Winter Scotch Ale | St. George Brewing Company, The
Brewed by:
St. George Brewing Company, The
Virginia, United States
stgeorgebrewingco.com
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by DaveBlack on 11-02-2010
Reviews: 23 | Ratings: 51
3.65/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle, poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a pretty, cloudy, golden amber/copper color with an eighth of a finger of white head that quickly dissolved into a thin lacing of foam that partially covered the top of the beer.
Aroma: Malty up front, imparting notes of biscuits, followed by some black pepper, caramel, clover and some subtle hops.
Taste: Very nice. Malty up front, imparting notes of biscuits or English muffins, followed by some nuttiness, brown-sugar like sweetness, finished with some nicely balanced hops.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, with some decent carbonation to tickle the taste buds. With an ABV of 6.0%, there is no presence of alcohol on the palate.
Overall: This is a good American version of a Scotch ale. Good malty backbone balanced well with some sweetness and hops. Nice and worth a try.
★ 843 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle, poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Pours a pretty, cloudy, golden amber/copper color with an eighth of a finger of white head that quickly dissolved into a thin lacing of foam that partially covered the top of the beer.
Aroma: Malty up front, imparting notes of biscuits, followed by some black pepper, caramel, clover and some subtle hops.
Taste: Very nice. Malty up front, imparting notes of biscuits or English muffins, followed by some nuttiness, brown-sugar like sweetness, finished with some nicely balanced hops.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, with some decent carbonation to tickle the taste buds. With an ABV of 6.0%, there is no presence of alcohol on the palate.
Overall: This is a good American version of a Scotch ale. Good malty backbone balanced well with some sweetness and hops. Nice and worth a try.
★ 843 characters
3.91/5 rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
A good friend texted me about a store selling 6 packs for $3.99 knowing I am typically a fan of Scotch ales. For that price I had to give it a try. Good looking good beer with an excellent smell. Tasty, typically a fan of wee heavy's and this one is a decent light version. The beer gets some good bonus points overall for value. Good beer that I enjoyed and wish I had him pick up a case rather than a 6 for that price.
★ 420 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
A good friend texted me about a store selling 6 packs for $3.99 knowing I am typically a fan of Scotch ales. For that price I had to give it a try. Good looking good beer with an excellent smell. Tasty, typically a fan of wee heavy's and this one is a decent light version. The beer gets some good bonus points overall for value. Good beer that I enjoyed and wish I had him pick up a case rather than a 6 for that price.
★ 420 characters
3.31/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
12 oz bottle poured into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a orange yellow, very cloudy, with a fluffy white head. Smells of sweet grain, nothing really stands out. Tastes of grain with a tad of aging like from a barrel. Beer carbonated well light body goes down nice. Overall a slightly above average beer.
★ 301 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
12 oz bottle poured into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a orange yellow, very cloudy, with a fluffy white head. Smells of sweet grain, nothing really stands out. Tastes of grain with a tad of aging like from a barrel. Beer carbonated well light body goes down nice. Overall a slightly above average beer.
★ 301 characters
3/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I have never been with any of the beers from st george. Its a shame since they are a local brewery. Would really like to have this be better.
Probably the palest scratch ale I have ever seen. I don't think it tastes or looks like a Scotch ale. Definitely not very sweet, the mouth feel isn't at all sticky like decent scotch ales.
I gave this beer a 3 across the board. Average in Every way. I won't be picking this upon again.
★ 428 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I have never been with any of the beers from st george. Its a shame since they are a local brewery. Would really like to have this be better.
Probably the palest scratch ale I have ever seen. I don't think it tastes or looks like a Scotch ale. Definitely not very sweet, the mouth feel isn't at all sticky like decent scotch ales.
I gave this beer a 3 across the board. Average in Every way. I won't be picking this upon again.
★ 428 characters
3.94/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy honey gold pour with 1/2 finger medium cream head. No retention and very little lace.
Nose is strong peat, honey, iced tea, light earthy metal, and ... bacon. Very interesting. Metals cancel out the peat, but the bacon is interesting.
Big tea and peat taste. Very nice and moderately smoky. Tannin from the tea really kicks in at the end. Bready malt inserts itself in there over that tannin.
Feel is moderate and matches the flavors.
Overall, not a great beer but as a fan of Scotch ales I would seek this one out.
★ 526 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy honey gold pour with 1/2 finger medium cream head. No retention and very little lace.
Nose is strong peat, honey, iced tea, light earthy metal, and ... bacon. Very interesting. Metals cancel out the peat, but the bacon is interesting.
Big tea and peat taste. Very nice and moderately smoky. Tannin from the tea really kicks in at the end. Bready malt inserts itself in there over that tannin.
Feel is moderate and matches the flavors.
Overall, not a great beer but as a fan of Scotch ales I would seek this one out.
★ 526 characters
3.84/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I haven't reviewed a beer in who the hell knows how long, so you can probably safely ignore this.
Dark amber in appearance, golden honey-colored at the edges. Ivory, creamy head is never high and quickly reduces to a thin film across the top of the brew with a slightly thicker ring at the edge.
Smells of peaty, smoky malt, clover honey, and apple fruitiness.
Taste mirrors the nose closely with smoked peat, corn syrup, and honey flavors. Faint pear-like notes. Distant touch of tea-like hops that do little to balance.
Carbonation is relatively low. Feels a little heavier than the lowish level of alcohol would suggest...kind of syrupy.
Reminiscent of Belhaven's flagship...a lower-alcohol Scottish Ale (think that, as a Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy on BA as opposed to a Scottish Ale, it may be miscategorized, but I'll leave that question to the philosophers) that capably holds its own as a malty cold-weather seasonal.
★ 928 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I haven't reviewed a beer in who the hell knows how long, so you can probably safely ignore this.
Dark amber in appearance, golden honey-colored at the edges. Ivory, creamy head is never high and quickly reduces to a thin film across the top of the brew with a slightly thicker ring at the edge.
Smells of peaty, smoky malt, clover honey, and apple fruitiness.
Taste mirrors the nose closely with smoked peat, corn syrup, and honey flavors. Faint pear-like notes. Distant touch of tea-like hops that do little to balance.
Carbonation is relatively low. Feels a little heavier than the lowish level of alcohol would suggest...kind of syrupy.
Reminiscent of Belhaven's flagship...a lower-alcohol Scottish Ale (think that, as a Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy on BA as opposed to a Scottish Ale, it may be miscategorized, but I'll leave that question to the philosophers) that capably holds its own as a malty cold-weather seasonal.
★ 928 characters
2.8/5 rDev -22.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Aroma - Sweet malt aroma with a slight vegital hint at the end. No hop aroma of note.
Appearance - Very clear, solid head with a tan lace that tried to cling to the glass.
Flavor - Slight bitterness but muted to balance more to the malt side. Moderate toasty malt flavor with a very slight caramel note. Some toffee or buttery notes.
Mouthfeel - Slippery mouthfeel, possibly from Diacetyl. I initially thought the buttery flavor was from kettle aramelization, but it might actually be Diacetly.
Overall - This isn't a Wee heavy and it isn't a Scotch session beer. Over all it was rather boring with a possibly flawed fermentation. Average beer. Too bad there are not many examples of the lower gravity Scotch Ales to compare to.
★ 736 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Aroma - Sweet malt aroma with a slight vegital hint at the end. No hop aroma of note.
Appearance - Very clear, solid head with a tan lace that tried to cling to the glass.
Flavor - Slight bitterness but muted to balance more to the malt side. Moderate toasty malt flavor with a very slight caramel note. Some toffee or buttery notes.
Mouthfeel - Slippery mouthfeel, possibly from Diacetyl. I initially thought the buttery flavor was from kettle aramelization, but it might actually be Diacetly.
Overall - This isn't a Wee heavy and it isn't a Scotch session beer. Over all it was rather boring with a possibly flawed fermentation. Average beer. Too bad there are not many examples of the lower gravity Scotch Ales to compare to.
★ 736 characters
3/5 rDev -17.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A- pours a ruby reddish color with half a finger of off white head. Ok head retention.
S- aromas of dry caramel chew with a hint of smokiness.
T-Bready malt flavor with a hint caramel chew. Slight smoky in the middle. Finishes with a toasty nutty malt flavor and a heavy handed asprin character.
MF- slick oily mouthfeel with a light medium body and average carbonation.
D- drinkability is decent.
Overall a very light boring example of a scotch ale.
★ 455 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A- pours a ruby reddish color with half a finger of off white head. Ok head retention.
S- aromas of dry caramel chew with a hint of smokiness.
T-Bready malt flavor with a hint caramel chew. Slight smoky in the middle. Finishes with a toasty nutty malt flavor and a heavy handed asprin character.
MF- slick oily mouthfeel with a light medium body and average carbonation.
D- drinkability is decent.
Overall a very light boring example of a scotch ale.
★ 455 characters
3.73/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer pours a fair dark, almost amber color. Head is decent, some lacing is present down the line. Smell is relatively light, mostly of malt. Taste is also malt-heavy, but some hops add balance. Mouthfeel is smooth. Overall a good beer. It is neither too strong nor too thin-bodied and there is certainly a niche for it at times.
★ 333 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This beer pours a fair dark, almost amber color. Head is decent, some lacing is present down the line. Smell is relatively light, mostly of malt. Taste is also malt-heavy, but some hops add balance. Mouthfeel is smooth. Overall a good beer. It is neither too strong nor too thin-bodied and there is certainly a niche for it at times.
★ 333 characters
4.19/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Pours a deep reddish bronze with a small white head that quickly dissipates. Aromas of sweet malts remiscent of caramel corn or caramel apples are good but subdued. Fortunately, this beer's best quality is the one that counts: the flavor is awesome. The malts are complex and interesting to no end. From the front to the mid palates, I get a fascinating interplay of toffee, sweetened tea, and earthiness. Woody, non-sweet natural flavors linger on the finish. Makes for memorable sipping.
★ 489 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
Pours a deep reddish bronze with a small white head that quickly dissipates. Aromas of sweet malts remiscent of caramel corn or caramel apples are good but subdued. Fortunately, this beer's best quality is the one that counts: the flavor is awesome. The malts are complex and interesting to no end. From the front to the mid palates, I get a fascinating interplay of toffee, sweetened tea, and earthiness. Woody, non-sweet natural flavors linger on the finish. Makes for memorable sipping.
★ 489 characters
3.48/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours amber brown, some orange. Head is off-white, and pretty thin, less than a finger, and disappears quite quickly. Nose is pretty disappointing, a slight hint of caramel, but basically just smells like your standard beer.
Taste focuses on maltyness, with a significant amount of molasses. Not the strongest scotch ale I've had, but its pretty well balanced altogether. Medium-light body, with a tinge of carbonation, just a bit light for the style. Overall a good drink, not the best, but alright.
★ 501 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours amber brown, some orange. Head is off-white, and pretty thin, less than a finger, and disappears quite quickly. Nose is pretty disappointing, a slight hint of caramel, but basically just smells like your standard beer.
Taste focuses on maltyness, with a significant amount of molasses. Not the strongest scotch ale I've had, but its pretty well balanced altogether. Medium-light body, with a tinge of carbonation, just a bit light for the style. Overall a good drink, not the best, but alright.
★ 501 characters
3.67/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a lighter brown color, clear some orange tints. Head is small khaki in color falls fast not much lace.
Aroma is malty sweet rich caramel notes some light plums with some light earthy notes.
Taste is like nose sweet caramel malts with loads of earthy notes peat mixed with plums . Some herbal hop notes in finish along with hints of pear?
Mouthfeel is light medium with lightly peppy carbonation, probably where this one falls little short seems a little light for a Wee Heavy.
Drinkability however is pretty good an enjoyable enough brew.
★ 548 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a lighter brown color, clear some orange tints. Head is small khaki in color falls fast not much lace.
Aroma is malty sweet rich caramel notes some light plums with some light earthy notes.
Taste is like nose sweet caramel malts with loads of earthy notes peat mixed with plums . Some herbal hop notes in finish along with hints of pear?
Mouthfeel is light medium with lightly peppy carbonation, probably where this one falls little short seems a little light for a Wee Heavy.
Drinkability however is pretty good an enjoyable enough brew.
★ 548 characters
4.22/5 rDev +16.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Served in a standard pint glass.
A - Crystal clear brownish red coloration. Small bit of froth, mild retention and lace.
S - Sweet on the nose, most likely the caramel malts. Slightly grassy.
T - Nicely balanced malt sweetness with a good grassy hop backing. I was expecting something heavier than this, like Skullsplitter, but was pleasantly surprised.
M - Light bodied, good carbonation, clean finish.
D - Delicious. Paired quite well with BBQ. I'd definitely give this one a reco.
★ 488 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Served in a standard pint glass.
A - Crystal clear brownish red coloration. Small bit of froth, mild retention and lace.
S - Sweet on the nose, most likely the caramel malts. Slightly grassy.
T - Nicely balanced malt sweetness with a good grassy hop backing. I was expecting something heavier than this, like Skullsplitter, but was pleasantly surprised.
M - Light bodied, good carbonation, clean finish.
D - Delicious. Paired quite well with BBQ. I'd definitely give this one a reco.
★ 488 characters
3.15/5 rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to Kels for sharing.
12oz brown bottle poured into a snifter.
A: Pours a bronzish brown with good clarity. Moderate head with little retention and lacing.
S: Mild maltiness with some biscuit and cereal. Mayr some rye? No hops.
T/M: Still, maybe rye? More of the mild maltiness. Medium body with maybe just a touch under average carbonation.
D: Drinks easy enough but not very interesting.
★ 400 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to Kels for sharing.
12oz brown bottle poured into a snifter.
A: Pours a bronzish brown with good clarity. Moderate head with little retention and lacing.
S: Mild maltiness with some biscuit and cereal. Mayr some rye? No hops.
T/M: Still, maybe rye? More of the mild maltiness. Medium body with maybe just a touch under average carbonation.
D: Drinks easy enough but not very interesting.
★ 400 characters
4.3/5 rDev +18.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I picked up a sixer of this from the brewery. It's a winter seasonal, and the carton says it's a 85 schilling ale, although I'm not quite sure what that means.
Appearance- Pours a copper color into a pint glass with a very limited head.
Aroma- Very sweet, caramel, and malty.
Taste- sweet, with a light caramel flavor. Just a little bitterness to indicate hops. really tasty.
Mouthfeel- medium bodied, a bit syrupy, but not in a bad way.
Drinkability- Excellent. I could drink this whole six pack, and at a reasonable ABV, it wouldn't hurt me.
Another excellent beer from St. George. They have yet to disappoint me.
★ 622 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I picked up a sixer of this from the brewery. It's a winter seasonal, and the carton says it's a 85 schilling ale, although I'm not quite sure what that means.
Appearance- Pours a copper color into a pint glass with a very limited head.
Aroma- Very sweet, caramel, and malty.
Taste- sweet, with a light caramel flavor. Just a little bitterness to indicate hops. really tasty.
Mouthfeel- medium bodied, a bit syrupy, but not in a bad way.
Drinkability- Excellent. I could drink this whole six pack, and at a reasonable ABV, it wouldn't hurt me.
Another excellent beer from St. George. They have yet to disappoint me.
★ 622 characters
3.08/5 rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Beer is dirty brown and hazy with a thin off white head, little lacing low carbonation.
Beer smells like peat.
Beer is thin on the palate and dry on the finish, between the start and the finish? peat...peated malt...fun....actually the peated character is really hard to overlook and notice anything else...eh...
★ 315 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Beer is dirty brown and hazy with a thin off white head, little lacing low carbonation.
Beer smells like peat.
Beer is thin on the palate and dry on the finish, between the start and the finish? peat...peated malt...fun....actually the peated character is really hard to overlook and notice anything else...eh...
★ 315 characters
3.06/5 rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On tap at The Brickskeller on December 9, 2010. Called this an 85 Shilling beer.
Pours a medium brown color with a thin cream-colored head with a slight cap on top. The nose brings forward quite a bit of peated malt. Other than some light roast and brown malt behind it, the peat is all I really get and it completely subsumes the rest of the beer. Strange, considering the brewer said it was only 1% of the grain bill
The flavor is likewise incredibly peat-forward with a bit of light smoke. Some roasted character in the background, though this is faint. The body is medium and finishes with a slight astringency, though nothing too harsh. All in all, not one of the better things I've had from St. George.
★ 710 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On tap at The Brickskeller on December 9, 2010. Called this an 85 Shilling beer.
Pours a medium brown color with a thin cream-colored head with a slight cap on top. The nose brings forward quite a bit of peated malt. Other than some light roast and brown malt behind it, the peat is all I really get and it completely subsumes the rest of the beer. Strange, considering the brewer said it was only 1% of the grain bill
The flavor is likewise incredibly peat-forward with a bit of light smoke. Some roasted character in the background, though this is faint. The body is medium and finishes with a slight astringency, though nothing too harsh. All in all, not one of the better things I've had from St. George.
★ 710 characters
3.8/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12oz brown bottle into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date. Purchased as 6-pack at Market Street Wineshop (Charlottesville, VA) for $9.99.
A: Chestnut hue with 1-2 finger off-white head with decent retention and nice craggy lacing.
S: Very meaty smoke-peat aroma with a sweet dark malt base leaving sweet caramel, some breadiness, and leafy hops
T: Very comparable to Old Chub but not as adventurous as Dirty Bastard but still quite good, but you had better like smoke flavor as it is big and meaty in this brew. It is not overwhelming like in Immortale but is dominant. The malts are complex with some fruitiness, chocolate, and toffee notes. Hops are earthy and leafy.
M: A little too thin for the style but still drinkable. The carbonation is also a bit too much for the style -- it should drink thicker and smoother than it does.
D: I enjoyed this beer, but the feel does detract a fair amount. A more defdicated maltload would boost this up, but it is above-average for the style and great for peat-smoke lovers.
★ 1,031 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Poured from 12oz brown bottle into a Duvel tulip. No freshness date. Purchased as 6-pack at Market Street Wineshop (Charlottesville, VA) for $9.99.
A: Chestnut hue with 1-2 finger off-white head with decent retention and nice craggy lacing.
S: Very meaty smoke-peat aroma with a sweet dark malt base leaving sweet caramel, some breadiness, and leafy hops
T: Very comparable to Old Chub but not as adventurous as Dirty Bastard but still quite good, but you had better like smoke flavor as it is big and meaty in this brew. It is not overwhelming like in Immortale but is dominant. The malts are complex with some fruitiness, chocolate, and toffee notes. Hops are earthy and leafy.
M: A little too thin for the style but still drinkable. The carbonation is also a bit too much for the style -- it should drink thicker and smoother than it does.
D: I enjoyed this beer, but the feel does detract a fair amount. A more defdicated maltload would boost this up, but it is above-average for the style and great for peat-smoke lovers.
★ 1,031 characters
3.65/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Nice color, but it looks a little thin. There was a tiny bone white head, but it's gone by the time I looked up the beer and began typing.
Smells malty and sweet. I'm really not picking up much though.
This beer definitely shines on the taste. There's an upfront maltiness that transcends into a slight dark fruit/raisin flavor that then comes back to slightly chocolate but straight dark malts. Very tasty.
Mouthfeel is excellent, maybe a little weak, but it's deceiving with it's 6%.
Totally drinkable. This might be my new "go to" Winter beer. It's 6% but might be considered sessionable.
★ 597 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Nice color, but it looks a little thin. There was a tiny bone white head, but it's gone by the time I looked up the beer and began typing.
Smells malty and sweet. I'm really not picking up much though.
This beer definitely shines on the taste. There's an upfront maltiness that transcends into a slight dark fruit/raisin flavor that then comes back to slightly chocolate but straight dark malts. Very tasty.
Mouthfeel is excellent, maybe a little weak, but it's deceiving with it's 6%.
Totally drinkable. This might be my new "go to" Winter beer. It's 6% but might be considered sessionable.
★ 597 characters
4.33/5 rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A new seasonal from St George Brewing.
Picked up a six pack on sight. At first I thought it was the normal winter seasonal: the awesome winter stout but then I read the label. A winter Scotch Ale: an 85 shilling beer.
That made me smile: having grown up in Northern England I've drunk my fair share of 70,80 and 90 Bobs but I cant recall ever drinking an 85/- Ale.
Anyway I got the six pack home and popped the cap, poured it into a Sam's perfect pint. It ccertainly looks the part: dark red with a creamy head. The head disappeared inside a minute with a fizzzz leaving barely a trace. I'm not really one for sniffing beer but it smelled OK. It tasted much better than that though. Andy has done it again - this is a real scotch: smoky, peaty malts with a delicious mouth feel. The alcohol is there (6%) but it isn't overpowering, a real wee heavy. I'd love to get a sixtel of this - I guess I'm going to have to drink the sixer of IPA and make some space in the kegerator. This could be an outstanding session beer.
★ 1,017 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A new seasonal from St George Brewing.
Picked up a six pack on sight. At first I thought it was the normal winter seasonal: the awesome winter stout but then I read the label. A winter Scotch Ale: an 85 shilling beer.
That made me smile: having grown up in Northern England I've drunk my fair share of 70,80 and 90 Bobs but I cant recall ever drinking an 85/- Ale.
Anyway I got the six pack home and popped the cap, poured it into a Sam's perfect pint. It ccertainly looks the part: dark red with a creamy head. The head disappeared inside a minute with a fizzzz leaving barely a trace. I'm not really one for sniffing beer but it smelled OK. It tasted much better than that though. Andy has done it again - this is a real scotch: smoky, peaty malts with a delicious mouth feel. The alcohol is there (6%) but it isn't overpowering, a real wee heavy. I'd love to get a sixtel of this - I guess I'm going to have to drink the sixer of IPA and make some space in the kegerator. This could be an outstanding session beer.
★ 1,017 characters
3.9/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours chestnut brown with an off-white head. Smells of malt syrup with a hint of smoke. Minimal lacing.
Very tasty. Sweet malts enhanced by peat and smoke notes. Smooth, with a mere whisper of hop bitterness in the finish. Caramel and butterscotch notes play supporting roles, as well as an estery fruit note. Mild carbonation but it isn't too thick on the palate. Very faint alcohol and good drinkability -- I can easily put away more than one of these.
On sale at Farm Fresh for $8.47 a six pack. Not a bad deal, and a great way to support our local brewer.
Would go great with salmon (smoked or non). I can imagine BBQ pork working as well. A fine choice for a cool evening. An ale that seems like it could be good for your soul.
★ 737 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours chestnut brown with an off-white head. Smells of malt syrup with a hint of smoke. Minimal lacing.
Very tasty. Sweet malts enhanced by peat and smoke notes. Smooth, with a mere whisper of hop bitterness in the finish. Caramel and butterscotch notes play supporting roles, as well as an estery fruit note. Mild carbonation but it isn't too thick on the palate. Very faint alcohol and good drinkability -- I can easily put away more than one of these.
On sale at Farm Fresh for $8.47 a six pack. Not a bad deal, and a great way to support our local brewer.
Would go great with salmon (smoked or non). I can imagine BBQ pork working as well. A fine choice for a cool evening. An ale that seems like it could be good for your soul.
★ 737 characters
3.73/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Has a nice pour. Maybe two fingers of whitish head that disappears quickly with only a light ring of lacing left behind.
S: Malty with a slight fruity smell that I can't quite place. Actually smells a little astringent, not fantastic on the nose.
T: I'm really liking the flavor of this beer. It's sweet but not overly sweet, and really well balanced. Not the type of beer that I'd want to drink in the summer, but I guess that's why it's a winter scotch ale.
M: Not a whole lot of carbonation, which makes it feel heavier than it actually is. It's a little sticky, too, because of how sweet the beer is. The mouthfeel matches the flavor nicely, makes this a very drinkable beer.
D: Like I said, very drinkable. It feels like a warm winter drink even though it's cold. Worth checking out for sure.
★ 812 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Has a nice pour. Maybe two fingers of whitish head that disappears quickly with only a light ring of lacing left behind.
S: Malty with a slight fruity smell that I can't quite place. Actually smells a little astringent, not fantastic on the nose.
T: I'm really liking the flavor of this beer. It's sweet but not overly sweet, and really well balanced. Not the type of beer that I'd want to drink in the summer, but I guess that's why it's a winter scotch ale.
M: Not a whole lot of carbonation, which makes it feel heavier than it actually is. It's a little sticky, too, because of how sweet the beer is. The mouthfeel matches the flavor nicely, makes this a very drinkable beer.
D: Like I said, very drinkable. It feels like a warm winter drink even though it's cold. Worth checking out for sure.
★ 812 characters
Winter Scotch Ale from St. George Brewing Company, The
3.62
out of 5
based on 51 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a bottle into a shaker pint, the beer is a bright, crystal clear, caramel coloring with a steady flow of carbonation throughout the body and a foamy, low profile, off-white head. Aromas of sweet caramel, floral highlights, roasted and earthy notes, and candi sugar. Flavors are heavily roasted, with a caramel and toffee blend, subtle sugary sweetness, floral highlights, some vanilla crème, and a slightly bitter woody accent. The body is light and smooth, with a sugary sweet, caramel rich aftertaste. The finish is light, smooth, and slightly effervesced. Very sweet and tasty, and very drinkable.
★ 613 characters