Mike Loves Beer

Name - Old Thumper ESA
Country - United States
Type - Extra Special Bitter

Appearance - Poured a deep red almost maroon color that was transparent through.  Small bubbly white head.

Smell - Smells of some slightly sweet malts and almost a tea like smell to it as well.

Taste - Sweet nut tastes up front with a bitter hop taste on the finish.

This is the Shipyard version of Old Thumper and not the British version that you might see on hand pump at British pubs, like the Blue Anchor.  Pretty dead on to what you would expect from an ESB.  I enjoyed it and would definitely have it again.

Overall Grade – B

Name - Rogue Brutal Bitter
Country - United States
Type - ESB

Appearance - Pale and hazy copper color with an amazing sized white head.

Smell - Smell of citrus which I found odd for an ESB but good nonetheless.

Taste - The taste was quite sweet of citrus and malty.  No bitterness really at all to it.

I was pleasantly surprised by this selection.  I expected typical ESB and was thrown a curve ball but I enjoyed it a great deal.  I have still yet to have a Rogue brew that I haven’t liked

Overall Grade – B-

Name - Left Hand Sawtooth Ale
Country - United States
Type - Extra Special Bitter (ESB)

Appearance - A nice amber color with a frothy white head that stuck around for a good bit.

Smell - Malty and hoppy in smell but not to overpowering.  A tint of caramel smell to it as well.

Taste - Hoppy in taste yet sweet.  Not overly hoppy in the taste at all.  Smooth finish with no bad after taste.

I figured it was time to finally give a review to a Left Hand product after hearing and reading so much about their brews.  I honestly had no clue the type this was before opening it because it does not plainly say on the bottle.  I was very pleasantly surprised by it overall.  A nice smell lured me in and the crisp overall good taste and finish made me a fan.  I would recommend this to ESB fans.

Overall Grade – B