ESBs
On CBR 146 Greg seemed to subtract some points from the Dragonmead ESB, ranking it last, because in his words, "I'm sorry, you're not an ESB!... Fullers defines ESBs."
Just wanted to point out that per the BJCP Style Guidelines, Fullers ESB is actually the exception rather than the defining rule of the style. It says: "Fuller’s ESB is a unique beer with a very large, complex malt profile not found in other examples; most strong bitters are fruitier and hoppier."
The other recognized guide of beer styles from the Brewers Association also makes note of the bitter fruity component of the style.
Greg certainly entitled to rank the Dragonmead any way he wants (seems it was kinda crappy because both ranked it last), but in the name of edjumacation, I just wanted to throw that out there (for whatever it's worth) there are a range of ESBs with most leaning toward a hoppier "Pale Ale" profile instead of a complex malty "English Brown Ale" type profile.
BTW, I happen to agree with him that Fullers ESB is a great beer and I too love maltier examples of the ESB style. Looking forward to an all ESB show.
Cheers,
-BW
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But... but...
Greg is right! Fullers DOES define ESBs. They didn't exist before Fullers made one. They have the trademark on the style (possibly British only - too lazy to look it up), and while I think that's generally a bad thing, I can't see why it's an issue when the style/term didn't exist before. The BJCP style guidelines are evolutionary by design. They reflect "what's being made out there". If the BJCP style has moved away from Fullers ESB being the archetype, then that just means way more brewers now brew ESBs "out of style" than trying to conform to the original. There's nothing wrong with that, but who is to say which definition Greg was comparing against?
who is to say?
I guess Greg... or Greig. (-:
Point taken.
I guess it just seemed like Greg was more opposed to the beer calling itself an ESB than how the beer actually tasted.
-BW
Busted!
It's true. I am Greg's non-contrarian-blowhard kiwi alter-ego. Don't tell anyone, OK? ;)
ESBs!
Thanks for the defense, Greig :) I guess that my understanding of ESBs was off slightly if Fullers is not considered the bellweather for ESBs, but as Greig points out, it pretty much is. It's certainly what I expect when I'm going in for an ESB. And the best ESBs I have had have tried mightily to live p to Fullers, while perhaps throwing in a few twists and turns along the way. They didn't taste like entirely different styles.