Fuller’s Launches ESB

In 1971, Fuller, Smith & Turner launched ESB at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London. The beer developed from an earlier seasonal strong ale and replaced Old Burton Extra in the brewery’s range. Its initials stood for Extra Special Bitter, distinguishing it from Fuller’s lower-strength bitters while retaining the malt character, hop bitterness, and cask-conditioned presentation associated with British pale ale. Fuller’s ESB became one of the most influential strong bitters and helped turn ESB into a widely recognized beer-style designation. Its success was reinforced by major awards from the Campaign for Real Ale, including multiple Champion Beer of Britain victories. Brewers outside Britain later adopted the initials for their own strong interpretations of English bitter, sometimes treating ESB as a broader style rather than Fuller’s original brand name.