Oaked Scotch Ale
White Birch Brewing

On tap at Cask and Vine for the Scottish beer dinner. Pours a solid dark brown/black color with a minimal head and retention. Aromas of caramelized sugars, sweet sugary malts, vanilla, dark chocolate, dark fruits, oak tannin and a warming and biting alcohol note. The flavor is rich caramelized sugars with hints of chocolate smoke and dark fruits. A very present warming and higher alcohols mixed with a bit of tannin makes this beer a bit harsh. Thick body with a moderate level of carbonation and a slick mouthfeel. I enjoyed the hell out of the regular version of this beer, but somehow the oak aged just didn't do it for me. The tannic thinning and bitterness mixed with the alcohols didn't mesh well with the rest of the beer. Decent but not great.