Sweet malt-wafted English-styled Extra Special Bitter lacks appropriate enriched bitterness then finishes weak and predictable. Blunt hops disturb initial toasted grain development, blemishing delicate chocolate malt insistence and maple sap suggestion. Nowhere near as thick and heavy as false “Anvil” signifier.

Dank grain-malted prune-hued ESB leads sweet barley inlet and bitter hop undercurrent down into blandly soft-watered Scotch basin. Distant nuttiness caresses unassuming mineral grain finish.

Citric-perfumed ESB counters initial barleymalt sweetness and earthy mineral grain ascendancy with hop-tingled orange peel bitterness, but desolate finish rather toned down for English bitter styling.

Sedately mild English Bitter needs firmer bruised lemon souring and more vigorous floral hop bittering. Dry earthen vegetal hint and sweet tobacco stint bring scant compensation.

Up-front rye determination of copper-bronzed bitter lingers way past wheat-cracked barley biscuit confluence and mild chicory sway, finishing with a honeyed Scotch-like warmth.

Clear golden copper English-styled Bitter retains courteous bread-like lightness and sugary bottom. Buttery almond-caramel nuance masks cardboard-y finish admirably.

On tap, dry-bodied chocolate malting persists as vegetal backdrop builds above honeyed cocoa restraint. Fig-date recess hides oxidized acidity, but grassy hop bitterness recedes to styptic bark-like parch. In bottled version circa 2011, overpowering foam burst forth, forming ridiculously rocky tan head, so please pour slowly. Dry-honeyed rye-breaded caramel malting and sweet tobacco roast contrast mild orange-dried nut-soured hop-toasted bittering, creating sleek ESB flavor profile. Contract brewed and bottled by Mercury Brewing, Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Refreshingly spry bitter with mellowing barley recession to crisp mineral water finish. Off-dry hop bitterness underscores grain intimacy for mild pilsner elan that lager fans may find tempting.

Delicate barley-hopped roasting, sugary malt zip, and clean mineral water flow provide ballast for efficient pearly-headed pale-toned dry body. Floral hop continuance, yellow fruited souring, and minor quince-pear-peach coquetry offer contrast but traditional golden ale gets phenol and lacks staying power.

Volcanic bubbly flow tops beige-headed malt chocolate-influenced bitter. Roasted barley overtones and cereal-mineral grains inform butterscotch finish, providing traditional British essence. Happily lacking tinny disturbance of most canned ales.

With pulsing candied sweetness confronting crisp hop bitterness, the rustic Beast Bitter carves out its own distinctive niche. The dragon regalia is a gas. (So as long as we’re celebrating the Middle Ages, hand me a beer, wench!) Pale-hued foamy white-headed full body counters honeyed apricot motif with buttery malts, leafy earthiness, and unusual assortment of spicy adjuncts.

Parched caramelized malts lie atop bitter hop canopy darkened by dry floral spicing and miniscule tart fruiting. But clean mountain water consistency can’t save phenol finish from diluted astringency.