Scottish & Other Ales

[Sir William Marcus]

Anyone have a favorite?

Now, there are quite a few that make it in our icebox although I must admit that our most popular one here at the fortress has to be "Skull Splitter".  

Sweet and malty up front with candy sugar. Very similar to a Belgian Quad but minus all the alcohol, although some alcohol does come out as the beer warms up. A little bit of earthiness and smoke follows the maltiness. Finishing up with brown bread and semi-sweet cocoa powder. Almost no hop characteristics in the nose.  8.5% ABV

Are there any others that favor this brew of the Gods?  



Below are a few other excellent Scottish Ales that are personally preferred.  Perhaps one of them is your favorite as well.








Black Douglas is a dark ruby coloured ale with a rich full bodied malt flavour and overtones of roast fruit.

At an ABV of 5.2%, we believe this beer is a fitting tribute to the power and character of the great Knight









McEwan's Scotch Ale pours to a very deep, almost black, dark brown with just the slightest hint of crimson red and a foamy, off-white head that is quite short lived but leaves a wispy trace all the way down the glass.

The aroma is of deep malt with strong alcohol evidence but, as this is a very complex beer there are a vast array of different aromas all contesting for dominance; woody, smoky and hoppy - vine fruit is noticable with a lot of plums and molasses, but overall having the sensation of a sweet malty beer.

It's not as heavy as you would expect from such a full bodied offering. The mouth feel is soft, smooth as satin and foamy with a slight carbonation. Very rich and predominantly malty with a touch of caramel, and a rich soft fruitiness. A little chocolate, some molasses, butterscotch.

There is also a sherry-like flavour to this brew, perhaps that is because of the substantial alcohol content - 8% ABV.





Traquair House Ale (ABV 7.2%) is a, "Serious winter ale, a deep reddish – golden colour with an strong, earthy flavour, described as a, "World classic." It has consistently been a gold medal performer during the World Beer Championships over many years.




Old Chub is from a U.S micro brewery out of Lyons Colorado and without a doubt is the best Scottish Ale you will EVER drink out of a can.

The cola-colored beer (almost black) features a tan head, a creamy, skim-milk mouthfeel, and rich, semi-sweet flavors of caramel and chocolate throughout. The addition of smoked grains gives Old Chub a delicate kiss of smoke on the finish.  Old Chub is excellent at 8% alcohol by volume.





Belhavens Wee Heavy Scottish Ale. A delightful combination of scents and flavors that makes it a pleasure to drink.  What I love about the beer is that is so well balanced with it's malty caramel sweetness and a background of not overly bitter hops. This makes the beer incredibly drinkable.  Also, the 6.5% ABV isn't noticeable in the taste.  Be aware!



Last but not least Three Floyds "Robert The Bruce" Scottish Ale.  Another exceptional U.S micro brew thats actually brewed here in my kingdom of Indiana. A big malty body from chocolate and roasted malts, well balanced with just the right combination of hops. Robust yet smooth, a true malt-lover's delight. 7.2% ABV



Thirsty yet?

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

There is another Belhaven that i've had a time or two... i think it's called St. Andrew's.  Correct me if i'm wrong...

[Sir William Marcus]

You're correct!  St. Andrews is Belhavens official brew of golf.

[Capt Robertsgrave Thighbiter]

I've had the McEwans - not bad at all.

[bellevivre]

mmmm... McEwans!!!

I'll admit, I am a big fan of the ciders, and when we were there this spring I seemed to always be next to the Blackthorn! BUT I also grew quite fond of Old Speckled Hen (though I'll admit I'm not certain if that's Scottish or English...)

[renren]

Yum, they look delish!
I love hard ciders.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Sam Adams makes a passable Scottish Ale... nice smokey, peaty flavor.

[MacKee]

McEwans 

Had the Sam also 

I had some nasty stuff over seas once, like motor oil. I don't remember the name. I met up with some scots on vacation in Villafrance...of all places...to pub crawl I mean. 

[RenRobin]

I absolutly love Wee Heavy!  Yum!!!

[Sir William Marcus]

If one can find McEwan's Scotch Ale best buy all you can because they are vanishing

However, they shall return.  The reason being is that everywhere eles in the world McEwan's bottles are 11.2oz for the exception of the U.S where they are 12oz. They conducted a census/inventory in the U.S to determine how long it would it would take to sell the remainder of all the 12oz bottles in the U.S market and came out to about two years.  I know its been about a year so far since I had my paws on one.

Then hopefully we should start to see the reintroduction of the McEwan's Scotch Ale in the 11.2oz bottles.

Thank goodness!

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

I wondered why i hadn't seen McEwans recently...

[Robert Phoenix]

Wow another fan of Skullsplitter.  I've just finished off my last bottle so its time for another trip to Duluth, MN or eagle River, WI to pick up some. About two hours either way but its worth it.  If you like that you might want to try some Finnegans Irish Amber.  (made from potatoes!)
You are going to have to go to MN to get it though. 
http://www.finnegans.org/


Check out the commercails on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FinnegansIrishAmber

I do believe Spechers? makes a Pipers ale.  I tried it at Milwaukee Irishfest last year but as I recall I really didn't care for it. 

[mehan]

Had the occasion to sit in a pub last weekend that has 72 beers on tap and 275 in bottles.   I had seen old chub in the store and had read this thread - but sometimes it takes a 2 x 4 to my head to get me to sit up and take notice.  At the bartender's suggestion (I like porters  and stouts but was trying to keep the ABV low so I could enjoy more) I had an old chub - WOW..... exactly like you said - the best beer out of a can - ever.  At 8% its still a little high for me - but it definitely has a place in our beer fridge now.

Hubby was able to indulge his passion for a skullsplitter - but shamefully, even with all that selection they didn't have the Wee Heavy... sigh....  Thanks for the treads and in incentive to go in search of

[Sir William Marcus]

Wow another fan of Skullsplitter.

To the Earl of Orkney!

You might want to try some Finnegans Irish Amber.  (made from potatoes!)
You are going to have to go to MN to get it though. 

Now, I can't recall ever sampling a Finnegans.  As for getting my hands on one you can have it actually delivered to your door nowadays. For Finnegans I can use  France 44.com for home delivery. You could even have Skullsplitter delivered to your door and save yourself a little roadtrip and maybe a little $$ . 

For the most part we have to mail order our OldChub.  We order it by the cases in the Spring and Fall from HiTimeWine out of California. Keep in mind shipping can be somewhat brutal, although for us extremely justified   

Its also best to order in the cooler months not to have your shipment sitting in extreme heat for prolong times.

Had the occasion to sit in a pub last weekend that has 72 beers on tap and 275 in bottles.  ) I had an old chub - WOW..... exactly like you said - the best beer out of a can - ever.  At 8% its still a little high for me - but it definitely has a place in our beer fridge now.

Outstanding!   I'm so glad you enjoyed it! As I mentioned above we're unable to get it locally and have to have it shipped out to us. We enjoy it that much!

Hubby was able to indulge his passion for a skullsplitter - but shamefully, even with all that selection they didn't have the Wee Heavy... sigh....  Thanks for the treads and in incentive to go in search of

Huzzah to another loyal subject of the Earl of Orkney!   As for the Pub. 72 brews on tap and 275 bottled varieties and no Wee Heavy!?..EGADS!  Perhaps, due to demand they were just temporarily out of stock 

[Noble Dreg]

I prefer Bud Light.