You are what you drink
Written: Jan 14 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quality beer from a great brewery
Cons: Not the bitter kick I had hoped for
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| cking's Full Review: Belk's ESB |
I really like bitter beer. Bitter everything, really. I don't go in for lattes or other foofy coffee drinks; I want straight espresso. Black coffee. Dark Chocolate. No mixed drinks, please, just a Jameson's straight up.
Red Hook used to make a great beer named Ballard Bitter, but it disappeared around the same time that they introduced their inoffensive IPA. It was a real loss. It was a beautiful beer with the sharp tang of a finish that makes a bitter a bitter. I recently saw that their ESB (Extra Special Bitter) and gave it a shot. It's pretty good. Nice dark amber color. Rich taste you'll find in any Red Hook. (Happily, success hasn't spoiled the product of this Seattle business. I wish Starbucks had the same integrity! Before they expanded like cancer, I used to look forward to visits to Starbucks when I was planning a trip Seattle. They really dumbed-down the brand when they went national.) Sadly, the ending is a bit disappointing. It's like the nice brewers at Red Hook are afraid of hurting us. Most likely, they are just settling for the lowest common denominator bitter flavor that a majority of us will tolerate.
But don't get me wrong. I like Red Hook ESB and will continue to buy it. But I'll still miss Ballard Bitter.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cking
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Member: Chris King
Location: Portable, OR
Reviews written: 44
Trusted by: 54 members
About Me:
I am a rock. I am an island.
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