Sierra Nevada ESB (Early Spring Beer)
A: This is a bottle conditioned beer. I did my best not to stir up the yeast while I poured. Deep gold color has good clarity for being bottle conditioned. Cream head is only one finger thick, but has strong retention. Carbonation is fairly active, with small bubbles. Leaves a heavy lace down the glass. S: The dominant aromas are of citrus and pine, with a slight biscuit quality behind them. T: Malt hits first with a toasted sourdough bread quality. The moderate bitterness is a combination of citrus and spice. Most notably grapefruit and coriander. Finishes very dry with a lingering bitterness. M: Medium body with the right amount of carbonation. Feels a little chewy in the mouth. D: Quite good. This is both a good session brew and a nice accompaniment to food.