hopIQ
EN|DE
Sign up freeSign in
DirectoryFuller's Griffin Brewery

ESB

Fuller's Griffin Brewery
No ratings yet · tap to rate
🌍 England · Extra Special Bitter · One of 3 Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

Three-time Champion Beer of Britain. Rich mahogany colour with orange marmalade aromas, biscuity Crystal malt and a perfectly balanced hop finish. Fuller's flagship strong ale since 1971.

ABV
5.9%
IBU
35
SRM
amber14

Flavor Profile

How this beer tastes, mapped across 44 dimensions

malty
75%
caramel
63%
wheat
50%
bodied
50%
hop bitterness
38%
crisp
38%
smooth
38%
warming
25%
dark fruit
25%
earthy
13%
nutty
13%
floral
0%

Similar Beers to ESB

AI matched

Extra Special Bitters with matching hop character, bitterness and body

See the full alternatives page for 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 malty, caramel, wheat character as ESB will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Extra Special Bitters in hopIQ

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of ESB

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°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.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for ESB

Appearance

Fuller's ESB displays a striking rich mahogany hue with excellent clarity and a well-formed, persistent head. The deep amber-copper color catches the light beautifully, indicating the presence of Crystal malts and proper caramelization during brewing. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined visual presentation.

rich mahoganycopper-amberpersistent headbrilliant clarity

Aroma

The nose is immediately inviting, dominated by orange marmalade sweetness balanced with biscuity malt complexity. Subtle floral and earthy hop notes emerge behind the prominent fruit and grain character, while a gentle warmth from the 5.9% ABV adds depth without overwhelming. The aroma profile is classically British, evoking traditional biscuit factory and candied citrus notes.

orange marmaladebiscuity maltfloral hopsearthy undertones

Taste

The palate opens with robust malt sweetness and caramel notes, transitioning to a bread-like, full-bodied character that coats the mouth satisfyingly. Mid-palate reveals dark fruit complexity and nutty undertones, while balanced bitterness (35 IBUs) arrives cleanly without harshness. The 5.9% ABV provides subtle alcohol warmth that enhances rather than dominates the overall profile.

caramel-sweetfull-bodiedbalanced bitternessdark fruit notes

Finish

The finish is remarkably clean and smooth, with bitterness fading gracefully into a dry aftertaste. The lingering sensation carries subtle nutty and earthy notes, inviting another sip without fatigue.

clean finishsmoothdry aftertaste
88
hopIQ score
aroma
86
taste
89
appearance
87
finish
87
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairings

What to eat with ESB