Scotch Style Ale - Barrel-Aged
Stoudts Brewing Co.

Scotch Style Ale - Barrel-AgedScotch Style Ale - Barrel-Aged
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From:
Stoudts Brewing Co.
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Scottish Ale
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
89
Avg:
4 | pDev: 8.25%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
19
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 01, 2013
Added:
Oct 22, 2008
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DIM:
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
a: This was a very pretty, brownish, ruby red with golden orange edges. It pours with a massive, craggy light tan head that fades quickly to a manageable size leaving clumps of lace behind.

s: Vanilla and bourbon are the most obvious aromas, along with oak. Some earthy, peaty malts are muted but certainly noticeable. I got some brown sugar and raisins as well. As it warms, more alcohol emerges.

t: Boozy bourbon flavors are the most prevelant throughout. Peaty malts, oak, vanilla, and raisins show up at the very end. Very good overall, but maybe a little unbalanced.

m: Surprisingly, this felt a little thin. Perhaps because the carbonation was a little fizzy rather than creamy.

d: Stoudt's set the bar pretty high with their mind-bogglingly good barrel aged Fat Dog. This was good but doesn't meet that standard.
Oct 22, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by Sammy from Canada (ON)

Dec 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by whartontallboy from New York

Feb 02, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by nmann08 from Virginia

Nov 25, 2011
Photo of Dreadnaught33
Reviewed by Dreadnaught33 from District of Columbia

2.88/5  rDev -28%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3
A: Dirty murhy dark brown with cascading bubbles and semi thick ring of head.

S: Peaty malt and clean water with meaty bourbon as really nothing more than an afterthought. Prune and dark grapes. Barley.

T: Not overly flavorful, but from whats there is bourbon oak, and a little bit of fruit, not a whole lot else.

Mouthfeel is thin and watery, not impressive at all.
Jul 23, 2011
Photo of AgentZero
Reviewed by AgentZero from Illinois

3.43/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Thanks to MasterSki for sharing this from his WWIV box. Alex knows I don't like Scotch Ales, so I'm pretty sure that's why it ended up at our 4th of July get together.

A - Muddy brown color with a small white head that left some spots behind.

S - Brown sugar, some barrel, bourbon, a ton of peat. This is why I don't like these beers, peat just kills them to the point where the rest of the flavors are negatively muted. So it seems on the nose so far.

T - Once again, I am unpleasantly unsurprised by the fact that I don't like this beer. "Good for a Scotch Ale" generally means I'm still not going to care for it. A lot of peat, I find myself wishing for more barrel and bourbon or anything that would overpower the peat taste. A lot of brown sugar, toffee, and other great Scotch Ale things, but can't get over the peat.

M - Medium bodied, moderately low carbonation.

O - Good for what it is, but not good enough to get me to drink a significant amount of it or ever have any again.
Jul 06, 2011
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

4.02/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to mikeyv35 for sending this as part of White Whale IV. Served in a Russian River tulip. I hear this was released October 2008.

A - Pours with a thin white foam that settles to a partial cap and thin ring of bubbles. Dark caramel color that is slightly murky. Spotty lace remains.

S - Barrel, bourbon, earthy and peaty notes, brown sugar, toffee, hint of smoke, light milk chocolate.

T - Taste seems more like a barrel-aged barleywine in some ways - I'm not sure if age has blunted the smoke and sharp toffee flavors traditionally found in Scottish Ales, but in any case I found this quite pleasant. Obviously quite sweet, with caramel apple, vanilla, and brown sugar flavors galore. Some dry oak in the finish. No obvious alcohol, although I believe the base beer is only 7%. Minimal overt spirit character too.

M - Medium body, lower carbonation, no alcohol heat whatsoever, and a tannic oaky finish.

D - This was quite enjoyable, and was certainly the best Stoudt's offering I've had. It's also one of the best barrel-aged Scottish Ales I've had (faint praise, I know). I had a few pours of this one, and I'd gladly have it again in the future. A pleasant surprise.
Jul 05, 2011
Photo of mdfb79
Reviewed by mdfb79 from New York

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From 7/24/10 notes.

a - Pours a murky brown color with no head and light carbonation evident.

s - Smells of whiskey, oak, dark fruits, caramel and fruity malts.

t - Tastes of oak, whiskey, fruity malts, caramel malts, and some sugar.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

d - A pretty nice bourbon barrel aged beer. Lots of oak and whiskey; would try again.
Aug 12, 2010
Photo of Jwale73
Reviewed by Jwale73 from Rhode Island

3.9/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to Thirstybird for his continued generosity. Pours a translucent, garnet with a semi-dense half-inch light tan head. Nose is slightly sugary, with some prunes and raisins also revealed - all and all, fairly mild. Not sure where the barrel-aging is in this one because it's not in the nose. Taste follows nose - dry/earthy, a little peaty, with perhaps a hint of wood. Mouthfeel is medium-light, with a consistent carbonation and a semi-dry finish. A decent brew, but a little lackluster.
Jul 11, 2010
Photo of ClockworkOrange
Reviewed by ClockworkOrange from Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 750ml bottle from 2008. Thanks to Deuane for grabbing me a few of these when they were released. Uncorked and poured into my nonic Imperial pint glass. The ale appears a murky auburn color with about an inch of creamy light rust colored foam. Nose and flavors consist of caramelized malt, sour woody notes, subtle bourbon/whiskey notes, vanilla, a bit spicy, peat, and a good dose of coconut. Maybe a notch better than medium bodied with adequate carbonation for the style. Tasty stuff.
Apr 29, 2010
Photo of weeare138
Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

4.17/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appears a murky brown with crimson hues. A fluffy tan head cap. Scattered streaks of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of oak, vanilla, caramel, toffee, light citrus, and and bourbon.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with brown sugar, and just a tad of tartness noticed.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, juicy, chewy, mildly tart, sweet, and berry like in the finish.
Nov 14, 2009
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A 750 mL corked and caged bottle purchased at the brewery.

A: The ale is a tawny red color, so deep that it borders on black. The base of the glass has a bright ruby red glow. A 3 finger head was indicative of the ample carbonation.

S: The nose has a smooth bourbon sweetness that is strong on vanilla. A light peat-smoked malt presence adds enough presence to break through the bourbon.

T: The bourbon body is evident immediately but it is nicely reserved. Vanilla, boozy heat and peppery head are prickly, lively and smooth. The full malts that are noticeable in the nose disappear behind the bourbon here. The bourbon profile disappears rather quickly, leaving a taste void.

M: The boutbon is soft and subtle; the ale spent the perfect amount of time in the barrel. A little more peat would be welcome.

D: Another enjoyable offering from Stoudt's reserve series. The bourbon is front and center but never too intense.
Mar 08, 2009
Photo of CrazyMacHarris99
Reviewed by CrazyMacHarris99 from Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a dark black with brown highlights. There is a large offwhite head that leaves a thick coating and ring with great lacing. The smell is amazing!! There is a strong bourbon with peat, malt and some vanilla. The taste is malty with a strong peat presence and a large bourbon aftertaste. The vanilla and wood is there from the barrel. It is extremely smooth and everything blends together nicely. Its a bit much for more than one but a great example of the style.
Feb 09, 2009
Photo of joepais
Reviewed by joepais from Maine

4.42/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks go out to a couple of wonderful Pennsylvian BA for this one Dim and Deuane (hey D&D I stopped there for coffee this morning). I poured my bottle into my Sam Addams Pint glass and watched as it produced a good two fingers worth of tan head that settled to a nice lace. The body was black in color with some nice reddish/brown highlights.

The first whiff I got was of peat followed by some bourbon and malts. This brew has a really nice nose true to it style but more pronounced do to the barrel ageing.

The flavors are close to the nose sweet malts are the first thing that I notice. The woodiness and earthiness are some of the best I have sampled in a scotch style. They help bring the malts into check and keep this brew from being too sweet. The body is medium and smooth with ample carbonation to keep it interesting.

This brew is going down amazingly well. I can tell as I continue to finish the bottle that this one may contain some alcohol but not from the nose or taste. It's more like the flushness in my cheeks LOL
A great brew I would seek it out and I am glad I have one to age a bit.

Edit:
I just cracked the one I was aging this weekend and it was amazing.
Jan 09, 2009
Photo of ppoitras
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle obtained via trade with imstillthegman. Thanks for the opportunity. Corked & caged.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1" tan head above the cloudy reddish brown brew. Head recedes sedately, with lots of slow-falling lace. Aroma is malty sweet with coconut barrel notes. Taste follows the nose, barrel notes morphing into coconut and bourbon, with alcohol warming at and lingering after the swallow. Mouthfeel is whoa smooth, and drinkability is excellent as well. Although I am not a fan of coconut and things that taste like it, this beer's other attributes can make me look past that to the whole picture: Yum.
Jan 01, 2009
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours a dark brown body with ruby-hued edges and a smallish, fizzy, off-white head.

Smell: Boozy, bourbon-basted nose with notes of peat, caramel malts, wood, dark brown sugar, vanilla beans.

Taste: Earthy, peat-smoked maltiness with a sweetish taste of dark brown sugar. Light fruitiness. Heavy, bourbon barrel influence, with all the usual accompanying tastes. Absent of hop character and bitterness. Dry, lightly nutty finish with a last kick of alcoholic bourbon.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation, though a bit on the fizzy side.

Drinkability: Recommended. A solid barrel-aged brew from the fine folks at Stoudt's.
Nov 27, 2008
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

4.37/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750ml bottle.

Poured a medium to deeper mahogany color with a large sized off white head. Aromas of bourbon, vanilla, wood, peat, earthy, some smoke and some nuts. Wow, this one smelled great. Tastes of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, wood, nuts, raisins, and a light earthiness. Sweet but no where near cloying. The barrel aging was very nicely done and I’m glad I have few more of these!

Notes from and tasted on 10/20/08
Nov 06, 2008
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Reviewed by ATLbeerDog from Georgia

4.12/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a 750ml bottle - Pours a brown coca-cola color with small caramel colored head. Slightly below average carbonation. Smells of sweet bourbon and no much else. First sip is smooth and mellow the scotch dominating but still balanced with a nice malt backbone. Oak and vanilla notes are also presence. Very nice and drinkable. Carbonation is enhanced thanks to the bottle conditioning.
Nov 02, 2008
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A big thanks for sending this bottle down my way! I had never even heard of it, and have been thrilled to death with the other Stoudts creation, so yeah I was happy. Served chilled and poured into a tall pint glass. This one was consumed on 10/23/2008.

The pour was very nice, rich dark brown in color with a good amount of off white foam sitting up on the top of it. Settled down after a few minutes, leaving behind only a trace of itself on the top, however the side glass lacing was coming off as very impressive I have to admit. Very solid look here for the style, nearly classic and ideal.

The aroma now was nicely charged. Rich notes of vanilla and bourbon. Lots' f like oak and toffee like hints rippling throughout the profile as well, especially as it warmed and turned to be a much sweeter smell then initially poured. Carrying over well into the flavor, it became an increasingly more complex brew with time. Initial rush of bourbon and vanilla as mellowed with time into a nice mix of caramel and toffee. Nice touches of barrel aging here now, with oak and other woody flavors peeking around. Not that big push of flavor though I would have liked, but still very solid with a deep profile. Some nice touches of spicy bourbon now rippling through the finish and really just pulling this one totally through until the end. The feel was really nice, I thought the carbonation went a good ways in keeping it from feeling to thin or flat, and helped let the flavors really speak for themselves, while giving it that little extra bit of bounce it needed. Alcohol here was well hidden as there was no really warming, or hotness to it, though this was by all means still a very delicate sipper indeed.

Overall I thought this was done very well. A very nice, tight profile here was more then adequate. I was not as floored as I was by like the Alesmith BA Wee Heavy, but I really think the style here is progressing very nicely. I would have no issues with trying this one again, hell I am going to seek it out.
Nov 01, 2008
Scotch Style Ale - Barrel-Aged from Stoudts Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 19 ratings