Ola Dubh, Harviestoun Brewery, Old Ale, 8.0% - A world-class beer. Old Ale (think malty, dark fruit flavors, often some complex sweetness) aged in a Highland Park 12 scotch barrel. The hints of scotch mostly slide in at the end, with a finish that suggests scotch and oak. Perfect beer to sip after a big hearty meal, fireside. One of my favorites in this style.
Traquiar House Ale, Traquiar House, Scotch Wee Heavy, 7.2% - Another world-class, OMG Beer! favorite. Fermented in oak, just like the original version of this Scotch ale from the early 1800s. Very roasted malt, butterscotch, bitter chocolate, and some dark fruit, maybe plums and raisins. Super smooth, another sipper.
Showing posts with label Scotch Ale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotch Ale. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Quest for Beervana, 2010 #4 - Notes of Two Recent Brews
Traquair House Ale
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 7.2%
Serving Glass: Pint Glass
OMG Beer Rating: 9.0
Brown, with red highlights, a light white head that faded quickly, not a lot of bubbles.
Smells of: chocolate, toffee, maybe even butterscotch, hint of apple or pear.
Taste: leans sweet, smooth and creamy, with a hint of the butterscotch. Alcohol warmth as you finish the sip. A fruitiness lingers in the aftertaste, as does some of the chocolate.
Mouthfeel: full bodied and low carbonation keep it smooth, and it almost coats your tongue as you finish each sip.
Modus Hoperandi IPA
Ska Brewing, can
Orange-red in color, nice fluffy off-white inch ior more head that sticks to the glass
Aroma is hops forward, pine and grapefruit, with a hint of a malt body
Taste: hops, very light malty structure to the flavor, but really just accentuates the hops with a touch of sweetness on the tongue, which fades to bitterness
Mouthfeel: really great. Its light, but not in a flavorless way, more in a surprisingly smooth, creamy way.
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 7.2%
Serving Glass: Pint Glass
OMG Beer Rating: 9.0
Brown, with red highlights, a light white head that faded quickly, not a lot of bubbles.
Smells of: chocolate, toffee, maybe even butterscotch, hint of apple or pear.
Taste: leans sweet, smooth and creamy, with a hint of the butterscotch. Alcohol warmth as you finish the sip. A fruitiness lingers in the aftertaste, as does some of the chocolate.
Mouthfeel: full bodied and low carbonation keep it smooth, and it almost coats your tongue as you finish each sip.
Modus Hoperandi IPA
Ska Brewing, can
Orange-red in color, nice fluffy off-white inch ior more head that sticks to the glass
Aroma is hops forward, pine and grapefruit, with a hint of a malt body
Taste: hops, very light malty structure to the flavor, but really just accentuates the hops with a touch of sweetness on the tongue, which fades to bitterness
Mouthfeel: really great. Its light, but not in a flavorless way, more in a surprisingly smooth, creamy way.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Founders Brewing Co. - Dirty Bastard Scotch Style Ale
Brewery: Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Name:Dirty Bastard Scotch-Style Ale
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 8.5%
Bitterness: 50 IBUs
Dirty Bastard calls itself a Scotch-style Ale, which means it aims to be the strongest level of beer originating in Scotland, a Scotch Ale or Wee Heavy. The Scottish take drinking very seriously, as any single malt scotch drinker will tell you. Dirty Bastard (we at OMG Beer! admit a bias toward beers with bastard in the name) pours a deep garnet, with a creamy tan head reminiscent of cappucino foam. The aroma lacks much of a hop presence, instead evoking toffee, caramel, bittersweet chocolate, and perhaps even almonds and other nuts. There's not a big roasted aroma, like a stout, but beyond chocolate, alcohol, and a nice malty sweetness, there's definitely roasted barley in the flavor, and a hint of smokiness that probably comes from one of the "seven imported malts" Founders use to concoct this brew. It has to be emphasized though, just how subtle that smoky/peaty flavor is. Just right.
In many ways this is the Scotch cousin to a Russian imperial stout, with hops used to keep the beer balanced or even bittersweet like its accompanying chocolate and coffee flavors, but not flowery or citrusy. There's a big dessert/apertif angle to the flavors and alcohol strength. The beer itself isn't too heavy, but you certainly aren't going to drink a lot when it comes in at 8.5% ABV. Excellent after dinner beer, and excellent winter one as well.
Name:Dirty Bastard Scotch-Style Ale
Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 8.5%
Bitterness: 50 IBUs
Dirty Bastard calls itself a Scotch-style Ale, which means it aims to be the strongest level of beer originating in Scotland, a Scotch Ale or Wee Heavy. The Scottish take drinking very seriously, as any single malt scotch drinker will tell you. Dirty Bastard (we at OMG Beer! admit a bias toward beers with bastard in the name) pours a deep garnet, with a creamy tan head reminiscent of cappucino foam. The aroma lacks much of a hop presence, instead evoking toffee, caramel, bittersweet chocolate, and perhaps even almonds and other nuts. There's not a big roasted aroma, like a stout, but beyond chocolate, alcohol, and a nice malty sweetness, there's definitely roasted barley in the flavor, and a hint of smokiness that probably comes from one of the "seven imported malts" Founders use to concoct this brew. It has to be emphasized though, just how subtle that smoky/peaty flavor is. Just right.
In many ways this is the Scotch cousin to a Russian imperial stout, with hops used to keep the beer balanced or even bittersweet like its accompanying chocolate and coffee flavors, but not flowery or citrusy. There's a big dessert/apertif angle to the flavors and alcohol strength. The beer itself isn't too heavy, but you certainly aren't going to drink a lot when it comes in at 8.5% ABV. Excellent after dinner beer, and excellent winter one as well.
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