Jolly Scot Scottish Ale
Appalachian Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Scottish Ale
Ranked #173 - ABV:
- 5.2%
- Score:
- 81
Ranked #45,190 - Avg:
- 3.56 | pDev: 12.36%
- Reviews:
- 153
- Ratings:
- From:
- Appalachian Brewing Company
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 10
- Gots
- 53
SCORE
81
Good
81
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 153
| Ratings: 327
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Reviews by Gavage:
Gavage from Nevada
3.26/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: pours a clear reddish burgandy color with a 1" off white head. Not much lacing to speak of.
Smell: the nose barely picks up some caramel and ripe black plums.
Taste: the taste follows the nose as caramel and plums are in there, but add in a bit of pepper, mild bitterness, and a hint of smoky tones.
Mouthfeel: lightly crisp from start through the finish. The aftertaste is short with caramels tones. Medium bodied.
Drinkability: not bad, but I felt this leans more towards a red ale than anything else. So-so offering.
May 02, 2006
3.26/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: pours a clear reddish burgandy color with a 1" off white head. Not much lacing to speak of.
Smell: the nose barely picks up some caramel and ripe black plums.
Taste: the taste follows the nose as caramel and plums are in there, but add in a bit of pepper, mild bitterness, and a hint of smoky tones.
Mouthfeel: lightly crisp from start through the finish. The aftertaste is short with caramels tones. Medium bodied.
Drinkability: not bad, but I felt this leans more towards a red ale than anything else. So-so offering.
May 02, 2006
More User Reviews:
Jarod from Pennsylvania
3.92/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer has a dark caramel / nut color as it reflects in the glass. A surprisingly thick head that seems to last. It drags down the glass as it leaves its lace. Beige in color. It has a sweet malt aroma and a slight sweet malt flavor with hints of flower and hops. Good beer.
Nov 13, 2002
3.92/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer has a dark caramel / nut color as it reflects in the glass. A surprisingly thick head that seems to last. It drags down the glass as it leaves its lace. Beige in color. It has a sweet malt aroma and a slight sweet malt flavor with hints of flower and hops. Good beer.
Nov 13, 2002
SchmichaelJ from Pennsylvania
3.47/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was a bit surprised when the barkeep planted my pint of Jolly Scot before me...despite a nice dark, clean red hue, it held a very thin head with practically no noticeable carbonation. There was no apparent lacing, and very little head retention. It looked nice, but kind of flat. The smell was a little more reassuring with a sweet malt and subtle hop hints. The taste held a pleasing maltiness, with a good balance. It was smooth, and full, yet had an almost average overall taste for a Scottish Ale. The Ale was very active in the mouth, with a tingling, prickly sensation. Not too full, decent mouthfeel all around. ABC's Jolly Scot is not a bad Scottish Ale, but I wasn't extremely impressed. I'd gladly down a few of them, but would probably seek out another Scottish Ale if in the mood for the style.
Jan 08, 2003
3.47/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I was a bit surprised when the barkeep planted my pint of Jolly Scot before me...despite a nice dark, clean red hue, it held a very thin head with practically no noticeable carbonation. There was no apparent lacing, and very little head retention. It looked nice, but kind of flat. The smell was a little more reassuring with a sweet malt and subtle hop hints. The taste held a pleasing maltiness, with a good balance. It was smooth, and full, yet had an almost average overall taste for a Scottish Ale. The Ale was very active in the mouth, with a tingling, prickly sensation. Not too full, decent mouthfeel all around. ABC's Jolly Scot is not a bad Scottish Ale, but I wasn't extremely impressed. I'd gladly down a few of them, but would probably seek out another Scottish Ale if in the mood for the style.
Jan 08, 2003
francisweizen from Alaska
3.72/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A very well rounded scotch ale. This stuff pours a dark red colour with a small, fizzy head. The aromas are of scotch, alcohol, and heavy malts. The taste is very scotch-like, soothing, warm, and boozy. The mouthfeel is heavy, but not overly heavy and the drinkability is damn good.
Oct 31, 2003
3.72/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A very well rounded scotch ale. This stuff pours a dark red colour with a small, fizzy head. The aromas are of scotch, alcohol, and heavy malts. The taste is very scotch-like, soothing, warm, and boozy. The mouthfeel is heavy, but not overly heavy and the drinkability is damn good.
Oct 31, 2003
cretemixer from Indiana
3.95/5 rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Deep auburn in color with a fairly thick tannish head. Light carbonation noted as the head subsides. Smoky roasted malts dominate the nose. Really good roasted malt taste to match the aroma with a very slight hop bitterness coming through about mid-glass. Decent lace. Overall pretty well balanced and smooth. Thin mouthfeel but overall pretty drinkable.
Jan 02, 2003
3.95/5 rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Deep auburn in color with a fairly thick tannish head. Light carbonation noted as the head subsides. Smoky roasted malts dominate the nose. Really good roasted malt taste to match the aroma with a very slight hop bitterness coming through about mid-glass. Decent lace. Overall pretty well balanced and smooth. Thin mouthfeel but overall pretty drinkable.
Jan 02, 2003
orsulacp from Pennsylvania
3.19/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I picked up a sixtel of this for the home kegerator; the label said it was filled on 6/24/05. The price made this very attractive; it was a good 10-15 dollars less then the other micro sixtels at Exton Beverage. It poured a nice reddish-brown with a 1/2-inch light tan head that reduced to a collar quickly. I didn't get a great deal of aroma, a sweet earthy smell but I had to breathe deep to get it. A bit of sweetness in the beginning, then ended with slight hop bitterness, not much flavor, good for the style. It drinks pretty easy, has a creamy texture with low carbonation, and a dry finish. The price in a sixtel makes this a great buy.
Sep 30, 2005
3.19/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I picked up a sixtel of this for the home kegerator; the label said it was filled on 6/24/05. The price made this very attractive; it was a good 10-15 dollars less then the other micro sixtels at Exton Beverage. It poured a nice reddish-brown with a 1/2-inch light tan head that reduced to a collar quickly. I didn't get a great deal of aroma, a sweet earthy smell but I had to breathe deep to get it. A bit of sweetness in the beginning, then ended with slight hop bitterness, not much flavor, good for the style. It drinks pretty easy, has a creamy texture with low carbonation, and a dry finish. The price in a sixtel makes this a great buy.
Sep 30, 2005
sulldaddy from Connecticut
3.92/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is another brew that I got from DeadGuyAle. Thanks!
I am pouring a chilled sample into a pint glass. The brew pours a clear mahogany with rich ruby tints intertwined.
A small off white head foams up and very quickly disappears to nothing.
Aroma is malty with caramel toffee and some brown sugar scents coming forth. I also get a mild earthy hop presence.
First sip, average carbonation, with a decently thick body. Flavor is all caramel up front and is all malt overall. I do get a bit of a grainy biscuit flavor on the finish. This brew is very smooth and easy to drink. I will drink this one again!
May 13, 2004
3.92/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is another brew that I got from DeadGuyAle. Thanks!
I am pouring a chilled sample into a pint glass. The brew pours a clear mahogany with rich ruby tints intertwined.
A small off white head foams up and very quickly disappears to nothing.
Aroma is malty with caramel toffee and some brown sugar scents coming forth. I also get a mild earthy hop presence.
First sip, average carbonation, with a decently thick body. Flavor is all caramel up front and is all malt overall. I do get a bit of a grainy biscuit flavor on the finish. This brew is very smooth and easy to drink. I will drink this one again!
May 13, 2004
ItsBeer4Me from Pennsylvania
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dec 29, 2019
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Dec 29, 2019
beergeek279 from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Served as a 6 oz. cask sample at ABC. The color was dark amber, with a wispy white head. The smell was a dark, sweet malt. The taste was a strong, slightly sweet dark malt, with a good toffeeness, and a bit of hops. Mouthfeel was nice and smooth. As for drinkability, I'd definitely have me quite a few of these.
When I had it, I was thinking this was a damn weak Wee Heavy, but I didn't realize that this was just a regular everyday Scottish Ale. In that case, it certainly was fantastic, and one I wish to have in the future.
Jun 30, 2004
4.1/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Served as a 6 oz. cask sample at ABC. The color was dark amber, with a wispy white head. The smell was a dark, sweet malt. The taste was a strong, slightly sweet dark malt, with a good toffeeness, and a bit of hops. Mouthfeel was nice and smooth. As for drinkability, I'd definitely have me quite a few of these.
When I had it, I was thinking this was a damn weak Wee Heavy, but I didn't realize that this was just a regular everyday Scottish Ale. In that case, it certainly was fantastic, and one I wish to have in the future.
Jun 30, 2004
SPLITGRIN from Kentucky
3.42/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Almost two fingers of biscuity tan head is achieved with a solid pour. Bubbles crackle big and fade fast leaving just a skim and no lace. Body is a rich tone of brown with hints of ruby glow when held to light. Nose has sweet malt tones with noticeable graham cracker notes. With first sip you get a very smooth creamy mouth feel up front. Sweetness is accompanied by roasted malts that are more woodsy than sweet. There is a small bit of fruity tartness there also. All together the flavor profile comes up a little hollow and short. Mouthfeel is soft and fuzzy and a hit cloying. Drinkability is good but overall this is not a beer I would seek out when wanting a Scottish style ale.
Jul 27, 2015
3.42/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Almost two fingers of biscuity tan head is achieved with a solid pour. Bubbles crackle big and fade fast leaving just a skim and no lace. Body is a rich tone of brown with hints of ruby glow when held to light. Nose has sweet malt tones with noticeable graham cracker notes. With first sip you get a very smooth creamy mouth feel up front. Sweetness is accompanied by roasted malts that are more woodsy than sweet. There is a small bit of fruity tartness there also. All together the flavor profile comes up a little hollow and short. Mouthfeel is soft and fuzzy and a hit cloying. Drinkability is good but overall this is not a beer I would seek out when wanting a Scottish style ale.
Jul 27, 2015
fourstringer from Maryland
2.5/5 rDev -29.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured pretty damn aggressively from a 12 oz bottle into a typical pint glass. No date on the label. Bought it on a whim this evening.
A: Orange-tinted dark amber with an anemic 1/2 finger of fizzy off-white head. Poor retention. Surface film at 30 seconds. Pretty clear.
S: Sweet malt. Light, indistinct fruit. Rubber?
T: Roasted malt sweetness up front with a touch of hop bitterness on the finish. Semi-dry to somewhat sweet. Some tang in the aftertaste. This seems to quickly replace the flash of initial flavor. Faint traces of toffee, dark chocolate linger. Half-way through now and a bitter alcohol flavor seems to dominate.
M: Moderate carbonation. Relatively thin body for the style and flavor profile. Better out of the bottle.
O: Wow, this went downhill fast. Started off tolerable and really just nose dived into unpleasant off-scents and off-flavors. I'm not dumping it or anything - let's be real - but not a whole lot of redeeming factors. The one I had directly from the bottle seemed better.
Oct 25, 2013
2.5/5 rDev -29.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured pretty damn aggressively from a 12 oz bottle into a typical pint glass. No date on the label. Bought it on a whim this evening.
A: Orange-tinted dark amber with an anemic 1/2 finger of fizzy off-white head. Poor retention. Surface film at 30 seconds. Pretty clear.
S: Sweet malt. Light, indistinct fruit. Rubber?
T: Roasted malt sweetness up front with a touch of hop bitterness on the finish. Semi-dry to somewhat sweet. Some tang in the aftertaste. This seems to quickly replace the flash of initial flavor. Faint traces of toffee, dark chocolate linger. Half-way through now and a bitter alcohol flavor seems to dominate.
M: Moderate carbonation. Relatively thin body for the style and flavor profile. Better out of the bottle.
O: Wow, this went downhill fast. Started off tolerable and really just nose dived into unpleasant off-scents and off-flavors. I'm not dumping it or anything - let's be real - but not a whole lot of redeeming factors. The one I had directly from the bottle seemed better.
Oct 25, 2013
NolanGTI from Pennsylvania
3.1/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This beer looked good on the pour with a nice rich auburn color, but head almost instantly dissipated to nothing. Hmm..nose had some malty sweetness present but not overwhelming or very complex. Taste was a bit underwhelming. While not sugary sweet, which some Scotch Ales can be, there jsut wasn't a ton going on in this one. I expected some more complex backround flavors and wasn't able to pick much up.
Pretty thin in the mouth to the point of almost tasting flat. Drinkable, but I certainly didn't order a second pint.
Mar 27, 2006
3.1/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
This beer looked good on the pour with a nice rich auburn color, but head almost instantly dissipated to nothing. Hmm..nose had some malty sweetness present but not overwhelming or very complex. Taste was a bit underwhelming. While not sugary sweet, which some Scotch Ales can be, there jsut wasn't a ton going on in this one. I expected some more complex backround flavors and wasn't able to pick much up.
Pretty thin in the mouth to the point of almost tasting flat. Drinkable, but I certainly didn't order a second pint.
Mar 27, 2006
HappyHourHero from Indiana
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Glowing burgandy colored beer with a short cream colored head. Lightly sweet caramel malt in the aroma along with dark fruits and a hint of tea. There is a good amount of dark malt in there with hints of red wine and cherries. There is also an overriding cocoa flavor that, while it does not taste bad, seems very out of place. Mouthfeel is thin and almost watery. Scottish ales are typically quite drinkable, but even so the mouthfeel in this one is a bit lacking. A good beer, but not a good Scottish Ale.
Jan 30, 2007
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Glowing burgandy colored beer with a short cream colored head. Lightly sweet caramel malt in the aroma along with dark fruits and a hint of tea. There is a good amount of dark malt in there with hints of red wine and cherries. There is also an overriding cocoa flavor that, while it does not taste bad, seems very out of place. Mouthfeel is thin and almost watery. Scottish ales are typically quite drinkable, but even so the mouthfeel in this one is a bit lacking. A good beer, but not a good Scottish Ale.
Jan 30, 2007
99bottles from Pennsylvania
3.28/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I have had this multiple times in ABC variety cases, but I never reviewed it. As my tasting experience has grown, my fondness for this beer has waned. Oh well, as it stands now...
Apperance: The Jolly Scot pours a rich reddish brown color with some small fizzy-foam head, that doesn't seem to have much staying power. Light lace entwines the inside of the pint glass as the beer is drank.
Smell: Glug, glug, glug. Sweet malt is all over this one, with overly sweet notes of syrup, molasses, and brown sugar. Faintest tingle of hops, or maybe peat?
Taste: Given the nice look and interesting smell, the taste doesn't match up. Nothing inherently wrong, but the flavors just aren't as intense as I would have liked. Again, very sweet carmel malt backbone that comes off as very soft and friendly. There are some interesting hop notes that go well with the notes of damp moss and earth. I wish these flavors could come through in the aftertaste, but the malt presence is too much. Just not as flavorful or intense as other Scotch Ales I've had.
Mouthfeel: Surprisingly light on the tongue and palate, even on the edge of thin. Malts make for some body, but again, this is not quite right.
Drinkability: If anything, you could drink multiple Jolly Scots and not get bogged down. The problem is, I'm not sure you'd really want to. I still like the beer as a whole, but I've had better examples of the style. I'd love it if they tweaked this into a Wee-Heavy and beefed the flavors up.
May 10, 2004
3.28/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I have had this multiple times in ABC variety cases, but I never reviewed it. As my tasting experience has grown, my fondness for this beer has waned. Oh well, as it stands now...
Apperance: The Jolly Scot pours a rich reddish brown color with some small fizzy-foam head, that doesn't seem to have much staying power. Light lace entwines the inside of the pint glass as the beer is drank.
Smell: Glug, glug, glug. Sweet malt is all over this one, with overly sweet notes of syrup, molasses, and brown sugar. Faintest tingle of hops, or maybe peat?
Taste: Given the nice look and interesting smell, the taste doesn't match up. Nothing inherently wrong, but the flavors just aren't as intense as I would have liked. Again, very sweet carmel malt backbone that comes off as very soft and friendly. There are some interesting hop notes that go well with the notes of damp moss and earth. I wish these flavors could come through in the aftertaste, but the malt presence is too much. Just not as flavorful or intense as other Scotch Ales I've had.
Mouthfeel: Surprisingly light on the tongue and palate, even on the edge of thin. Malts make for some body, but again, this is not quite right.
Drinkability: If anything, you could drink multiple Jolly Scots and not get bogged down. The problem is, I'm not sure you'd really want to. I still like the beer as a whole, but I've had better examples of the style. I'd love it if they tweaked this into a Wee-Heavy and beefed the flavors up.
May 10, 2004
Jolly Scot Scottish Ale from Appalachian Brewing Company
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
327 ratings
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