Beer: Thames Welsh ESBBrewery: Felinfoel Brewery Company, Ltd., Llanelli, Wales, United Kingdom
ABV: 6%
Style: Extra Special Bitter
Sample Medium: Bottle
Size: 16.9 oz
Impression: I truly enjoyed this ale for everything an ESB should be: light, smooth, refreshing and crisp. The color was somewhat darker than I anticipated reflecting back at me a reddish copper. I only detect a mild malt flavor, but the mouth feel was full and pleasant. There wasn’t much in the way of carbonation and it required a vigorous pour to froth up a worthy head. I was somewhat dismayed to then promptly watch it dissipate. Overall Thames delivered a tidy little libation that provided needed refreshment on a warm summer day. The flavors were agreeable while in my mouth, but the finish did pack a zippy little tang that seemed almost out of place. It was not so pronounced that it made the ale seem unbalanced, but I don’t think it was better for it either. Given that the label boasts this ESB has been created for the connoisseur it could deliver a bit more. On balance I don’t think it quite stacks up to Fullers ESB which offers a more well balanced and perhaps even a true reflection of the ESB style. I will say that for ESB lovers it offers a reasonable option to mix up the standard selection. Overall I guess I would rate this somewhere in the neighborhood of a “B” which means I will reach for a Fullers instead.
