hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Public Ale

Tap to rate

Bready Maris Otter malt, English crystal malt with some residual sweetness and fruity esters from the house ale yeast shape this 5.5% Extra Special Bitter. The blend of English, German and American hops is noticeable but sits within the whole. The name is an ode to the sessionable style long found in English public houses.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter38 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2013
Great American Beer Festival
Extra Special Bitter
★Gold — Great American Beer Festival (Extra Special Bitter)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
breadyfruitymalty
bready
fruity
malty
hoppy
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with earthy, bready notes from Maris Otter malt, underscored by subtle caramel sweetness from the English crystal malt component.
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Public Ale

◎ Appearance

Public Ale presents a warm copper-amber hue typical of the Extra Special Bitter style, with good clarity and a persistent tan head. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating fine bubbles that rise steadily. Lacing clings to the glass with each sip, indicating a malt-forward body and stable foam structure.

copper-amberclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with earthy, bready notes from Maris Otter malt, underscored by subtle caramel sweetness from the English crystal malt component. A gentle fruity ester character emerges from the house ale yeast—ripe stone fruit and a whisper of orchard fruit—while the English, German, and American hop blend contributes restrained herbal and floral undertones without dominating the profile.

bready maltstone fruit estersherbal hopscaramel sweetness

◐ Taste

Entry is soft and malty, with biscuit and bread-crust flavors establishing the foundation. Mid-palate brings a harmonious blend of residual malt sweetness and light caramel notes, while the fruity yeast character adds depth without obscuring the malt bill. Bitterness arrives in the latter half—measured and clean at 38 IBU—balancing the sweetness without harsh edges, and the diverse hop selection adds subtle spice and earthiness rather than aggressive citrus or pine.

bready maltlight caramelbalanced bitternessfruity yeast

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with lingering malt sweetness and a gentle hop bite that fades without astringency. Sessionable drinkability remains throughout, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

clean finishmalt-driven aftertastesessionable
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
80
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Public Ale

More from Community Beer Company

Citra Slice IPA
Citra Slice IPA
American IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Community Legion Belgian-Style Pale
Community Texas Pils
Community Texas Pils
German Pilsner
5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Funnel Cake Ale
Honey Citrus Blonde
Honey Citrus Blonde
Blonde Ale
6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Kush Hazy IPA
Kush Hazy IPA
Hazy IPA
8%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Mosaic IPA
Mosaic IPA
American IPA
8.6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Mosaic Pale Ale
Mosaic Pale Ale
Pale Ale
5.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About Extra Special Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra Special Bitter?

Extra Special Bitter is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Extra Special Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bready, fruity, malty character as Public Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

Compare with another beer →