Ossian
Inveralmond Brewery Ltd., The

 

solid beer here too from these guys, they are doing some nice stuff, called a golden ale on the label, its a little more complex than what most americans are probably used to in the style, and i think its pretty distinctly scottish, which is neat, well made beer and very drinkable. a bit deeper color, approaching brassy to me, close to clear with some brightness but not immaculate, average white head from the bottle, mellow but ample carbonation. the aroma on this is toast and biscuit, malty depth for its pale color, subtle golden raisin and honey, but not outwardly sweet to me, old world ale yeast, a light astringency, dried flowers and grass, lightly citrusy and bitter hop complexion, more hops than expected, but nice balance overall. modest middle sweetness running through this but it sets the hops up nicely, bitter orange and a tea-like herbal aspect there, nothing too aggressive but maybe just pushing into sort of english pale range, the ferment is classic and the flow is lovely, real easy but not bland or boring or reduced in any way. light clover and hay, preserved lemon, and multigrain toast. smooth feeling, medium bodied, maybe just lighter than that, fresh to me, and nice on a table with a bunch of different food from raw veggies to fresh fish to heavier things, it works with all of it. love the hops on the back end. good stuff.

 

 

 

Oct. 2008: 500 ml bottle, bought at Lørenskog Brus-Shop. ABV is 4.1%. Golden colour, decent white head. Lovely aroma of fruity and floral hops, notes of honey. The flavour has distinct hops throughout, with grapefruity and nutty notes. Refreshing and moreish. Plenty of hoppy bitterness in the long aftertaste.

March 2017: Cask pint at Ma Cameron’s, Aberdeen. Golden colour, white head, nice lacing. Malty aroma, notes of toffee, hints of malt vinegar. The flavour is malty and fruity, medium dry, again hints of malt vinegar, but the beer is not sour. Fairly distinct bittering hops in the finish.

Cask. Sparkler fitted. Golden amber with a thin frothy head.
Light aroma of citrus fruit and toffee malt.
Tastes similar. Mild bitter flavour.
Low carbonation. Light to medium body.
Rather forgettable.

Bottle from Tesco. Clear golden, fizzy white head. Sweet aroma, grainy, notes of honey. Taste brings an edge of bitterness, bready, grainy flavors and a touch of honey. The bitterness is enough to distract me from the sweet malty flavors. Near miss for me.

 

 

Look - Golden colour. Head mid - low. Nice lacing.
Smell - Citrus, vanilla.
Taste - Gently fruity, with nice traces of hops. Vanilla aftertaste. With gentle bitterness.
Feel - Quite light, main taste lasts quite short on the palette with lasting bitterness sensation.
Overall - Quite refreshing. Very enjoyable. No weak points. Good ale.