Does anyone really like scottish ale?

[Evan!]

I disagree, slightly.

Walker's Gruagach 80/- recipe has a tiny bit of peat malt in it, which I think is exceptional. For some reason I have a hard time getting a smoke flavor out of the white labs scottish ale yeast, so I agree the recipe needed the peat malt to give it that authentic effect.

Is the White Labs not the best one to use when doing an authentic scottish ale? Does the Wyeast give a more smoky profile?

Otherwise, I love scottish ales. Old Chub is a nice example that we can get in the states, and in CANS. AWESOME!!!!

Word. That's the drink of choice when they say "no glass bottles allowed". :rockin: We were chillin on the grass down in Boone, NC right before their final home football game, and we couldn't bring glass, so we had a sixer of old chub. I was in the middle of the sixer when everyone says, "time to go into the game". Ouch. I wasn't about to waste some old chub, so I downed the bastards right quick. Best binge drinkin I ever done.

 

[srm775]

Unfortunately at some point in the past the BJCP guidelines noted a "smoky" flavour in scotch ales. This was interpreted by some that peat smoked malt (normally used for making scotch whiskey) was an acceptable ingredient. It is, however, NOT used by brewers of scottish ales in Scotland. When used it is frequently overdone. I have brewed Jamils recipe many times and it has no peated malt in it and there is a very faint smoky flavour that is barely noticeable, presumably coming from the roasted malts and likely apparent as there is no hop flavour/bitterness to mask it.

GT

If you read the BJCP guidelines for that style, it specifically mentiones that any smoked (or they use "earthy") should be entirely derived from the yeast, fermentation conditions (long and cold) and slightly from the darker grains. There should be no predominant smoked flavor and those that do, should fall under the smoked beers guidelines.

I to like scotch ales, but I hate the overdone smoked flavor you often get. It's like they fermented their beer in a dirty ashtray and it completely takes away from the malt flavor.

 

[olllllo]

I used to hate them because they reminded me of Scotch, which I also hated.

Now I love both.

Does anyone believe that addage that your tastes change every 7 years?

 

[rdwj]

You had the Belhaven Scottish Ale? I defy you to drink that and tell me you don't like it. If you do, well, I'd have to say that your taste buds are shot. No offense. :cross:

That one is awesome.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

You had the Belhaven Scottish Ale? I defy you to drink that and tell me you don't like it. If you do, well, I'd have to say that your taste buds are shot. No offense. :cross:

IMO, Belhaven's Wee Heavy is even better.

 

[TheJadedDog]

I am a big fan of Scottish ale but have found that for a lot of my friends it is an acquired taste. We're not used to malty beers in the States and the latest trends have all been towards more hops, not less.

Scottish ale is really a part of the British Isles tradition of brewing and as such relies on a very different flavor than what we Americans are subjected to.

 

[PseudoChef]

You had the Belhaven Scottish Ale? I defy you to drink that and tell me you don't like it. If you do, well, I'd have to say that your taste buds are shot. No offense. :cross:

This has been the only Scottish Ale I've had. I left a third of the pint at the bar. Tasted like the final 1.010 runnings when I sparge. Nasty.

 

[rdwj]

IMO, Belhaven's Wee Heavy is even better.

Yes, that is one of my favorite commercial beers - just excellent

 

[shunoshi]

The first Scotch Ale I ever tried was unfortunately Sam Adams Scotch Ale. I hated it. Luckily this style of beer was rescued by my Secret Santa this year and after trying Highland Brewing's Tasgall Ale I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty Scotch Ale can be. It's really too bad they don't distribute to MN.

 

[FatMonsters]

I love the scottish ales. If you like hoppy beers, then scottish ales aren't for you. I like the ones that DO NOT have peat malt in them. I recently tried Saranac's Scotch ale and I think there is peat in it b/c it had that taste and stayed with every sip.

Others I have tried that are really good are: Belhaven Scottish Ale, Belhaven Wee Heavy, McEwans (My favorite) and Traquair House.

Traquair House - Now there is a malt bomb of a beer if I have ever had one. That sucker is malty and head drops to a thin lacing immediately!

 

[EdWort]

Since joining BJCP, I have found a new understanding of what used to be beers I disliked. Scotch Ales & Belgian Wits are two of them.

Once understanding what they are supposed to taste like, the ingredients that go into them, and how they are made, I now can drink one with the proper level of expectation and enjoy it.

I used to hate Wits because I was always expecting a Bavarian Hefe, thus it was a disappointing beer. Now I understand the difference between the two and now enjoy both (though Bavarian Hefe's are my favorite).

Studying for the BJCP exam has definitely broadened my horizons on beers that I normally would not even bother to try.

 

[Alamo_Beer]

Yup, tried it and didn't like it. It was however about a year ago so I'd be willing to give it or other brands a try. I'll hit up the bottle shop on Friday!

 

[sAvAgE]

Ey Laddie

Cant we settle this ou'r a pint?

A Scots Ale will put hair on yer chest laddie!

:rockin:

 

[EdWort]

Ey Laddie

Cant we settle this ou'r a pint?

A Scots Ale will put hair on yer chest laddie!

:rockin:

Ya, you betcha. Look what [SIZE=-1]McEwan's[/SIZE] did to this guy after 1 bottle.

 

[razyrsharpe]

i love scottish ales...the beer i have more trouble drinking consecutive bottles of is an IPA. that being said, i well conditioned IPA is different, and more palatable than a green one.

 

[TheCrane]

I tried Orkney's skull splitter for the first time two weeks ago. My primary room is now 10 degrees colder and full of wee heavy. I think what I like most about this style is the focus on delicate nuances in the malt profile. Huge late hop additions can cover up an awful lot. I really wanted to taste that big bag of Maris Otter I got for Christmas and this seems like the way to do it.

 

[3foot1]

Scotch ales are about the only beer I really enjoy, except for bocks. Yeah, I love malt and hate hops.... For me, McEwan's is #1, Belhaven Wee Heavy #2, Old Chubb #3, and Dirty Bastard #4. I hate that they're so hard to find in the U.S., which suggests I should become a home brewer.

Recently, though, I discovered Baladin Nora, which is an Italian homage to Ethiopian spice beer. This may supplant McEwan's at the top of my list, except for the fact that it's impossible to find anywhere.

 

[DuncB]

I've got a Stewarts 80 shilling ale clone on tap at the moment.

 

[pinemarten]

I like the flavor of versions over 5% ABV. Especially on beer gas.

 

[BadKarma]

I like Scottish Ales. The only ones I'm not fond of (I never say I hate a beer) are Wheats and Stella!!!

The first brew in the new brewery is gonna be Scottish!!!

 

[bwible]

Scottish Ales and Scotch ale are 2 different animals. Scottish ales are weaker and are akin to the British bitter family. Scottish 60, 70, and 80 shilling I think they call them are akin to British ordinary and special/best bitters. Scotch ales (Wee Heavy) are much stronger, they kind of fit between old ale and barleywine,

Peat is an organic fuel source. Yes, its decaying matter dug out of a bog or swamp. And you can’t make scotch whisky without it. Its burned for heat usually to dry and kiln grain. Its not supposed to be used in any kind of Scottish or Scotch ales, though I’m sure some do.

I like Wee Heavy and all the Scottish ales - and I love Islay Scotch whisky - the ones with alot of smoke. I’m talking Ardbeg or Laphroaig. I always liked scotch - from the first time I ever tried it. I know some say its an acquired taste. Never was for me. There are different regions of Scotland where different kinds of scotch whisky come from. Islay is the smokiest and peatiest. If you want less peat try Speyside brands.

 

[bwible]

https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-infinity-bottle-blend-became-whiskey-nerd-obsession/

I keep an infinity bottle for scotch whisky.