Old Factory Whistle Scottish Ale
Penobscot Bay Brewery

Old Factory Whistle Scottish AleOld Factory Whistle Scottish Ale
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From:
Penobscot Bay Brewery
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Scottish Ale
ABV:
6.2%
Score:
78
Avg:
3.29 | pDev: 17.93%
Reviews:
22
Ratings:
37
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 23, 2021
Added:
May 02, 2009
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
Old Factory Whistle, our signature ale, is patterned after red ales that have a rich Scottish heritage.

This ale utilizes crystal, pale, chocolate and Munich malts with a dose of roasted barley resulting in a complex mixture of the toasty flavors of caramel malt and sweetness, and a classic rich red color.

English Kent Golding hops add to the depth and help produce that pleasing balance.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Shuvaxu:
Photo of Shuvaxu
Rated by Shuvaxu from Maine

4/5  rDev +21.6%

Aug 27, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of jbolger
Rated by jbolger from Connecticut

3.52/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
10/23/21 Red color. Malty sweetness. Smooth with slight metallic taste. A bit thin with no aroma. Not bad but wouldn’t seek out.
Oct 23, 2021
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.46/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Amber to brown color. Modest head which leaves a few spots and streaks on the glass.

Mild aroma which seems closer to a pale ale than Scottish Ale. Missing are the deeper roasted malts with notes of toast and caramel. I do get some maltose sweetness to the nose.

The taste is an improvement with a better malty presence. There's a notable amount of hop to the bitter finish. Yeast is also present even with its clear color.
Aug 19, 2020
Photo of Bierliebhaber3
Reviewed by Bierliebhaber3 from Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
This Scotch ale pours a dark reddish brown color with a big foamy tan head. The smell is very mild, but is obviously malt oriented with caramel and grains being the dominant contributors. The flavors are more grain heavy than caramel heavy, which is not typical for a scotch ale in my experience. The flavor has a distinctly German flair, which is kind of confusing in a scotch ale also. Yeast and toasted bread also combined with a mild hop bitterness, which seems fine. There is a slight metallic taste as well, which is a flaw here. The body is medium. Both the body and the alcohol presence seem a little light for me compared to my favorite scotch ales. The finish is quite dry. Not bad to drink besides a slight metallic flaw, but definitely a bit confused. It tastes more like a slightly sweetened German lager to me than it does a scotch ale.
Jul 29, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by brewnme from Maine

Oct 18, 2017
 
Rated: 3.69 by Fitzy01 from Maine

Oct 16, 2017
 
Rated: 3.61 by ChipChaight from New York

Aug 22, 2016
Photo of cufarley
Rated by cufarley from Maine

4.21/5  rDev +28%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Doesn't have the smokey, peaty taste of most Scottish Ales. It's more like an Imperial Red to me.
Jul 09, 2016
 
Rated: 2.75 by CSeavey64 from Maine

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.1 by morebeergood from Massachusetts

Sep 07, 2014
 
Rated: 2.5 by psdriscoll from Connecticut

Jul 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by lzepplin01 from Arizona

Mar 01, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by Satchboogie from Belgium

Mar 24, 2013
Photo of BeerKangaroo
Reviewed by BeerKangaroo from Alaska

3.08/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Into my nonic:

A: deep rich dark brown body that leaves a half finger creamy tan head, it lasts for about thirty seconds. Some spotty, spider webbed lacing appears. No carbonation is seen rising.

S: toasty breadiness with a caramel buttery background.

T: has the previously stated smells combined evenly.

M: medium, pretty watery, but not a bad watery, perhaps slightly expected. This is fairly drinkable.

O: I've had better Scottish ales and probably wouldn't seek this one out again at least from the bottle. However, I am interested in more beers from Penobscot Bay Brewery.
Aug 03, 2012
Photo of GarthDanielson
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia

3.55/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured on-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a clean, vibrant, ruby-copper coloring with a filmy ring of head. Aromas of rich malt and nut, with caramel and booze highlights. Flavors are rich and roasted, with a caramel tang overtone. Floral and syrupy sweet highlights over the palate, also. Decent cling while you drink, with a sugar sweet and thistle aftertaste. The finish is rich and slick. Different twist on a solid style. Interesting brew.
Jun 03, 2012
 
Rated: 2.25 by rderedin from Maine

Mar 31, 2012
Photo of Jason
Reviewed by Jason from Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
22oz brown bottle with no freshness date.

LOOK: Nearly clear brassy color, quick to froth to the top ... almost a gusher when poured in the glass.

SMELL: Yeast, toasted bread, caramel, hay, herbal hop, fallen apples, buttery

TASTE: Smooth, sweet caramel, very grassy, toasted husk, minimal hopping, estery, yeast, vegtal, broth, bone dry

Not much depth at all and a bit messy, if it was cleaned up and not so dry it would be a damn good beer.
Mar 20, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by erlenmeyer from Maine

Feb 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire

Dec 02, 2011
 
Rated: 3 by rab53 from Washington

Dec 02, 2011
Old Factory Whistle Scottish Ale from Penobscot Bay Brewery
Beer rating: 78 out of 100 with 37 ratings