11 Pipers Piping
The Bruery
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 89
- Avg:
- 4.09 | pDev: 7.09%
- Reviews:
- 25
- Ratings:
- From:
- The Bruery
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 1
- Gots
- 7
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
Scotch-style ale with candi sugar and coriander.
Reviews: 25
| Ratings: 72
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4.49/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from fridge temp. Pours jet black with a good amount of cream head. Really unique nose - some nice chewing tobacco notes combined with coriander and molasses. The plum and raisins sneak in for a visit. The taste is fantastic. Definitely some sweetness, but not the caramel sweetness of big bourbon barrel-aged beers. This is the candi sweetness. Definitely a good amount of smoke, some coffee grinds, and a bit of soy sauce. The scotch provides a nice oak bitterness. You should probably like scotch before dipping into this one. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy. Very nice beer!
587 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from fridge temp. Pours jet black with a good amount of cream head. Really unique nose - some nice chewing tobacco notes combined with coriander and molasses. The plum and raisins sneak in for a visit. The taste is fantastic. Definitely some sweetness, but not the caramel sweetness of big bourbon barrel-aged beers. This is the candi sweetness. Definitely a good amount of smoke, some coffee grinds, and a bit of soy sauce. The scotch provides a nice oak bitterness. You should probably like scotch before dipping into this one. The mouthfeel is thick and creamy. Very nice beer!
587 characters
4.23/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. Bottled 10/10/18, had 4/2/20.
Pours a dark, brownish, ruby red, mostly opaque, with a one and a half inch foamy head and foamy lacing. Aromas of caramel, malt, dates, coriander, other spices, some cherries and plums, some figs, light cola, some chocolate, light smoke. The flavor is more focused- caramel, malt, coriander, other spices, dates, figs, chocolate, some plums. Smooth, a very good medium body, well carbonated.
Great example of the style and the coriander is a positive addition without being excessive. Much better than expected. Very enjoyable.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. Bottled 10/10/18, had 4/2/20.
Pours a dark, brownish, ruby red, mostly opaque, with a one and a half inch foamy head and foamy lacing. Aromas of caramel, malt, dates, coriander, other spices, some cherries and plums, some figs, light cola, some chocolate, light smoke. The flavor is more focused- caramel, malt, coriander, other spices, dates, figs, chocolate, some plums. Smooth, a very good medium body, well carbonated.
Great example of the style and the coriander is a positive addition without being excessive. Much better than expected. Very enjoyable.
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4.29/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Very dark, but not completely opaque. Not as dark as some scotch styles for sure.
S: Spices. Dark bread. Kind of a raisin bread thing going on here. Almost fruitcakey.
T: Damn, this is good. Spice cake, cocoa notes, burnt sugars/caramel. Finish is long and full of cocoa and spice.
F: Good medium heavy body, definitely an elegant feel for a scotch style. Finish on the dry side, but pleasantly so.
O: Love this one, one of my favs from the series this year.
478 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Very dark, but not completely opaque. Not as dark as some scotch styles for sure.
S: Spices. Dark bread. Kind of a raisin bread thing going on here. Almost fruitcakey.
T: Damn, this is good. Spice cake, cocoa notes, burnt sugars/caramel. Finish is long and full of cocoa and spice.
F: Good medium heavy body, definitely an elegant feel for a scotch style. Finish on the dry side, but pleasantly so.
O: Love this one, one of my favs from the series this year.
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4.12/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served in a teku glass from the bottle.
Appearance: Super dark amber to brown color with medium bubbles to the body with tan tinted white head rising about one full finger's length off the body.
Smell: bland aroma of whiskey and wood with notes of warm caramel. Light though.
Taste: sweet complex brew consisting of caramel with light whiskey and heavy malts. Lightly bitter with an extra sprinkle of brown sugar. Touch sweet but bitterness offsets it.
Mouth: Smooth bready finish which makes you think of the and smother of maple infused butter. It's sticky but needs just a touch more body.
Overall: held this one for a year, merry Christmas everyone. Well worth it, not going to wow you...unless you're new to this. Worth grabbing if you are ever so lucky. Salud!
776 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served in a teku glass from the bottle.
Appearance: Super dark amber to brown color with medium bubbles to the body with tan tinted white head rising about one full finger's length off the body.
Smell: bland aroma of whiskey and wood with notes of warm caramel. Light though.
Taste: sweet complex brew consisting of caramel with light whiskey and heavy malts. Lightly bitter with an extra sprinkle of brown sugar. Touch sweet but bitterness offsets it.
Mouth: Smooth bready finish which makes you think of the and smother of maple infused butter. It's sticky but needs just a touch more body.
Overall: held this one for a year, merry Christmas everyone. Well worth it, not going to wow you...unless you're new to this. Worth grabbing if you are ever so lucky. Salud!
776 characters
4.12/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: Stormy and dark. Rich chestnut roasting in the waning embers of a fire. Appears to pour clear form the btl, but its soul is dark. Coffee ice cream colored head, thick and puffy, and then whispy and dotted with a solid ring around the rim.
S: Red fleshed, clingstone plum...very vibrant with a slight astringency. Light brown sugar. Brown bread and cinnamon rolls. Peat and floral cardamom. It's been sitting a year, the zap the coriander seems lost.
M: Heavy-med body with a chewy, approachable feel and light dryness.
T: Warm, orange spiced cream on a raisiny-brown sugar dough; the missing coriander on the nose adds a nice citrus and cordiality to the flavor. Faint smoke and toasted coriander seed. The toast on it comes across quite astringent at times. It suffers in overall decadence with this brazen bitterness. Orange-clove, spiced winterberries afloat deeper notes of toffee, cocoa, and dates.
911 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A: Stormy and dark. Rich chestnut roasting in the waning embers of a fire. Appears to pour clear form the btl, but its soul is dark. Coffee ice cream colored head, thick and puffy, and then whispy and dotted with a solid ring around the rim.
S: Red fleshed, clingstone plum...very vibrant with a slight astringency. Light brown sugar. Brown bread and cinnamon rolls. Peat and floral cardamom. It's been sitting a year, the zap the coriander seems lost.
M: Heavy-med body with a chewy, approachable feel and light dryness.
T: Warm, orange spiced cream on a raisiny-brown sugar dough; the missing coriander on the nose adds a nice citrus and cordiality to the flavor. Faint smoke and toasted coriander seed. The toast on it comes across quite astringent at times. It suffers in overall decadence with this brazen bitterness. Orange-clove, spiced winterberries afloat deeper notes of toffee, cocoa, and dates.
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4.05/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from 750 mL bottle into snifter.
A: Pours an extremely dark caramel brown with 1-2 inch bubbly tan head with decent retention.
S: Sweet caramel malt, brown sugar, soft and floral herbal notes (hints of mint and coriander), soft cinnamon and raisin.
T: Sweet caramel malt and brown sugar with candi sugar quickly followed by the herbal notes (mint, coriander, and cinnamon), then shifts toward bready yeast and dark dried fruit.
M: Medium heavy body. Sweet with a slightly oily feel. Lingers and matures nicely on the palate.
D: An interesting take on style with the herbal coriander addition. Not the best in the series, but still quite solid.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from 750 mL bottle into snifter.
A: Pours an extremely dark caramel brown with 1-2 inch bubbly tan head with decent retention.
S: Sweet caramel malt, brown sugar, soft and floral herbal notes (hints of mint and coriander), soft cinnamon and raisin.
T: Sweet caramel malt and brown sugar with candi sugar quickly followed by the herbal notes (mint, coriander, and cinnamon), then shifts toward bready yeast and dark dried fruit.
M: Medium heavy body. Sweet with a slightly oily feel. Lingers and matures nicely on the palate.
D: An interesting take on style with the herbal coriander addition. Not the best in the series, but still quite solid.
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4.52/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sweet, semi-thick, tasty and boozy. Would definitely buy again. Can't drink it all night long- it's a little TOO thick/sweet for that. But a bottle is perfect dosage. Recommended for sure
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Sweet, semi-thick, tasty and boozy. Would definitely buy again. Can't drink it all night long- it's a little TOO thick/sweet for that. But a bottle is perfect dosage. Recommended for sure
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4.02/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is pretty much what I'd expect a Bruery Wee Heavy to be like. It looks great and has a characteristic sweetness to it but God knows why they added coriander to it because that does NOTHING for me. Too bad, it could've been a contender.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is pretty much what I'd expect a Bruery Wee Heavy to be like. It looks great and has a characteristic sweetness to it but God knows why they added coriander to it because that does NOTHING for me. Too bad, it could've been a contender.
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3.67/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750mL bottle from Sprayberry Bottle Shop (Marietta, GA). 12.99. Bottled 10/22/18. Served in a Bruery teku. Enjoyed 2/12/19.
Pours a ruddy chestnut with a huge pale khaki head. The tall froth gradually shrinks to a few small wisps, a modest ring around the edges and some small scattered dots of lace.
The aromas are quite sweet. The candi sugar is immediately apparent, as is a fruity Belgian yeast note. Toffee, caramel, sweetened toast and something that I perceive as slightly chocolatey.
The flavors combine many aspects I expect from both Scotch and Belgian ales as toffee and caramel meet dark fruity yeast and sugar cane. Cereal grain, a vaguely floral spice, wet hay, faint cocoa, strong tea and an assertive alcohol note.
Medium full feel with plenty of carbonation. The coriander steps out with almost distracting strength in the finish, adding an earthy spice to an otherwise sweet blend of toffee, dark fruity yeast and cereal.
The Bruery is already up to 11 in their days of Christmas. 11 Pipers Piping adds a pleasant quad-like character to a seemingly well-constructed Scotch ale but for my tastes the coriander is a bit out of left field.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750mL bottle from Sprayberry Bottle Shop (Marietta, GA). 12.99. Bottled 10/22/18. Served in a Bruery teku. Enjoyed 2/12/19.
Pours a ruddy chestnut with a huge pale khaki head. The tall froth gradually shrinks to a few small wisps, a modest ring around the edges and some small scattered dots of lace.
The aromas are quite sweet. The candi sugar is immediately apparent, as is a fruity Belgian yeast note. Toffee, caramel, sweetened toast and something that I perceive as slightly chocolatey.
The flavors combine many aspects I expect from both Scotch and Belgian ales as toffee and caramel meet dark fruity yeast and sugar cane. Cereal grain, a vaguely floral spice, wet hay, faint cocoa, strong tea and an assertive alcohol note.
Medium full feel with plenty of carbonation. The coriander steps out with almost distracting strength in the finish, adding an earthy spice to an otherwise sweet blend of toffee, dark fruity yeast and cereal.
The Bruery is already up to 11 in their days of Christmas. 11 Pipers Piping adds a pleasant quad-like character to a seemingly well-constructed Scotch ale but for my tastes the coriander is a bit out of left field.
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4.08/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is very close to appearing to be black in color—only traces of dark red are present near the edges of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a short light beige head that left a wide collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of candi sugars are present in the nose along with hints of dark fruits.
T: The taste has flavors of dark fruits along with notes of candi sugars and associated sweetness. The dark fruits become stronger as the beer warms up.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer has nice flavors of dark fruits and candi sugars but seems a little lighter in body compared to other beers in the style.
Serving type: can
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is very close to appearing to be black in color—only traces of dark red are present near the edges of the glass when it is held up to a bright light. It poured with a short light beige head that left a wide collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of candi sugars are present in the nose along with hints of dark fruits.
T: The taste has flavors of dark fruits along with notes of candi sugars and associated sweetness. The dark fruits become stronger as the beer warms up.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer has nice flavors of dark fruits and candi sugars but seems a little lighter in body compared to other beers in the style.
Serving type: can
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4.52/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: One finger orange head, dark brown body.
Smell: See below.
Taste: Caramel, mild dark fruit, mild peat, mild burnt sugar.
Feel: Medium body, medium-low carbonation. Balanced upfront and in finish. Warming alcohol presence.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: One finger orange head, dark brown body.
Smell: See below.
Taste: Caramel, mild dark fruit, mild peat, mild burnt sugar.
Feel: Medium body, medium-low carbonation. Balanced upfront and in finish. Warming alcohol presence.
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4.9/5 rDev +19.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Pint Defiance tulip. The body is an opaque dark brown, with a two finger creamy orange tinted head. Aromas consist of dark fruit, caramel, peaty malt, toffee, and baking spice. Not much coriander going on. Flavors are the same. I probably would have gone with a different spice other than coriander, as the base beer seems to have overwhelmed it. The feel is medium bodied with lowish carbonation. Overall, a super tasty scotch ale, but the coriander doesn't seem like it had much effect on the flavor or aroma.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Pint Defiance tulip. The body is an opaque dark brown, with a two finger creamy orange tinted head. Aromas consist of dark fruit, caramel, peaty malt, toffee, and baking spice. Not much coriander going on. Flavors are the same. I probably would have gone with a different spice other than coriander, as the base beer seems to have overwhelmed it. The feel is medium bodied with lowish carbonation. Overall, a super tasty scotch ale, but the coriander doesn't seem like it had much effect on the flavor or aroma.
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4.25/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: Dark burgundy. Big, small-bubble tannish head on the pour. Messy, lingering lacing.
smell: Dark fruits and sweet candi sugar. Hints of spice.
taste: Much like the nose, but the coriander is more prominent. a nice, lightly spicy finish.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: Dark burgundy. Big, small-bubble tannish head on the pour. Messy, lingering lacing.
smell: Dark fruits and sweet candi sugar. Hints of spice.
taste: Much like the nose, but the coriander is more prominent. a nice, lightly spicy finish.
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4.05/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle. Poured out an opaque, dark, dark brown color with a very small, tan head of foam. It smelled of bourbon, malt, toffee and candi sugar. Boozy and sweet with roasted malt, some smokiness, peat and oak flavors.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle. Poured out an opaque, dark, dark brown color with a very small, tan head of foam. It smelled of bourbon, malt, toffee and candi sugar. Boozy and sweet with roasted malt, some smokiness, peat and oak flavors.
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4.3/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Let me say this upfront, I love Scotch ales. This is a stupendous example. Poured into a goblet. Good looking to start. Deep dark walnut brown with a light brown head. Some decent lacing and a light covering. Quite clear and in line with the style.
Nose is great. The list of aromas is long. Sweet toffee and burnt caramel as is typical of the style. Lots of malt. Biscuit, toasted to roasted. Mild chocolaty overtones of brown bread and molasses. The list of fruits is endless. Figs, dates, raisins, plums, a touch of banana and typical notes of yeasty Brit type fruitiness. Corriander, cherries and dark candi sugar with a rum like alcohol. Surprisingly there are a few lighter fruit aromas as well. Most notably a bit of grape. A healthy hop earthiness grounds all the sweetness in something that blends with the light peppery bite of warming booze.
Taste follows and really knocks it out of the park . Rich dark malts up front that express a surprising but welcome amount of biscuit and toasted grains. The roasted flavors underpin so much of the sweeter flavors. The molasses and candi. The huge amount of toffee and lightly burnt caramel. Flavors you expect in an Scotch ale. Then it really lays out the cornucopia. Flavors that come from the bigger malt body and and more intricate construction. Notes of cocoa, rum, coriander, latte smooth coffee. The hops are earthy with a bit of wood and maybe some horse blanket the has been refined in cherries and more rum. The finish is smooth and while warming, lower in booziness than you might think at 11 percent. It's quite dry and clean. A firm earth and dry sherry like juiciness combine to leave my mouth watering and enjoying graham and cocoa that lingers with a touch of fusel alcohol evaporative cooling and sweetness as well as a bit of coconuttiness or maybe a touch of smores. The alcohol is so well integrated that it is almost hidden. Almost.
Feel is thickish and creamy. A bit of syrup and a smoothness with a crisp dry swallow. Velvet on the tongue and mouth. A velvet hammer. So easy drinking and pleasurable as you sip. You find yourself at the bottom of the bottle way too quickly, and wanting more way too much.
This is one of the best in the series. Period. I will be looking for more of these. It's just a perfect injection of an different stye into a collection that has been dominated by Belgians. And I love Belgians. This is a welcome surprise.
2,429 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Let me say this upfront, I love Scotch ales. This is a stupendous example. Poured into a goblet. Good looking to start. Deep dark walnut brown with a light brown head. Some decent lacing and a light covering. Quite clear and in line with the style.
Nose is great. The list of aromas is long. Sweet toffee and burnt caramel as is typical of the style. Lots of malt. Biscuit, toasted to roasted. Mild chocolaty overtones of brown bread and molasses. The list of fruits is endless. Figs, dates, raisins, plums, a touch of banana and typical notes of yeasty Brit type fruitiness. Corriander, cherries and dark candi sugar with a rum like alcohol. Surprisingly there are a few lighter fruit aromas as well. Most notably a bit of grape. A healthy hop earthiness grounds all the sweetness in something that blends with the light peppery bite of warming booze.
Taste follows and really knocks it out of the park . Rich dark malts up front that express a surprising but welcome amount of biscuit and toasted grains. The roasted flavors underpin so much of the sweeter flavors. The molasses and candi. The huge amount of toffee and lightly burnt caramel. Flavors you expect in an Scotch ale. Then it really lays out the cornucopia. Flavors that come from the bigger malt body and and more intricate construction. Notes of cocoa, rum, coriander, latte smooth coffee. The hops are earthy with a bit of wood and maybe some horse blanket the has been refined in cherries and more rum. The finish is smooth and while warming, lower in booziness than you might think at 11 percent. It's quite dry and clean. A firm earth and dry sherry like juiciness combine to leave my mouth watering and enjoying graham and cocoa that lingers with a touch of fusel alcohol evaporative cooling and sweetness as well as a bit of coconuttiness or maybe a touch of smores. The alcohol is so well integrated that it is almost hidden. Almost.
Feel is thickish and creamy. A bit of syrup and a smoothness with a crisp dry swallow. Velvet on the tongue and mouth. A velvet hammer. So easy drinking and pleasurable as you sip. You find yourself at the bottom of the bottle way too quickly, and wanting more way too much.
This is one of the best in the series. Period. I will be looking for more of these. It's just a perfect injection of an different stye into a collection that has been dominated by Belgians. And I love Belgians. This is a welcome surprise.
2,429 characters
4.24/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a The Bruery tulip. Pours a very dark mahogany brown with a one finger khaki head with good retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dark caramel and biscuit malt, dates, raisins, light suggestions of light stone fruit, coriander and a hint of smoke. Flavor follows, with dark biscuit and light caramel malt, dates, raisins, light plum and apricot, a little peat and nuts. Pleasant malty and faintly smoky finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess and sharp carbonation. A unexpected change from the more Belgian inspired offering of past years and a quite pleasant one. Covers all the bases of a malty Scotch ale, but with well integrated flavors that give it a mellow, but flavorful taste. Drank this on Christmas eve with my sister, who is a fan of Belgian style ales and she liked it as much as I did. A festive, balanced winter ale that I think is one of the best of the series. Enjoyable.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a The Bruery tulip. Pours a very dark mahogany brown with a one finger khaki head with good retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dark caramel and biscuit malt, dates, raisins, light suggestions of light stone fruit, coriander and a hint of smoke. Flavor follows, with dark biscuit and light caramel malt, dates, raisins, light plum and apricot, a little peat and nuts. Pleasant malty and faintly smoky finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess and sharp carbonation. A unexpected change from the more Belgian inspired offering of past years and a quite pleasant one. Covers all the bases of a malty Scotch ale, but with well integrated flavors that give it a mellow, but flavorful taste. Drank this on Christmas eve with my sister, who is a fan of Belgian style ales and she liked it as much as I did. A festive, balanced winter ale that I think is one of the best of the series. Enjoyable.
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4/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750 ml bottle into snifter, bottled on 10/22/2018. Pours slightly hazy/cloudy very dark ruby red/brown color with a 1-2 finger dense and fluffy khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big caramel, brown sugar, toffee, raisin, plum, prune, cherry, fig, date, pear, apricot, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark/brown bread crust; with lighter notes of molasses, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, smoke, leather, tobacco, wood, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/bready/light roast malts, brown sugar, coriander, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big caramel, brown sugar, toffee, raisin, plum, prune, cherry, fig, date, pear, apricot, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark/brown bread crust; with lighter notes of molasses, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, smoke, leather, tobacco, wood, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery, roasted bitterness; and coriander spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, dark fruit, cherry, pear, apricot, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, dark/brown bread crust, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, smoke, leather, tobacco, wood, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready/light roast malts, brown sugar, coriander, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop flavors; with a nice malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and no cloying sweetness after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering hop/roast bitterness and spiciness. Medium carbonation and fairly full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/bready/grainy, and lightly sticky/chalky mouthfeel that is great. Mildly increasing warmth of 11% after the finish. Overall this is an excellent scotch ale. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready/light roast malts, brown sugar, coriander, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the big ABV. Tons of great complexity all around. Awesome balance of rich malts, sugar, coriander, and fruity yeast complexity; with solid earthy hop presence. Not overly sweet/heavy from lingering dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example as expected of the brewery.
2,638 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750 ml bottle into snifter, bottled on 10/22/2018. Pours slightly hazy/cloudy very dark ruby red/brown color with a 1-2 finger dense and fluffy khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big caramel, brown sugar, toffee, raisin, plum, prune, cherry, fig, date, pear, apricot, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark/brown bread crust; with lighter notes of molasses, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, smoke, leather, tobacco, wood, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/bready/light roast malts, brown sugar, coriander, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop notes; with great strength. Taste of big caramel, brown sugar, toffee, raisin, plum, prune, cherry, fig, date, pear, apricot, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, and dark/brown bread crust; with lighter notes of molasses, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, smoke, leather, tobacco, wood, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness. Light herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery, roasted bitterness; and coriander spiciness on the finish. Lingering notes of caramel, brown sugar, dark fruit, cherry, pear, apricot, red apple, coriander, peppercorn, roasted nuts, toasted biscuit, dark/brown bread crust, molasses, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, smoke, leather, tobacco, wood, herbal, floral, grass, and yeast/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready/light roast malts, brown sugar, coriander, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop flavors; with a nice malt/bitter/spiciness balance, and no cloying sweetness after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering hop/roast bitterness and spiciness. Medium carbonation and fairly full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/bready/grainy, and lightly sticky/chalky mouthfeel that is great. Mildly increasing warmth of 11% after the finish. Overall this is an excellent scotch ale. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready/light roast malts, brown sugar, coriander, fruity yeast, and light-moderate earthy hop flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the big ABV. Tons of great complexity all around. Awesome balance of rich malts, sugar, coriander, and fruity yeast complexity; with solid earthy hop presence. Not overly sweet/heavy from lingering dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and spot on style example as expected of the brewery.
2,638 characters
3.99/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Look: It pours dark brown with a brown head. Head retention is good.
Smell: It has aromas of toffee and dark fruit plums. There is a bit of sweetness in the nose with some sharp spiciness.
Taste: It has strong toffee flavors with a bit of chocolate. There are dark fruit flavor that are mostly plums. It has a spiciness to it with some cherry as well.
Feel: It has a moderately full body. The finish is a bit sweet with the cherry really be highlighted there.
Overall, it is a beer that is highlighted with the toffee and the other flavors working with it in a supporting role.
585 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Look: It pours dark brown with a brown head. Head retention is good.
Smell: It has aromas of toffee and dark fruit plums. There is a bit of sweetness in the nose with some sharp spiciness.
Taste: It has strong toffee flavors with a bit of chocolate. There are dark fruit flavor that are mostly plums. It has a spiciness to it with some cherry as well.
Feel: It has a moderately full body. The finish is a bit sweet with the cherry really be highlighted there.
Overall, it is a beer that is highlighted with the toffee and the other flavors working with it in a supporting role.
585 characters
4.1/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Based on the name, you pretty much knew a Scotch ale was coming for like a decade, right? As a huge Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale fan, Ive been looking forward to this one and Im not disappointed. Its a malty, sugary, slightly spicy beer with a pleasant, warming trickle all the way down to your belly. One of my favs in the holiday series so far and next year, when they inevitably release the BA version, yours truly will be ALL OVER that.
432 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Based on the name, you pretty much knew a Scotch ale was coming for like a decade, right? As a huge Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale fan, Ive been looking forward to this one and Im not disappointed. Its a malty, sugary, slightly spicy beer with a pleasant, warming trickle all the way down to your belly. One of my favs in the holiday series so far and next year, when they inevitably release the BA version, yours truly will be ALL OVER that.
432 characters
3.92/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This tastes like an odd scottish christmas cookie. Has a baking spice and sugary feel in the body. Good contrasting smoke and sweetness in taste. Toffee, candi sugar, coriander, soil, peat smoke, smooth malts and short bread all fill the palate. On smell more distinguished, where in taste they get a little muddled together. Decent booziness on the finish of sips as well.
378 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This tastes like an odd scottish christmas cookie. Has a baking spice and sugary feel in the body. Good contrasting smoke and sweetness in taste. Toffee, candi sugar, coriander, soil, peat smoke, smooth malts and short bread all fill the palate. On smell more distinguished, where in taste they get a little muddled together. Decent booziness on the finish of sips as well.
378 characters
4.12/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a large, thick bottle, this brew is a dark hickory color with slight head. The aroma has intense malt notes....a hint of fruit, caramel, and coriander spice. The taste is sugary and has a little alcohol warmth. Full in body and flavorful. Wonderful.
258 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a large, thick bottle, this brew is a dark hickory color with slight head. The aroma has intense malt notes....a hint of fruit, caramel, and coriander spice. The taste is sugary and has a little alcohol warmth. Full in body and flavorful. Wonderful.
258 characters
4.43/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
this one is woefully underrated here on BA in my opinion, an amazing and really different holiday beer, easily my favorite from the series over the past handful of years. when i saw the label, i was literally engaged in a conversation that was pondering why one would put coriander in a scotch ale, it sounds like a weird and unnatural fusion of styles and ingredients, especially with the candy sugar, but the price was fair, and i kind of unequivocally trust the bruery. im glad i did, this was a highlight of our christmas beer session, its like nothing i have ever had before, and offers something decidedly different from the cinnamon and clove and vanilla everyone wants to use this time of year to make beer festive. this has a beautiful deep mahogany color to it, a high rising white belgian looking head, and wonderful lace and clarity, really attractive brew in the glass, its size is evident too though, long legs and some viscosity, though quite obviously well carbonated at the same time. aroma and flavor are identical, with the flavor being just a little more pungent to me, which i love. the coriander has a nice toasted earthy note, not floral and herbaceous like it can sometimes be, and the candy sugar and the deep malt base give the more the vibe of a complex quad than of a scotch ale, although that nutty kilned malt warmth and light peat element keep it scotchy too, its a nice hybrid between the two really. i dont get a lot of flavor from the yeast, but i dont really need it, and its still easy to admire the fermentation here, its clean for how big it is and how sweet in the middle, and it really gives an uplifting feel to this in the right places, it doesnt drink as heavy as it should for its strength, even though i can taste the alcohol a bit. toasted breads, rum soaked raisins, dark dried fruits, brown sugar, and the coriander late. its nuanced and complex and positively delicious. this might have been my favorite of the holiday beers in our lineup, and stands as one of the best in this series. enormously impressive!
edit: this has aged super well too, a bit more than a year now and its just money, so mellow, not too sweet, no real sign of its strength either, i mean its a big beer but its not all the boozy for what it is, amazingly complex and just delicious to me. maybe my favorite scotch ale ive ever had to be honest, i adore this! every bit as good the second time around, and definitely worth the price!
2,456 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
this one is woefully underrated here on BA in my opinion, an amazing and really different holiday beer, easily my favorite from the series over the past handful of years. when i saw the label, i was literally engaged in a conversation that was pondering why one would put coriander in a scotch ale, it sounds like a weird and unnatural fusion of styles and ingredients, especially with the candy sugar, but the price was fair, and i kind of unequivocally trust the bruery. im glad i did, this was a highlight of our christmas beer session, its like nothing i have ever had before, and offers something decidedly different from the cinnamon and clove and vanilla everyone wants to use this time of year to make beer festive. this has a beautiful deep mahogany color to it, a high rising white belgian looking head, and wonderful lace and clarity, really attractive brew in the glass, its size is evident too though, long legs and some viscosity, though quite obviously well carbonated at the same time. aroma and flavor are identical, with the flavor being just a little more pungent to me, which i love. the coriander has a nice toasted earthy note, not floral and herbaceous like it can sometimes be, and the candy sugar and the deep malt base give the more the vibe of a complex quad than of a scotch ale, although that nutty kilned malt warmth and light peat element keep it scotchy too, its a nice hybrid between the two really. i dont get a lot of flavor from the yeast, but i dont really need it, and its still easy to admire the fermentation here, its clean for how big it is and how sweet in the middle, and it really gives an uplifting feel to this in the right places, it doesnt drink as heavy as it should for its strength, even though i can taste the alcohol a bit. toasted breads, rum soaked raisins, dark dried fruits, brown sugar, and the coriander late. its nuanced and complex and positively delicious. this might have been my favorite of the holiday beers in our lineup, and stands as one of the best in this series. enormously impressive!
edit: this has aged super well too, a bit more than a year now and its just money, so mellow, not too sweet, no real sign of its strength either, i mean its a big beer but its not all the boozy for what it is, amazingly complex and just delicious to me. maybe my favorite scotch ale ive ever had to be honest, i adore this! every bit as good the second time around, and definitely worth the price!
2,456 characters
3.67/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured a brown, almost black body with minimal head and lace. Spicy, malty, boozy aroma. Spicy, boozy taste as the spice blends in with the booze for a heated sweet taste (thanks to malts) and finishes a little muddled.
221 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured a brown, almost black body with minimal head and lace. Spicy, malty, boozy aroma. Spicy, boozy taste as the spice blends in with the booze for a heated sweet taste (thanks to malts) and finishes a little muddled.
221 characters
3.81/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark brown color and a thick, opaque consistency. There was a 3/4", creamy, off white, fairly long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.
S: A good, but not stunning, aroma of malt, spices, a sugary quality, and some caramel.
T: Tasted of a light amount of hops (barely noticeable), a good shot of sweet malt (present throughout), a somewhat boozy quality, a little coriander, a bit of caramel, and some candi sugar. This is kind of a thin flavor. All the ingredients are there for something good, but it comes off as a little thin and slightly watery. Still, it's not awful.
F: A good amount of carbonation with a sharp finish. Medium-bodied.
O: This is an uneven beer, but it has likable aspects. Worth a look.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark brown color and a thick, opaque consistency. There was a 3/4", creamy, off white, fairly long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.
S: A good, but not stunning, aroma of malt, spices, a sugary quality, and some caramel.
T: Tasted of a light amount of hops (barely noticeable), a good shot of sweet malt (present throughout), a somewhat boozy quality, a little coriander, a bit of caramel, and some candi sugar. This is kind of a thin flavor. All the ingredients are there for something good, but it comes off as a little thin and slightly watery. Still, it's not awful.
F: A good amount of carbonation with a sharp finish. Medium-bodied.
O: This is an uneven beer, but it has likable aspects. Worth a look.
759 characters
3.95/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark brown root beer color with thick foamy head dissipating into a ring of foamy bubbles and a bit of lacing.Nose is fairly mild with hints of sweet malt and whiffs of coriander. Taste follows with more noticeably pronounced sweetness and coriander. Feels a bit on the thin side for the style. Not sure if I like the coriander ,seems a bit too heavy in the mix.
375 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark brown root beer color with thick foamy head dissipating into a ring of foamy bubbles and a bit of lacing.Nose is fairly mild with hints of sweet malt and whiffs of coriander. Taste follows with more noticeably pronounced sweetness and coriander. Feels a bit on the thin side for the style. Not sure if I like the coriander ,seems a bit too heavy in the mix.
375 characters
11 Pipers Piping from The Bruery
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
72 ratings
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