Beer-a-Day #169
This English-style ale is brewed with Marris Otter and Caramel malts for a rich, reddish-copper color and smooth maly palate. The use of bittering & aroma addition hops balances the regal, sweet maltiness and imparts a softly perfumed aroma.
ESB is one of my favorite styles, and I’ve always had a weakness for redheads.
A lovely medium-dark amber with a beige head. Caramel malty goodness in the aroma. Nicely balanced with a just-right body. This is good stuff.
On my recent trip to Austin Texas I saw the Widmer Hefeweizen on tap which I know I’ve had before but it was so long ago that I don’t even remember it. I reviewed the Widmer Drifter back in January and really loved it so I just had to try a tall glass of the Hefeweizen. I’m glad I did. It was great – it was a bright golden yellow with a thick chill haze. The citrus hop and yeast aroma was delightful and the taste that followed was refreshing and well balanced. One of the best wheat beers I’ve ever had.
I recalled that distribution of Widmer to the northeastern U.S. was very spotty, even though I was told otherwise, but I was in for a pleasant surprise when I returned home. When I took a trip to restock my beer from my local candy store I found new candy. Widmer’s Drifter, Hefeweizen, and Top Dog Amber were sitting the shelf. They were also reasonably priced.
I grabbed the Drifter (my new “go to”) and the amber which I found to be very nice, just not my favorite style. I’ve already gone back for more of the Hefeweizen (which they have carried in the past, by the way) because it is such a great summer beer.
Now if I could only get my hands on their Broken Halo IPA…
