Stoudt's Scarlet Lady ESB
12 oz bottle purchased for $1.49 at Hollingshead Deli in May 2006, tated in June 2006. Pours a very reddish amber that made me think it was a red ale, not an ESB. I had to double check the bottle once I saw it listed as ESB here. Good looking for a Red Ale, surprising profile for an ESB. Nice looking off-white head of tiny bubbles fed by lazy carbonation. Aroma is sweet- malty that is mostly caramel and somewhat bready. Flavor is malty, with minimal bitter (it's an ESB, it needs bitter!). Not as sweet as the aroma, in fact it's almost (but not quite) dry. Metallic notes when it's cold, decreases as it warms. Kind of one-note in its simplicity. Moderately creamy mouthfeel keeps this interesting to drink. Not a bad beer, easy drinker, but not a lot of wow factor.