Charlie Watts ESB

5-Gallon All-Grain Homebrew Recipe

THE CHARACTER

Charlie Watts — the unflappable man behind the bar. Cool, steady, never rushes, never rattles. Charlie has heard every story, poured every pint, and kept the pub running through it all. His ESB is the house beer — the one regulars order without even saying the name. Faithfully poured. Properly bitter. Every. Single. Time.

THE STYLE

Extra Special Bitter is the pinnacle of the English bitter family — a style that has been the backbone of British pub culture for over a century. Fuller's ESB, first brewed in 1969 at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, essentially created the ESB category and remains the definitive example. The style is characterized by a beautiful balance between biscuity English malt and earthy, floral English hops — neither dominates. The result is a supremely drinkable beer with enough character to reward attention but enough restraint to invite another pint. If the ESB is good, the pub is good.