Extra Special Bitter

Extra Special Bitter is a style of beer that I don't particularly care for. In most cases, it seems like the ESB label is a license for brewers to pack a ton of bitter hops into a darker beer without bothering with any of the things that make an IPA tolerable. There's usually no citrusy sweet crispness, just dry hops and hearty grains. The ESBs that I do like tend to be those that back a little mildly toasted malt into the mix. Anything you can do to tone down the hops is greatly appreciated. I'm torn on where exactly New Belgium's 2° Below falls...

Left Hand's Sawtooth Ale is a beer I'd seen at the liquor store a couple of times but I'd never thought to pick any up because Sawtooth Ale isn't a terribly descriptive name and the packaging makes virtually no mention of the style. I tend not to bother with beers which are stylistically unidentifiable after you take a good look at the packaging... just as a matter of principle. Anyways, after reading the fine print on the bottom of the six pack box, it turns out the Sawtooth Ale is a English style Bitter. Bitters aren't the style of beer I'd normally seek out in early June, but since it was rainy and a bit cold I figured it might warm things up a bit. This bitter hit the spot, it was really well balanced and easy to drink. It was creamy and smooth, but perhaps too smooth. It came off a bit watery, this was quite noticeable once I got past the halfway point. Nevertheless, the Sawtooth Ale was pretty good. It was a pleasant drink. It was sweet, bready and a bit hoppy. If only they could get that wateriness taken care of...