Order of the Thistle
Oakshire Brewing

16-ounce can purchased at ABV Public House in Hillsboro, OR. Date stamp on the front reads "PKGD ON 12/17/24". Enjoyed in an English-style tulip half-pint.

Look:
The clear body is a reddish burnt orange with persimmon orange highlights. The vanilla yellow head is thick and creamy but doesn't last long, retreating quickly to a thin collar and a spray of flecks on the surface. Minimal lacing.

Smell:
Luscious toasty malt with hints of caramel, molasses, and roasted mixed nuts. There's also a touch of dark roasted malt, a little baked apple (no cinnamon), and a whiff of alcohol. A trace of smoke rises up as the beer warms.

Taste:
Leads with prominent malt flavors that are toasty, biscuity, and a little roasty. The malt is moderately sweet and enhanced with notes of brown sugar, caramel, and the skins from roasted peanuts. There's also a wisp of root beer/wintergreen underneath the caramel. A vague fruitiness is apparent, more like you'd get from lightly roasted coffees or dark chocolate than any particular fruit. Sweetness lingers through the drying finish, but it is countered by a gentle roastiness. As foretold by the nose, a very faint smokiness comes through as the beer warms.

Feel:
Medium-heavy body, round and chewy, with peppy carbonation and a soft glow of alcohol (appropriate for a beer with an ABV just south of 7%).

Overall:
A tasty collection of malt flavors, highlighted with tempting notes of caramel, fruit, and roast. Nicely balanced, neither too heavy nor too sweet. A very satisfying pint.

Purchased from American Market on State St. Salem OR
$9.49 a 4 pack, 16ozs.
Not my usual review
A really lovely smooth yet packed with great flavors beer. Not much peat if anything at all. But the rich toffee, molasses and caramel just blend so nicely.
Goes down a treat. excellent