Belk’s ESB vs. Hop Ottin’ IPA
THE BREWER’S CORNER
Articles and information from the AVBC brewers
by Brit Antrim, Former Head Brewer
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The Industrial Revolution brought us many great things, not the least of which was better beer. Using coke derived from coal, maltsters were able to make pale malt in addition to the dark, smoky malts made by burning wood. During the late 1700’s through the mid- 1800’s, many brewers found it profitable to ship beers made from these pale malts over seas to India. These India Pale Ales, as they became known, were very highly hopped to take advantage of the hop acid’s bacteriostatic properties, and fermented out to a greater degree than most beers of the time to leave less residual sugar that could be used by beer spoilage organisms during the long voyage to India. By the mid- 1800’s, with more advancements in technology, the market for pale ales in England began to grow. Soon, brewers dropped the word "India" from their pale ales and began tailoring those beers for the home market by lowering the hopping rate and slightly increasing the sweetness to provide a more balanced beer. The bottled version of this product retained the name "pale ale", while the draught version became known as "bitter." Within the "bitter" style there are three sub-styles based upon the beer’s Original Gravity: Ordinary Bitter, Best Bitter, and Extra Special (Strong) Bitter.
Here at Anderson Valley Brewing Company, we have put our own spin on these two historic beer styles. Our newest offering in the 12-ounce bottles is Belk’s Extra Special Bitter . You will find that our ESB is deep gold in color and has a delicate spicy hop aroma, which is well balanced by specially roasted malts. Belk’s is a medium-light bodied ale that starts with a big, malty backbone and finishes with a refreshingly bitter bite. This is not a beer for "Light Beer" drinkers, as Belk’s Extra Special Bitter is a very full flavored beer.
In Boontling , Hop Ottin’ means "hard working hops," and that is exactly what you will find in our Hop Ottin’ India Pale Ale . Just from the intense citrus and floral aroma of this pale gold colored ale, you will know that you have found a hop head’s dream come true. Lighter in body than Belk’s Extra Special Bitter, Hop Ottin’ is aggressively hopped and weighs in at 7.0% alcohol by volume. It is truly a beer to be reckoned with.
Dr. Ken Allen, AVBC Founder and Brew Master Emeritus, can often be seen with a small quantity of each beer in two glasses, to make sure the distinct differences between Belk’s ESB and Hop Ottin’ IPA are evident. "Belk’s ESB is a gastronomical experience in both malt sweetness and hop bitterness. They are in perfect balance and you can taste both extremes depending upon which one you are focusing on." The IPA, he goes on to explain, "is an experience in hop flavor, a very intense hop flavor when the beer is fresh, that mellows with time, as was the intention with IPAs when they were first developed in the eighteenth century."
So, which beer is better, ESB or IPA? Ultimately, the decision is yours. Next time you have the chance, try both beers side by side. Will you prefer the well balanced character of Belk’s Extra Special Bitter, or will you favor the assertive hop character of Hop Ottin’ India Pale Ale? As for me, right now I am enjoying a Belk’s.
Editor’s Note: Belks ESB is now Boont ESB