Fullers ESB should stand for “Extra Special Beer”

Okay, okay – before you call me on it – yes, I realize I’ve already used one of these ESB caps before.  I didn’t actually realize that until after I’d taken the picture and settled in for the evening though, so I’m totally using it – don’t shoot me!  😉

You can check out my other post about Fullers ESB if you want – it’s a fabulous beer.  England certainly has special water that puts a tell-tale taste in its beers; it’s a taste that I love!  “ESB” actually stands for “Extra Special Bitter”, and this beer does have a little bitterness at the end, but it’s maltiness is what really draws me in.  If you haven’t tried Fullers ESB or their London Pride, you should.  Both of those beers are well brewed and tasty!

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The Creamy Beer in the Gold Can

 

When you think of a creamy headed beer, I’m sure Guinness is the first beer that comes to mind – but Boddingtons is just as creamy and even more delicious, in my opinion!  Served in a big yellow can, this English Bitter is full of flavor and has been around since 1778.

I first discovered Boddingtons about ten years ago, when I was looking for canned beer to take on a tubing trip (no glass allowed).  I was pleasantly surprised by the creaminess but sharp bite that this beer packed into a can; I totally expected it to taste like some generic lager.  Just in case you’re curious, I also picked up Guinness and Youngs Double Chocolate Stout (can you say “YUMMY”??).  I know I’ve mentioned before that canned beers have come a long way, but I do still enjoy this classic!

Old Tom – Claims “World’s Best Ale”?

I took this with my cell phone’s camera, so don’t hold it against me.   I’m going to have to start carrying my camera out with me when I go have beer at friends’ houses!

This is another beer that our friend Pat brought back from Europe.  This “Old Tom” Strong Ale is brewed by Robinsons Brewery in Stockport, England.   It’s 8.5% and sports a great label!

This beer was so malty… but without any sweetness.  It was the strangest thing!  My husband said it tasted a lot like Black Strap Molasses, which aren’t sweet like regular molasses.  Whatever was in this, it wasn’t my thing.  I enjoy rich, full, malty beers – but part of the reason I love malty beers is because the malt brings with it some sweetness and even a raisin taste, at times.

I did love this small little warning on the back showing a pregnant lady with an “X” through it.  Nice of them to add a PSA.  I thought that was just as cute as the Tom Cat on the front.

Evidently, for a small bottle, it’s pretty pricey, but with a label stating “World’s Best Ale”, you’ve gotta give it a try – right?

I Found the Holy Grail!

I found out that they now sell the Holy Grail Ale in six packs – I only ever remember it in larger 500ml bottles.  My husband snagged said prize (it was hard to miss with the glowing lights and angels singing around it) and brought it home for us to drink.  Wow – after my first sip I’m reminded how appropriately named it is.  I love the malt and hop flavors… and seeing as it’s brewed in England – it has that “English water” taste.  You know what I’m talking about right – that taste that is so hard for brewers here to duplicate?  That English water really adds to the malty richness and full mouth feel of the beer.  Just by tasting it, I wouldn’t have guessed that it’s only 4.7%ABV – it seems so much bigger.  I’m thankful for the lower alcohol content though, it’s nice to have a beer you can sit back and enjoy 2 (or 5) of.  🙂

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the tie in to Monty Python – as I love “The Holy Grail” movie!  I didn’t test it out, but I’d be willing to bet they engineered these bottle caps to float so it’s easier to determine who’s a witch.

Fullers… English for Beer

English Beer… it makes me think of Fish and Chips and a good ‘ole pub with a Billard and Shuffle board table.  There’s a local English Pub in Richmond that serves Fullers ESB on tap and it’s so delicious.  ESB is really a combination of my favorite beer characters rolled into one; malty with a rich mouth feel and a bitter finish… ahhh… I really should visit Jolly Old England!

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but English beers are hard to “clone” because water in England had different mineral and such than ours.  I still think that one of the reasons that New Castle is one of my favorite brown beers is because of the unique taste it has due to the water.

This “ESB” from Fullers… which stands for “Extra Special Bitter” is certainly special – so give it a try!  Cherrio!

Leffe – The Brown you can’t buy in the U.S.!

When my husband and I first started dating, he raved about this beer that he had while backpacking through Europe.  In a small, very old brewery in Brugge, he stubbled upon Leffe Brown.  It was one of the most delicious beers he had tasted and actually started his quest for “good beers” – straying away from your run of the mill, random domestics.

We searched for this beer from state to state but, much to our despair, were told that they only sold the Leffe Blonde in the United States and that the Brown was not imported here.    I so wanted to try this beer my husband raved about, and he longed to have a taste again of what turned him on to craft brewing.

Fast forward a couple of years, to when we honeymooned on the Island of St. Maarten.  What a beautiful island filled with lots of different tastes and cultures!  One evening we stumbled upon a small German restaurant (yes, a German restaurant on a warm vacation island), but we love German food and German beer – so it was certainly a find!  Inside, the small bar/eatery boasted a number of delicious beers, one being the long sought after Leffe Brown.  We drank the four beers the kind owner had on hand, and she even ordered us another four to pick up a couple of days later.  It’s rich, chocolaty malt and has that distinctive Belgium beer taste.  It’s been a while since I’ve had it, but I can remember that it was wonderful.

So, I bet you’re wondering where this particular cap (or bottle) came from, eh?  Our friend was recently in Europe, knew our story about this legendary beer, found it and brought us one back. What can we say, we have great friends!  So, the reason the cap is still attached??  We haven’t opened it yet; we’re waiting for a special evening to share it together – maybe even a wedding anniversary?