Scotch Ale
Big Rig Brewery

Scotch AleScotch Ale
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From:
Big Rig Brewery
 
Ontario, Canada
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
ABV:
7.2%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.82 | pDev: 7.59%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
15
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 13, 2017
Added:
Dec 23, 2014
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by biegaman:
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Big Rig Scotch Ale bears a colour and complexion similar to the bottle it comes in; this deep brown beer is transparent despite the dark tone and is similarly topped with a crown that grips down around its circumference. Flattering ruby highlights are appreciated when it's held up the light.

The presence of peat smoked malt is a pleasant touch; it tempers the toasted nuttiness and caramel notes of the malt as well as lends a mildly convincing hint of oak wood (note: this is not barrel-aged). It definitely puts the "scotch" in "Scotch Ale" and is loosely reminiscent of a classic Islay dram.

However, people who despise the smoky, peaty, iodine flavours that distinguish those whiskeys have only minor cause for concern; the qualities are appreciable but faint. But the character they lend to this offering really differentiate it from other examples of the style that lean heavily on caramelization.

I like this more cluttered interpretation of the style. Wood smoke and mossy vegetation pair well with flavours of molasses, cooking apple, birch syrup, forest brush, and raw cocoa nib. Anyone who enjoys the tarry, piny taste of lapsong souchong tea will adore this colder, more intoxicating (7.2%) alternative.

But I'll repeat myself: as distinctive as hickory, sea-side herbals, and campfire notes may be, control is most certainly exhibited. This is more style than substance and will be robust for some, restrained to others. If you ask me, this needs a little more body to warrant the next highest score.

Big Rig's Scotch Ale won't be for everyone - one's enjoyment of it may depend on what part of Scotland makes up their whiskey cabinet. That said, it's immensely approachable (again, I would have liked more strength and severity because I love the profile). Still, full marks to its maker for something so genuine.
Nov 22, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.01 by StormAles from Canada (ON)

Jul 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.78 by Taphouse_Traveler from Florida

Dec 15, 2015
Photo of TerryW
Rated by TerryW from Canada (ON)

3.52/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Thin-bodied, but slightly smoky and peaty. Interesting, good for slow drinking.
Jun 29, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by GoHabsGo from Canada (ON)

Jun 12, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by Electros from Canada (ON)

May 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.39 by Long813 from Canada (ON)

May 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.59 by Bf_89 from Canada (ON)

Apr 05, 2015
Photo of thehyperduck
Reviewed by thehyperduck from Canada (ON)

4.16/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
660 mL bottle from the LCBO; bottled on Dec 5 2014 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a deep, clear, highly effervescent reddish-copper hue, producing just under one inch of dense, creamy off-white head. It wilts readily over the next five minutes or so, resulting in a soapy film on the surface and a narrow collar, with little in the way of lace. Unsurprisingly, the aroma is quite malt-forward - there is tons of toffee and butterscotch sweetness, some fruity pudding and a pleasant smoked peat quality. Mild hints of sherry, toasted nuts and plum also come through - very nice, so far.

The first sip follows the nose closely, and does not disappoint in the slightest. There is plenty of malty goodness to be had here - caramel and toffee provide much of the sweetness, overlapping with a bready malt backbone that includes hints of toasted grains, plum, and some slightly nutty notes. The peat and smoked malt begin to rear their heads in the latter half of the profile, along with accents of wood, cocoa and sugary dark fruit sweetness. Finishes sweet, with lingering caramelized sugar flavours surviving well into the aftertaste, in addition to a touch of earthy peat. Medium-bodied; the carbonation is assertive on the palate, giving this wee heavy a rather lively mouthfeel for the style - not ideal, in my opinion, but this is a very minor gripe. Otherwise, it's a perfectly lovely Scottish-style ale.

Final Grade: 4.16, an A-. Having only tried one other beer from this brewery - the Gold - and not being terrifically enamoured with that one, I originally picked up this bomber with some slight trepidation. However, this Scotch Ale has me convinced that Big Rig is more than capable of pumping out some truly impressive beer. It's a little too pricy to be a regular purchase for me, but I could see myself grabbing another bomber in the near future - not to mention next winter. Very tasty - any Ontario beer geeks looking for a tasty British-style brew that is both malt-forward and moderately strong should definitely pick this one up.
Mar 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.73 by Sammy from Canada (ON)

Jan 21, 2015
Photo of taxandbeerguy
Reviewed by taxandbeerguy from Canada (ON)

4.2/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
660 ml bottle served fairly cold into a pint glass, purchased for about $6 CDN.

Appearance - rich dark caramel color with some honey hues. Small thin layer of head stays on top and leaves behind some small streaks of lacing. Considerable visible carbonation.

Smell - rich bready aroma with a solid blast of oak. Some caramel and butterscotch mixed with a sticky pudding smell too. Really good smell off of this.

Taste - basically the same as the nose, rich and starts bready before the sweet sticky goodness of the butterscotch and caramel takes over. Reminds me again of bready pudding with a sprinkle of cinnamon for good measure. A little bit of smoke appears after a few sips too for added complexity.

Mouthfeel - moderate body, not heavy, sticky or cloying with a great level of carbonation.

Overall - great beer, really surprised at good and well put together this was. The sticky bread pudding aromas and flavors with a hint of additional sweetness was just right not too strong but immensely flavorful. Easy as hell to drink . Definitely worth a shot.
Jan 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by BigGruntyThirst from Canada (ON)

Jan 18, 2015
Photo of Phyl21ca
Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)

4.22/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle: Poured a medium copper color ale with a nice medium size foamy head with good retention and some light lacing. Aroma of peat malt with some toffee notes is really great. Taste is a well balanced mix between some peat malt with quite a bit of smoked notes with a well-balanced malt backbone which includes toffee and caramelized notes with just the right amount of residual sugar. Body is little bit thin with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Nice level of complexity while retaining some great drinkability.
Jan 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.77 by RedAleMan from Canada (ON)

Dec 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.29 by spinrsx from Canada (ON)

Dec 23, 2014
Scotch Ale from Big Rig Brewery
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 15 ratings