Black Castle 80 Shilling Scottish Style Ale
Rocky Bay Brewing Company

Well my 2nd Scottish Ale in a week and not what you expect from this style, though this is good stuff. Pours a slightly hazy brown color, not too dark. Smells a bit like caramel. Taste is a caramel malt with grassy hop notes. Mouthfeel isn't too thick. Very drinkable. Another real nice beer from Rocky Bay but a little too hoppy for the style. But just my opinion.

Overall, surprising restraint for a Maine Scottish Ale. 4% ABV? That's a session beer in a land where the upper fives are to be expected in a Scottish.

Light in aroma; just a touch of sweet non-candy malt.

That also sums up the taste profile. Reminds me of a double brown. Very fine bubbles in the mouthfeel add to the round sensation of omnipresent sweet malt. Hop bite is there, just to make sure you know it exists. Hop character intensifies mid glass. This ale should be allowed to warm, definitely, before drinking.

Drinkability marks high for the suggestion of richness without wobble-inducing alcohol levels.

From a fresh growler.

Pours a clear ruby brown with a thick tan head. Smells bitter and of malt. Hints of caramel.

Tastes of malt and molasses though not as strong as the smell would hint at. Bitter with caramel flavors. Mouthfeel is thick, sweet and sticky. Is remarkably easy drinking for a scotch ale. A solid offering from Rocky Bay.

I had a couple of these at the Maine Brewers Fest. It poured a clear, dark brown, with a light tan head and left average lacing. Nose tended to be on the mild side, exhibiting some slight malt and peaty notes. Mouthfeel checked in about medium on all counts. Flavor possessed maltiness, though less than expected. Had a bit of peatiness here as well, and was fairly dry, all-in-all. The finish was marked by a slight hop bitterness. A better than average Scottish. Cheers!