Chelsea 90 Shilling Scotch Ale
Chelsea Craft Brewing Company

My review looks really strange, so let me explain in what is for me a non-traditional review format:

I liked the way this beer tasted, and would drink it again, but it's not really a Scotch Ale. In other words, I like what it is, but it isn't really what it says it is. It's much more like an English Brown Ale, though the more sweeter variety (Southern? I can't remember).

There's too much chocolate malt offering chocolate and roast, and not nearly enough toffee, caramel, nearly cloying fruitiness. Chelsea may have used the same techniques (long boil) for a Scotch Ale, I don't know, but the result is a reddish brown/red ale hybrid.

As it warms there's a sensational breadiness in the middle, however, which I really liked.

Again, this is a well crafted brew, but I think folks should know what to expect.

On tap at Rattle n Hum, NYC: 20oz pint:

A: Bar was dark, but it seemed to be an extremely dark brown with ruby highlights. 1-finger head was consistent and retained for a while, left a small cap pretty much the whole way down.

S: Super-malty of a chocolate sort, burnt butter, with a minty sidenote. Hops were there. Potent.

T: A certain spicy-bready quality, possibly black tea, complements the sweet chocolate malts. Intense.

M: Heavy.

D: Sweet, spicy, and malty with a touch of bitterness makes it remarkably complex. I could barely taste the bitter I had after it. It's great, but 20 oz was a bit much.

On draft at Waterfront Ale House, Brooklyn.

Poured a deep amber hue with a one finger frothy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a malty roasted malt with an earthy hop.

The taste consisted of a rich caramel, a robust toasted malt and a touch of smoke.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a very well done Scotch Ale.

This is fantastic! Had on draft at the Blind Tiger's VSK night, a "vintage" version, no less. Not sure how vintage it was, or whether it would hold up to aging, but my my, it certainly did. A beautiful deep copper color with a relatively thin head, a big burst of maple sugar in the nose, along with a hint ok smoky roastiness. Flavor is outstanding, not as sweet as the nose would suggest, but still full of juicy toffee goodness, maple, a bit of peat, and an earthy quality that I quite like. Finishes strong and smooth, and incredibly drinkable. This brewpub continues to impress me.

On cask at the Brazen Head's Tri-Annual Real Ale Cask Festival.

Medium brown color body with a reddish hue. Small head fades quickly leaving a decent lace for half the pint.
Heavy malt aroma with some caramel and toffee notes.
Taste is real smokey upfront. After the initial smoke flavor, you can find some roasted malt and toffee. Also some earthy/peaty notes which complement the smokey flavor well. However, the strong smoke flavor started to become a little cloying towards the end of the pint. Finishes slightly dry with a sweet aftertaste. 7.5 % abv is evident. This is a tasty brew with good complexity.