if we didn't begin here.
Our US flair comes in with the selection of the excellent Washington state Golding hops, which have an attractive level of bitterness that plays with the malt to result in a delightful brew. These hops are descended from the original British East Kent Golding variety, so they have an excellent pedigree.
The final color of our ESB is a ruby amber, and the somewhat complex malt gives way to a subtle fennel-like hop finish at the end of each mouthful. The final ABV is 5.2%, and we think this is an excellent beer that perfectly complements almost any food.
Our Award-Winning ESB
We're incredibly proud of how well this beer has been received by our customers and have accordingly made it one of our permanently offered Taproom choices.
Our Lowercase ESB has been awarded the “English-Style Bitters” Gold Medal at the 2019 WA Beer Awards and the Silver in “Amber/Red Ales” at the 2018 “Best of the NorthWest.”
Visit our Georgetown Taproom
When you visit us at Lowercase Brewing, you're going to find a range of at least 13 choices on offer in our Taproom that will satisfy the tastes of all lovers of fine independent craft beers. Our brewery started off life as a hobby producing beer in our basement for ourselves and friends. When demand quickly outstripped our capacity, we realized that it was something that we needed to take seriously.
After several years we have brought the very best international ingredients and worked hard to grow our Seattle brewery to what it is today. We aim to provide an unbeatable range of craft beers that is authentic to the long history that has run before us while adding our own local beer production and ingredient influences and willingness to experiment.
We're proud to have our product and efforts recognized sufficiently to be named the WBA 2019 Mid-Sized Brewery of the Year. Our individual beers have also been the winners of no less than seven of the prodigious Washington Beer Awards, with six having been the top gold medal.
Wide Drink and Food Selection
When you visit our Georgetown Taproom on Airport Way South for yourself, you can try out our craft beers, and we also have wine and cider on offer. For anyone needing caffeine, we have excellent cold-brewed coffee from the famous Seven Bean Roasters.
We offer a choice of delicious snack-style foods to perfectly go with your ESB, including Beef Curry, BBQ Pork, or Lentil-packed Okazu Pan Pastries, freshly-baked soft pretzels with house beer cheese, or a platter of spiced Landjäger meat with mustard and sauerkraut. If you're not so hungry but just feel the need for something salty, you can dig into the free house popcorn.
We invite you to call ahead for tables in the Taproom, but you are, of course, more than welcome to just drop in. We also have a comfortable and heated outdoor patio area where our best four-legged friends are happily accommodated.
Craft Beer to Take Away or Order for Delivery
When you've decided that our ESB is for you, we offer take-out packages of four-packs or our filled-to-order 32oz LoBoy cans. We also have online ordering available for selected beers for delivery direct to your door.
If we've sparked your interest in trying South Seattle's own version of a classic English ESB pale ale, drop in and visit us at Lowercase Brewing as soon as possible. We'd be delighted to give you a taste of this and any of our other great craft beers.
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