An airy blanket of big bubbles coats the top of this burnt orange brew, while a thick, heavy caramel aroma with light biscuity accents swirls up into the nose: If aroma is any indicator, this isn’t a small beer. With an ABV at the higher end of the ESB category, this moderately strong brew’s sweet malts display a gravitas matched only by grassy, resinous hops that deliver a much-needed balance of bitterness. Caramel and earthy notes swarm the front and middle of the tongue, before a wave of intense bitterness emerges to wrestle with the lingering thick sweetness. As the liquid (and some alcohol warmth) sinks into the chest, there’s no doubt this is an amped-up, “extra” special bitter.
