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Fuller's ESB

Fuller's Griffin Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Extra Special Bitter · One of 20 Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

ESB was introduced in 1971 as a winter brew replacing an older house ale and has since become a permanent part of the range. It pours a deep mahogany, built on Pale, Crystal and Chocolate malt and hopped with Target, Challenger, Northdown and Goldings. Orange marmalade leads the nose, balanced by soft toffee. Grassy and peppery hop notes with a hint of citrus sit over biscuity malt, and a smooth, gentle bitterness carries into a long, warming finish.

ABV
5.9%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12

AWARDS

Supreme Champion · 1978
Champion Beer of Britain
Supreme Champion · 1981
Champion Beer of Britain
Supreme Champion · 1985
Champion Beer of Britain
Silver · 1991
Champion Beer of Britain
Overall
Gold · 1978
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Gold · 1979
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Gold · 1981
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Gold · 1983
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Gold · 1985
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Gold · 1987
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Silver · 1988
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Bronze · 1980
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Bronze · 1989
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Bronze · 1990
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Ales
Gold · 1991
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Bitters
Silver · 1995
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Bitters
Silver · 2002
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Bitters
Silver · 2008
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Bitters
Bronze · 2005
Champion Beer of Britain
Strong Bitters
Europe's Best Pale Ale – Strong · 2011
World Beer Awards
★Supreme Champion — Champion Beer of Britain
★Supreme Champion — Champion Beer of Britain
★Supreme Champion — Champion Beer of Britain
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Extra Special Bitter.
Hop character
orange
grassy
spicy hop
citrusy
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
chocolate

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best British Amber Ales→Featured inThe Best British Beers→

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fuller's ESB

◎ Appearance

Fuller's ESB presents a beautiful amber to copper hue, characteristic of the Extra Special Bitter style. The beer displays excellent clarity with a thick, creamy tan head that demonstrates impressive retention. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined visual presentation.

ambercoppercreamy headclear

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by rich caramel malt and toasty bread notes, with subtle citrus and floral hop character emerging underneath. English hop varieties contribute gentle earthy undertones and a hint of fruit complexity. The overall aroma is warm, inviting, and classically British without being overly aggressive.

caramel malttoasty breadfloral hopsearthy

◐ Taste

The palate opens with pronounced malty sweetness and caramel character, providing excellent body and fullness on entry. Mid-palate reveals balanced citrus and fruity notes that complement the bread-like malt foundation, while a firm, assertive bitterness builds steadily. The finish delivers a dry, hoppy conclusion that prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying.

maltycaramelcitrusbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with persistent hop bitterness and subtle earthy notes extending the experience. A pleasant, warming aftertaste with residual malt sweetness invites another sip.

drylingeringhoppy
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
89
Appearance
87
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Fuller's ESB

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Fuller's ESB

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 orange, grassy, spicy-hop character as Fuller's ESB will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →