From Black kettle Brewing Company out of North Vancouver comes their “Scottish Ale”. The beer pours a deep brown with a brown head. The aroma consists of caramel, toffee, sweetness and earth. The flavour is of caramel, toffee, earth, sweetness, some toasted malts but overall a mild flavour. The alcohol content comes in at 5.2% with an IBU of 20. This is a pretty good representation of a style I find a bit to sweet most of the time.
From Vancouver BC’s R&B Brewing comes the “Auld Nick Winter Ale” a Scottish Wee Heavy Ale. The beer pours a deep brown colour with a tan head. The aroma consists of toffee, molasses, brown sugar and some roasted malts. The flavour is of toffee, molasses, earth, chocolate and dark fruits. The alcohol content comes in at 6.5% with an IBU of 18. This beer sits a little more on the sweet side which is quite fitting for a winter seasonal beer. I will be looking for a few more bottles of this before the weather gets warm again.
Commercial Description: A “Scottish Wee Heavy”. The Auld Nick is not your usual spicy Winter Ale. There are no spices in it. It is a sweet, full bodied English strong ale made using specialty malted grains and traditional hops of East Kent. A truly complex but surprisingly smooth beer.
From the Isle of Skye Brewing Co in Scotland comes their “Skye Black” a scottish ale. The beer pours a deep brown with ruby tinges and a tan head. The aroma is of roasty malts, coffee, sweetness and a hint of earth. The flavour is of burnt malts, coffee, chocolate, mild ash, some fruit notes, honey and a hint of bitterness. The alcohol content comes in at 4.5% with an IBU of 18. This was a very enjoyable beer and I was glad my Mom brought it back for the UK.
Commercial Description: The colour comes from dark roasted barley, balanced with just the right amount of sweet, rolled oatmeal. We mill both right here in the brewery, giving us complete control over flavour and freshness. The true taste of malt shines through, balanced by the sweetness of pure Scottish heather honey.
Food pairing as per brewery: Smoked Meats, Venison, Game, Oysters, Mussels, Chocolate/Coffee Desserts; Cheese – Soft, Creamy, Crowdie, Brie
Black Note Book Series (Re-brand of Limited Release program)
From Granville Island Brewing out of Vancouver comes their new “Auld Skool Scottish Ale” the newest addition of the Black Note Book Series form Granville Island’s Vern Lambourne. This Scottish Ale pours a deep ruby/brown colour with an off white head. The aroma consists of malts, caramel and floral hops. The flavour is of malts, caramel, roasted coffee, dark fruits, spices, earthy and some mild hops bitterness. The alcohol content comes in at 6.25% with an IBU of 20. The sweetness of the malts goes well with the caramel in this beer and makes for a well balanced Scottish Ale. Vern you have done a great job again!
Commercial Description: With a robust blend of big malts, this traditional ale will have you kickin’ it in a kilt before you can say, “Who’s your laddie?”
Food pairing as per the brewery: Its roasted and caramel malts pair perfectly with grilled, braised or roasted meats. Or you could always just enjoy it with some haggis.
From Estacada, Oregon’s Fearless Brewing comes their “Scottish Ale”. The beer pours from the tall can a copper colour with a creamy white head. The aroma is of sweet fruity citrus and some malts. The flavour consists of sweet fruits, citrus, caramel, brown sugar and some mild hops bitterness. The alcohol content of this brew is 5.3%. This is a sweet Scottish ale but a very tasty one for sure! If you see a can of this in your local store pick it up! Also if you see it in store in Canada send me a message because I would love to get more!
Mike's Craft Beer 