Claymore Scotch Ale - Barrel-Aged
Great Divide Brewing Co.

I like Scotch Ales, but I don't remember this one even though I gave it a good rating. Don't remember where or when I had it.

Dark brown liquid; deep purple when held to the light.

Small white head; minimal lacing.

Smoke, cloves and banana in the malt-forward nose. Almost like a rauchbier!

Mouthfeel has heft but isn't overly viscous.

Smoke in front on the first sip; molasses and pickle juice follow. The pickle juice isn't overpowering, but slightly off-putting. Slight metallic after-taste.

After a promising nose, this is just an OK beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First of a few Great Divide Brews i picked up. Pours a dark brown color with very little head. No lacing down the sides. This is a malt centered beer and has the taste of some dark fruits, especially raisins but more so on the finish. Subtle hop bitterness. A slight alcohol taste is well balanced for the style. Overall this is an OK beer but not something ill be rushing back to the stores to pick up.

A little disappointing considering I do like both Great Divide's stuff, AND Scotch Ales in general. From pour to taste, it comes off like a porter. There was barely any head, and the smell and taste are both like a porter. None of the usual peatiness and scotch complexities that I have had in other Scotch Ales AND Wee Heavies were there. Makes for a decent porter, but as a Scotch Wee Heavy....I have to go with "not so much"...

Digging through some old papers, I found these notes from last year. Similar to the regular version in appearance, although nosing this one shows a marked difference. Huge bourbon up front, finally settles into oak, smoke and a hint of chocolate. On the palate, again bourbon is the dominant character, fighting with the smoke before finally letting just a bit in at the end. All in all a very nice beer, if a bit one dimensional.

On tap at Great Divide Tap Room, where they were giving away free samples. Pours dark brown/red in color with creamy white head. Smell and taste were both dominated by the whiskey. I love whiskey barrel-aged beer, so this did not bother me. In fact, I thought it was great. But those who prefer a more balanced BA brew may be disappointed. Very malty, sweet, some caramel, smoke, and dark fruit notes. But they definitely take a back seat to that whiskey. Body is medium, sticky, and medium carbonated. I was pounding through the free tasters, so can't complain about drinkability, but the whiskey notes are so strong I'm not sure I'd want a growler of this, even if they'd sell me one (which they wouldn't. I asked.).