Despite what Looney Tunes would have you believe, anvils are more than heavy objects that land on Wile E. Coyote turning him into an accordion. Traditionally, these heavy blocks of steal are basic tools of blacksmiths giving them a solid surface upon which to forge metal. It is only logical then that a brewery operating under the name AleSmith use the anvil as a symbol of forging beer.
Anvil Ale ESB is AleSmith Brewing Co.’s take on the old English style extra special / strong bitter. Being located in the beer Mecca that is San Diego, the brewery couldn’t help but add a dash West Coast flair.
Appearance
Mahogany brown with a shade of coppery orange. The brew is bright and clear. Huge pillowy head stands at two and a half fingers. Retention is solid as is lacing.
Aroma
Bready, doughy, and biscuity upfront is reminiscent of your local bakery. Sweet notes of caramel and toffee play second fiddle. The back end reveals floral, fruity hop notes with a bit of yeast earthiness.
Taste
Earthy, piney, and slightly spicy hops hit the sides of the tongue but are quickly washed away by the sweetness of the malt bill. Fresh baked bread, caramel, and ever so subtle chocolate chip cookies balance the initial hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel
Medium bodied beer with a relatively high level of carbonation, perhaps a bit too high and takes away from the smoothness of an otherwise well crafted beer. Finish is dry with very little alcohol presence.
Drinkability
Bordering on overly bitter for the style, this beer represents a West Coast interpretation of the old English style. That being said, strong malt bill does a very good job balancing this beer and adding flavor complexities. A very quaffable beer at 5.5% ABV, this one is certainly worth a try. Overall grade for AleSmith Anvil ESB: B-
AleSmith Anvil ESB
Up next on Tuesday Tasting: Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Payback Porter