Diving into English Ales: Discovering the unique flavors of the English Pale Ale and the ESB
Join us on a journey into the world of craft beer as we explore the subtle yet distinct differences between two iconic English classics: The English Pale Ale and the ESB. We invite you to expand your drinking experience with us by tasting the Quarry No.9 Pale Ale and the Bull Kelp ESB side by side as we delve into their history, recipes, and flavor profiles.
The English Pale Ale, dating back to the 18th century, emerged with the advent of lighter malt roasting, marking a shift from the darker, murkier beers common before this period. Its modern counterpart, the Extra Special Bitter, which is a term coined in the late 20th century, evolved as a stronger, more premium variant of standard bitters — an evolution within the pale ale category.
The Quarry No. 9 Pale Ale is a classic style characterized by a balanced profile of malt and hops, with neither dominating the palate. This style often showcases traditional English hops, such as East Kent Golding, renowned for their mild and gently aromatic qualities, contributing to the beer's floral and earthy notes. The malt bill, featuring Marris Otter and Crystal Dark malts, provides a robust yet smooth backdrop, offering flavors of biscuit, caramel, and a hint of nuttiness. This combination results in a beer that is both flavorful and easy to drink, with a moderate bitterness and a clean finish.
On the other hand, the Bull Kelp ESB ramps up the complexity with a more rich and robust malt profile. This is often achieved by using slightly darker or more caramel malts, such as adding Amber, Crystal Light, and Crystal Medium malts. These malts produce a deeper caramel sweetness, with toasty and fruity notes, leading to a more pronounced and lingering bitterness than its Pale Ale cousin. Adding Northern Brewer hops alongside East Kent Golding introduces a more pronounced hop character, with hints of wood and mint.
Side-by-side tasting highlights their unique characters. English Pale Ales are lighter in body and color, with a balanced malt sweetness and hop bitterness. They often carry subtle notes of biscuit, nuts, and a gentle floral hop aroma. ESBs, in contrast, have a more pronounced malt character with flavors of caramel and toffee and a richer fruitiness. Though still balanced by the malt, the hop bitterness is more assertive in ESBs and can have a more pronounced earthy, herbal quality. Both styles, however, maintain a quintessentially English trait – a restrained, elegant balance that makes them both highly drinkable and distinctively different.
While the English Pale Ale and the ESB share a common heritage, their differences lie in the balance and intensity of flavors. The Quarry No. 9 Pale Ale is a testament to subtlety and balance, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate a beer that is both flavorful and approachable. The Bull Kelp ESB, with its bolder hop profile and complex malts, caters to those seeking a more robust and nuanced experience. Both styles, however, celebrate the rich tradition of English brewing, each in its unique way.
