Saltspring Island Ales – Extra Special Bitter

Rating

4.2 out of 5
Appearance
4 out of 5
Aroma
4.2 out of 5
Flavour
3.9 out of 5
Mouthfeel

Total

4.1
4.1 out of 5

Overview

2013_08_BMBC-7988

Saltspring Island Ales – Extra Special Bitter Review

The Saltspring Island Ales are an elusive bunch. Stepping foot off of Vancouver island these beers are harder to capture than a crisp photo of bigfoot. That said, I did manage to get my hands on the Saltspring Island Extra Special Bitter. This ESB pours with two fingers of head that leave a thick lacing on the glass.  The smell is crisp with citrus hops and a crisp malted flavour. The flavour starts off crisp with a stronger than average carbonation that builds into a malted, lightly hopped middle section with a unique sap-like flavour. This champagne-like ESB is traditional by UK standards but offers a unique experience by BC standards. As the taste progresses the whole-cone hops take over in a fairly bitter- hop forward finish that is joined by an orange peel flavour. The orange and hop bitterness work together making for a stronger than expected dry-bitter end.

Alcohol – 5%
Size – 650ml bottle
Price – $6.50 per bottle
Only available in select Cold Beer and Wine Locations
saltspringislandales.com

 

2013_08_BMBC-7990 2013_08_BMBC-7989

Categories: Beer Reviews, Top BC Beers

About Author

Dustan Sept

Dustan Sept is the founder of Beer Me BC. His passion for craft beer drove the creation of beermebc.com in 2012. To learn more about the beermebc.com editorial team visit beermebc.com/the-beer-me-bc-team/.

Comments

  1. mikescraftbeer
    mikescraftbeer 9 October, 2013, 21:14

    I have enjoyed this in the past but it has been some time since I have had it now. Darn hard to find!

    Reply this comment
  2. Bert
    Bert 9 May, 2014, 16:57

    This a great easy to drink beer. The hops lend it close to an IPA but within limits of a great ESB. Full body with an enjoyable malt aftertaste. I would recommend this beer to those that like a bit of bitter in there beverage.

    Reply this comment
  3. Anonymous
    Anonymous 24 May, 2018, 19:27

    Being an expat from the U.K. and living in Vancouver I am always looking for a quality Bitter, Saltspring is one of the best locally brewed I have had, I always find myself going back for more and I consider myself pretty picky, luckily they stock it at my local store.

    Reply this comment

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