JDFlow

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I recently tried a Scotch Ale at a local pub that prides itself in providing quality beer, and before my first taste of that retched thing I would agree. Does anyone like this without forcing it down a few times?

thesmithsera

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Scotch ale is great but I think some are better then others.

ReverseApacheMaster

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What did you dislike about it?

schoellhorn82

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I love scotch ales. Only in the fall and winter though. I have had plenty of different breweries scotch ales and some are just ok and some are great. It may be an acquired taste for you though. You should try to brew one yourself after doing some research on that style. I hated Belgian ales until I researched, brewed, and drank other brewers. Now it is one of my favorites.

JDFlow

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I don't know much about the style. The one I had was definitely aged in oak. The smokey oak flavor and the malt sweetness made it way to rich. Me and my girlfriend shared the entire pint searching for positives but never really found any. Maybe I'll hit the bottle shop and grab some singles to see if I can find a better one.

hotspurdotus

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I would consider Scotch Ale to be an accessible style. Big, malty, slightly sweet; not a lot there that demands a highly developed palette. Either you just got a bad one or the style's not for you.

I love Scotch Ales, btw.

JonM

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Some are smoked, which I HATE. Others are not. The non-smoked Scottish ales are rich, malty, flavorful and quite sweet. Those I really like.

They also come in 30 Shilling, 60 Shilling, etc., each one getting stronger and more flavorful all the way up to Wee Heavy. Which did you try?

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JDFlow

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It may be a psychological thing. An apartment below mine burnt years ago and the smell it left in my apartment was on par with the taste of the beer.

NochEineMassBitte

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I think smoke and oak are WAY overdone in many commercial Scotch ales. The best ones I've tasted rely on subtle, if any, use of those flavor components. Good examples exist; you just have to keep trying until you find one you like. Unless you just don't care for the style...

Oddly enough, Old Chub from Oskar Blues has smoked malt in the grist, but for some reason it works for me.

I brewed a wee heavy last year that turned out fantastic. I bottled half of it with a good measure of Highland single malt whisky. Sadly, I just drank the last bottle over the weekend. Time to make more!

bobbafett

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I agree with the too much smoke, I only use .25# in a 10 gal batch, only a hint of smoke. I don't want to drink a pint of liquid smoke!