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Propeller ESB

Propeller Brewing Company
Canada·Extra Special Bitter
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One of the two beers Propeller opened with in 1997 and still an anchor of the range. Copper-coloured and medium-bodied, it follows the English bitter tradition: caramel and toasted biscuit from the malt, a hint of orange citrus from the hops, and a bitterness that stays firm without turning severe. The finish is smooth and lingers, with malt sweetness and hop bite holding an even balance from first sip to last.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold
World Beer Championships
★Gold — World Beer Championships
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
carameltoastymalty
caramel
toasty
malty
orange
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with caramel sweetness and toasted biscuit character from well-kilned malts.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Propeller ESB

◎ Appearance

Copper hue with good transparency and a light golden sheen when held to light. A modest, creamy head forms and persists with gentle lacing. Carbonation appears moderate and even throughout the glass.

copper-colouredclearstable headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with caramel sweetness and toasted biscuit character from well-kilned malts. A gentle citrus note—suggestive of orange zest—emerges alongside restrained noble hop aromatics. No yeast phenolics or esters dominate; the overall impression is balanced and inviting.

carameltoasted biscuitorange citrusnoble hop

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and medium-bodied, with caramel and toasty malt providing a sweet foundation. Mid-palate brings hop bitterness into clear focus—orange citrus notes bridge malt and bitterness without either dominating. The bitterness is firm yet measured, leaving no astringency behind.

smoothbalanced malt-hoprestrained bitternessmedium body

◑ Finish

The finish extends with grace, malt sweetness and hop bite remaining in close equilibrium. A clean, lingering aftertaste without harshness or cloying character.

lingeringbalancedclean
79
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
82
Appearance
76
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Propeller ESB

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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 caramel, smooth, toasty character as Propeller ESB will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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