Hargreaves Hill ESB

On wandering into the rather excellent Sherlock Holmes on Collins St I must aver I felt a strong compunction to order something English.

Lucky then I was presented with this very good looking dark amber example of an easy drinking, suited-to-pub-rather-than-bottle ale. Paired with the Salad Nicoise this American Pale Ale did the trick nicely.

Wait, what?

But indeed, try as it might this never quite develops into a true ESB, remaining bitter in none bar the most literal sense of the word. A mystery to be sure.

The first clue appears in the nose of English or perhaps Australian hops, which exhibit unusual bitterness, walk with a slight limp, and may have been carrying a concealed malt. Perhaps in order to evade suspicion, the first taste was in line with the smell. Convenient.

Too convenient.

A rational mind would expect the suspect to warm and develop some character under interrogation but while a hint of biscuit starts to come through as it acclimatizes, it remains held in check by the hop bitterness.

All of which gives you the impression you've turned up at the local butcher's shop only to find him wearing a wrestling mask and serving strawberry shortcakes. The cakes are delicious, sure - but it's not really the prime rib you were after. 7.0