Durham Extra Special Bitter

[G.M. Gillman]

This is one of our best beers, with a quintessentially English ale taste (fruity, rounded, slightly sweet).

Most of the time I see it it is served on nitro dispense. I wish it was available more on regular draft or of course cask, as I find the nitro just does something to it, the taste is fine but the texture doesn't hit me right.

I heard that the same beer is available at Dora Keough's on cask and this should present it to perfection. Will stop by soon to sample it there.

Gary

[The_Jester]

It has been available for quite some time on cask in Peterborough at the Ritz Deli North. And it is, as you describe, sir, absolutely brilliant. It is so simple, and yet so appealing. Much like Denison's Weiss, it doesn't have any flavours that are out of the ordinary; it is just perfectly constructed.

[G.M. Gillman]

Well put: indeed many fine beers qualify under your definition of flavours known yet perfectly constructed. Pilsner Urquell is another example. Inherent in the concept is consistency, and all these beers have them.

Gary

[SteelbackGuy]

I've always enjoyed this beer. I find it from time to time at shelves at TBS, and it is always close to choice #1 if I do find it.

[velovampire]

I've always enjoyed this beer. I find it from time to time at shelves at TBS, and it is always close to choice #1 if I do find it.

Steel, I think you mean the Signature Ale. Different beer. AFAIK, the ESB has never been bottled. Signature's quite good, though.

[SteelbackGuy]

I've always enjoyed this beer. I find it from time to time at shelves at TBS, and it is always close to choice #1 if I do find it.

Steel, I think you mean the Signature Ale. Different beer. AFAIK, the ESB has never been bottled. Signature's quite good, though.

Yep, that is the one. For some reason I thought it was Signature ESB or some such thing. But still a great beer. Like most from Durham.

[G.M. Gillman]

I had this finally at Dora Keough's (i.e., cask-conditioned) and was much impressed. This is a letter-perfect English-style real ale, better in fact than many English-brewed real ales I have had in my day. Fruity, rich, and just, well, English. You know it when you taste it. With the Goldings-driven Granite IPA, my favourite real ale locally available at the moment.

Gary

[seanm]

Does anybody know if this is available in Ottawa?

[Bobsy]

Does anybody know if this is available in Ottawa?

I`m pretty sure that distribution of Durham products is limited to the GTA, so you might be out of luck.

[inertiaboy]

Does anybody know if this is available in Ottawa?

I've never seen Durham County products in Ottawa. If anyone would try to get it, it would be someone like the Wellington Gastropub - that's the only place I've seen "rarities" from that part of the province (e.g. Grand River Highballer).

[SteelbackGuy]

I'm in Ottawa fairly often and I've never seen any Durham stuff there.

But like inertia says, the Welly might get something like that. That said, you don't need many reasons to go to the Welly. Great food and always micro beer only.

[The_Jester]

They don't seem to have a website, but you could try this: (905) 686-3022.

[Bobsy]

Durham's a one man operation, so it surprises me that he gets out as much beer as he does. Also the best brewery in the province as far as I'm concerned.

[midlife crisis]

Agreed. Consistently outstanding.

[Belgian]

Fruity, rich, and just, well, English.

Like Uncle Monty in WITHNAIL AND I?