Casta Morena (Dark Ale)
Especialidades Cerveceras S.A. de C.V.

Casta Morena (Dark Ale)Casta Morena (Dark Ale)
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Especialidades Cerveceras S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
Style:
Scottish Ale
ABV:
6%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.85 | pDev: 11.43%
Reviews:
53
Ratings:
56
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 04, 2021
Added:
Jun 15, 2002
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
View: More Beers
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by RBorsato:
Photo of RBorsato
Reviewed by RBorsato from Virginia

3.03/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Nice brown color with a low ring light tan head which dissipates quickly. Overly sweet caramel-ish aroma. Toffee and caramel malt flavors; definitely sweet with no hop character. Medium bodied and smooth with a light dry finish.

Probably one of the best beers I've had out of Mexico (which may not be saying much...). Not a bad beer but not one I'd go out of my way for ... too much caramel sweetness.

Per M.J's notes: "A Scotch Ale"; 15 Plato; Carapils, Crystal and Chocolate malts; East Kent Goldings and Styrians hops.
Feb 18, 2003
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.78 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 04, 2021
 
Rated: 4 by harpus from Alabama

Jul 22, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Feb 19, 2012
Photo of Absumaster
Reviewed by Absumaster from Netherlands

3.57/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
This was a bit of a surprise for me, a very good Mexican beer. I did not expect this!
A red/brown beer with good carbonation and a very small head.
Smell was very extra-ordinary, there was the obvious maltiness, but also a smell that reminded me of balsamico, porto and soy sauce and molasses. Very bizarre, yet tasty!
Taste of dark malts, some caramel and grapes. The 'balsamico' smell was also apparent in the taste, giving a slight acidic and ground-like taste. Bitterness was almost absent.

This 'balsamico', as I would describe it, adds really to the flavour of the beer and although it is not something I've tasted before, I like it!
Apr 08, 2006
Photo of Matcpd
Reviewed by Matcpd from Pennsylvania

3.87/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
(Sampled at Spuyten Duyvil in Brooklyn)

apperance --
clear amber / light brown in color - the head reminded me of a coca-cola.

nose --
Chocolately, Coffee, Malty=VERY SWEET, Slighty Raisin/Prunes

taste/mouthfeel --
The body was light, a bit surprising for the style, although the transparent color of the beer hinted at this. Very clean, crisp and refreshing. No Bitterness. Mellow...perhaps this particular bottle has been sitting around for a few years. Also had hints of an Abbey Dubbel because of its malty sweetness.

drinkability --
Impressive for a Mexican beer. It is very drinkable in hot climates - I think that is what makes it so successful. Sessionable, but still complex.
Mar 08, 2006
Photo of Phatz
Reviewed by Phatz from Pennsylvania

4.62/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I loved this beer. It is complete happenstance that I even came upon it. Thanks to BA tgbljb from Lancaster. It ended up this beer was part of a trade and I am certainly indebted. As a sweet tooth I love smooth sweet beers and the Scottish Ale style is one of my favorites. This beer does the style proud!

Appearance: Pours a solid brown with slight red hues. Nice tan head that leaves a frothy coating thought the duration of the beer. Immense and fantastic lacing.

Smell: Very thick aroma (if you know what I mean). It fills your nose; wow! It is the smell of super sweet raw sugar, burnt wood and caramelized malts. Absolutely exceptional. It makes my mouth salivate at the first waft of its aroma.

Taste: Toasted caramelized malts was the first thing that comes to mind. There is definitely the toasty-ness and the caramel but there are also hints of other dark fruits; a few plums and a couple of cherries are thrown into this mix. Then there is a bit of spiciness. Maybe it is in part the alcohol but I think the hops are playing a role here as well. It is not overly floral but the presence is just enough to keep the sugar from being cloying. The aftertaste has a bit of a black (charcoal-ish) bitter that offsets the sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Extremely smooth full feeling medium body creamy and oily mouthfeel. Just when you think it is going to be chewy the buttery texture slide right down your throat. Magnificent.

Drinkability: What else can I say. I have run out of adjectives. By now you know I am a fan of this beer. It is too sweet to be an all nighter beer but it is good for two, and they'll go down easy. I'm certain because after one I was definitely craving more.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!


THANKS:
Thanks to tgbljb for the trade!
Heres to finding good beer in Lancaster PA :) Cheers!
Mar 06, 2006
Photo of tesguino
Reviewed by tesguino from Mexico

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
deep brown color , characteritic of this beer, smell green, grass just harvested; broiled hops too, slightly leather notes; taste, smoky and velvet, full bodied, and caramel flavor; good for mexican haute cuisine; try in a pint glass off course; 89% recommended.
Oct 25, 2005
Photo of nekronos
Reviewed by nekronos from Mexico

4.65/5  rDev +20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The first time I tried this I did not find it special, but my tastes improved and then I could appretiate its valour. This is a sweet surprise to everytone who believes lagers are the beers here. IT is like deliscious, and great for bohemins in a bar.
Sep 21, 2005
Photo of bultrey
Reviewed by bultrey from New York

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I haven't been too terribly impressed with Casta's beers, but this one I like. Interesting that it is a Scottish Ale, because when I first tasted it, I immediately thought it was like an old ale, brewed along the lines of Old Peculiar. Anyhow, it has a beautiful deep chestnut color with very little head or lacing. Smells like raisiny malts with a touch of cinnamon. Initially quite sweet, with that same raisiny flavor, some cocoa powder, and a chalky dry finish that prevents this from being cloying. A bit of fruity hop bitterness lingers on the palate, but not for long. If chosen to pair with Mexican food, this would be excellent with traditional mole negro or perhaps pipian sauce. I would certainly buy this at a traditional Mexican restaurant.
Aug 30, 2005
Photo of Albinoh
Reviewed by Albinoh from Mexico

4.54/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Dark brown color with a good tan head that leaves a tiny lace. Incredibly inviting aroma, sweet malt, caramel, roasted grain. Very good taste, everything is well balanced, the caramel flavor pushes at the beginning, lots of sweetness, with a slightly creamy mouthfeel, roasted/smoky afterwards... delicate aftertase... I really like this beer, the best beer brewed in mexican soil.
Aug 21, 2005
Photo of Pepeton
Reviewed by Pepeton from Mexico

4.32/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Drinking this beer is just like finding a long lost friend.
I've been drinking ales from Especialidades Cerveceras since the very moment they opened.
Oh! What a breeze of fresh air they were.

This one pours a dark reddish brew, with a nice short lived tan head. Almost no lacing.

Smells like ripe fruit (maybe prunes), malts and sweet.

Taste is of roasted malts. Good.

Mouthfeel is buttery, with a bitter aftertaste.

Drinkability is high, since it's one of the four ales brewed in my town.
What can I say? Are we or are we not supposed to support our local microbrewer?

¡Salud!
Aug 18, 2005
Photo of tgbljb
Reviewed by tgbljb from Pennsylvania

4.32/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a deep brown crystal clear color with a nice head that fell to a sustained ring. Smell is of malt, prunes, plums, toasted grains, and figs. Taste is superb with a excellent balance of toasted grains and dark fruits. Mouthfeel is also excellent with a lingering fruitiness. An absolutely pleasnt suprise. A beer can't get much better.
Jul 20, 2005
Photo of diablo14
Reviewed by diablo14 from Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
the label on this beer would be one of the most bizarre ive ever seen. the guy on the front has a face where his tackle should be! apart from that its your usual mexican dark beer, good without being great, and nothing like the style it professes to be.

its a fairly fizzy, darker amber colored beer with a fair to middling head. has ok hoppy aromas with caramel tones and something nutty around the mark. leaning towards sweet in flavor, i detected a golden syrup type taste in there with the regulation nutty elements. the malt was not prominent enuff for the style, but was reasonably tasty nevertheless.the sweetness was somewhat negated on the back palate, but the semi crisp finish had more to do with carbonation than any top quality hop presence. just didnt have enuff body or fullness of flavor for my liking, and certainly not for a scottish ale. still, it was inoffensive, and didnt get sickly as it warmed up, so that alone makes it something you can easily slam down while eating your enchiladas.

this brew was a solid drinking ale that wasnt too expensive, went down nicely and tasted pretty good. i would in no way call this a scotch ale, but its still ok.
Jul 18, 2005
Photo of beerceller99
Reviewed by beerceller99 from Louisiana

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear chestnut color with a with a foamy tan head. Nice mildly sweet roasted nut smell. Light to medium bodied. Has an interesting, spicy malt taste with a sweet essence of bubblegum.
Finishes mildly bitter. A very easy drinking brew here from a quality brewer south of the border.
Jul 14, 2005
Photo of ppoitras
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts

4.11/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle purchased as a single at Villa Spirits Shoppe, Storrs, CT.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 3/4" light tan head over the clear copperish brown brew. Head settles about half, with nice lacing. Aroma is minimal and somewhat generic. Taste is another story, with chocolate, caramel and the odd peat flavor dancing across the tongue. Mouthfeel and drinkability are excellent, my favorite Casta offering to date.
Jun 24, 2005
Photo of PorterLambic
Reviewed by PorterLambic from Florida

2.99/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a mahogany brown with red highlights. A small, thin head is all that show up, but does stay for a bit.
Smell is unbelieveably hard to find. I spent at least 5 minutes trying to sniff out something. Came away with very light scents of roast malt, hops and, once it warmed up about 10 more minutes, vanilla.
Taste is caramel, molasses, malt, vanilla and hops. Taste gets better as it warms.
Mouthfeel is fairly smooth, lightly carbonated, a bit thinner that expected, a light-medium body.
Drinkability: A decent beer but not really up to the standards of other Scottish/English dark ales.
May 27, 2005
Photo of wl0307
Reviewed by wl0307 from England

3.15/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Tried this beer on 18 April 2005 at home in a bit tulip wine glass.
Appearance: dark amber to brown colour, with very delicate and thin beer head, limited carbonation.
Smell: quite tartly sweet, "expired"-raison to dried-longan-fruit flavour; also reminiscent of some English old ale style beer (e.g. Greene King's Old Suffolk ale)
Taste: vertical, but not too sweet longan-fruit palate.
Aftertaste: nice, round mouthful of, still, longan-fruit and malty taste. Not very dominating and not too sweet. In terms of body and depth, it's a bit thin nevertheless... faint bitterness.
Overall drinkability: Don't know why I kept having the impression of this beer brewed even "WITH" longan-fruit. I suppose it's either I'm preoccupied with the fruit tonight or the beer itself is, I'm afraid, too simple and straight forward. A jolly pleasant digestif (for me) though.
Apr 18, 2005
Photo of goodbyeohio
Reviewed by goodbyeohio from Connecticut

3.22/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
pours very dark into a wine glass. head disappears quickly. smell is malty, raisins and sugars. strong and kicking in the nose. body is depressingly light. the first thing that hits you is a tartness, followed by weak malt notes and a lack of spice. very nonexistent in the finish. taking bigger an bigger sips just to capture some flavor. smooth, but light. bitterness in the aftertaste follows a big gulp. apple detected after intense scrutiny. not a bad beer, just disappointing for something so dark. flavor is there, just needs a magnifying glass.
Mar 29, 2005
Photo of blitheringidiot
Reviewed by blitheringidiot from Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Knowing that Morena is a Spanish word for ... uh ... morena ... as oppsed to less ena...ok ok...

Dark cola hues with a stable khaki cap and a few tight beads rising.

Light aromas of rootbeer, and brewed tea cherry & red apple hints.

First swigs: Sweet red apple malts. Some roasty flavors via a tiny bit of coffee yogurt like lingering aftertaste of rootbeer.

Mouthfeel is foamy with a medium body and cloying aftertaste. Lacks a defining flavor. Muddy.

Last swigs: More like a lager than an ale.
Mar 23, 2005
Casta Morena (Dark Ale) from Especialidades Cerveceras S.A. de C.V.
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 56 ratings