Luna Sea E.S.B.

Tasted midafternoon Sunday at the Reis' house before the super bowl (of which I didn't really have any interest in watching). This preceded a run with Tom to Old Capital Brewing Co. (Formally known as Great River).

Appearance: Deep clouded amber with coppered character. Relatively water like with no head to speak of and very little carbonation visible. Looks flat and uneventful. No lacing.

Aroma: Carameled and floral with a woodsy profile. Some spice at the finish. Sweet and barley smelling with nice undertones of biscuit malt and nutty with an earthy related hoppiness.
Taste: Sweet and toasted with caramel and toffee malt sweetnesss. The beer incorporates a crisp bitter spice against the medium hoppiness of the beer. Grassy and bitter with a rye character imparted to both flavor and body. The aftertaste is a meld of sweet malted barley and hops drawn long into the beginning of the next taste. Well balanced and complex but imparts an emphasized whole grain toastiness. Not really yeasty but some element of tannins in relation to the nut-husk and woodiness.
Mouthfeel: Light carbonation with a heavier body. Texture is wet and sticky. Still some spike of carbonation briefly on the top of the tongue.
Overall Impression: Smooth and drinkable. I like the finish with its spicy malt profile. More bitter than expected, but still maintains an element of drinkability. I'm not too familiar with this brewery, but I will surely give it another go. I think I still have a vanilla porter to try and a scotch ale.


82/100