Beer
Athletic ESB
82/100 How we score
- ABV <0.5%
- Classification Naturally low alcohol
- Evidence Documented
- Origin United States
- Price Under $20
Verdict
Athletic's limited-release take on the English bitter — smooth, balanced, and the style's caramel-malt character carried honestly into zero proof.
At a glance
- Flavor profile
- Malt
- Hops
- Structure
- Off-dry
- Modest bitterness
- Short finish
- Perfect for
- The beer drinker who wants something English, sessionable, and serious about style.
Tasting notes
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01
Nose
Caramel malt and a gentle English hop note — the ESB signature, subdued rather than loud.
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02
Palate
Smooth and balanced; the malt sweetness and hop bitterness in proper ESB proportion, with a clean body.
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03
Finish
malty and clean, the bitterness lingering politely. Athletic's limited-release take on the English bitter — smooth, balanced, and the style's caramel-malt character carried honest….
The beer
Athletic ESB is brewed or fermented to finish at low ABV without a published removal step from Milford, Connecticut, United States. Athletic’s process is proprietary, but founder interviews state it is neither dealcoholization of finished beer nor simple arrested fermentation — the beers are built as NA from the start.
On the nose, Caramel malt and a gentle English hop note — the ESB signature, subdued rather than loud. On the palate, Smooth and balanced; the malt sweetness and hop bitterness in proper ESB proportion, with a clean body. The finish is malty and clean, the bitterness lingering politely. Athletic’s limited-release take on the English bitter — smooth, balanced, and the style’s caramel-malt character carried honest….
Serve cold, in a pint glass.
How to drink it
Cold, in a pint glass.
How it was made
Classification: Naturally low alcohol — Athletic's process is proprietary, but founder interviews state it is neither dealcoholization of finished beer nor simple arrested fermentation — the beers are built as NA from the start.
Evidence status: Documented
Sources
Product facts are only as strong as their sources. Editorial tasting notes are opinion.
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82/100 How we score