Simple Malt Scotch Ale
Brasseurs Illimités

 

 

 

Simple Malt Scotch Ale has a large head that's built like cotton candy and a lacing that paints the glass like silly spray. Despite these features, however, it's a very serious appearance; there's nothing light-hearted or "fun" about this dark, dense beer. Its liquid is virtually black and the foam brown - it looks like a very somber affair.

... but not a sobering one! This aroma has all kinds of fermentation-driven fruit esters and a not-so-subtle 8.2% alcohol presence. Like Scotch, it has a sharp, intense yet soothing presence (albeit with a kind of spiced milk chocolate-covered cranberry note that's never been present in any single malt I've tried). Hmm, what exactly are we getting into here?

This Wee Heavy is mighty thin and, while it does have some of the caramelly malt characteristic of the style, it lays in the shadow of roasted malt. And it's one big, overarching shadow. There's enough roasted barley to create a bold coffee-and-cream flavour as well as impressions of chocolate and smoke. It's far more like a London Porter than a Scottish Strong.

Even the raisiny, dried fruit esters seem to me to be more unintended by-products than calculated style markers. Seeing the head erupt as it did on the pour didn't sit right with me, then I started noticing all kinds of baking spices. The ultra-gunky layer of sediment in the bottle confirms it: yeast has a far bigger role than it should (or likely was intended to).

It'd be difficult to justify calling Simple Malt Scotch Ale unpleasant but it does have some major style deficiencies and definite technical flaws. This has been my experience with Brasseurs Illimités in a nutshell: hit and miss, and when they don't hit the mark poor bottle condition and/or quality control has likely had something to do with it. Be weary if buying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot to let it reach the ideal serving temperature, I drank it directly out of the fridge, maybe I should try it again at a higher temperature. Nonetheless I was quite satisfied by this beer.

From a 341 ml bottle into a tulip glass.

Appearance: Pours a really dark brown, almost black beer. With almost no head, it's probably my glass' fault because, according to other reviews there should be a ~3 inches head.

Smell: Oh my god the smell! A really sweet smell that smells like black licorice , you can also smell some caramel aromas in there.

Taste: A really sweet taste too, really "caramel-y". The finish is really sweet too, a little fruity also. No alcohol is detectable.

Mouthfeel: Really feels good, almost no carbonation.

Overall: A pretty good beer, as it is with other beers from this brewery. A solid scotch ale, not the best out there but pretty solid. I'll have to try it again at a higher temperature and with a well cleaned glass.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Hoppypocket!

Appearance. Pours a deep red-brown with 3 fingers of light orangey-tan head that leaves some nice lacing.

Smell. Caramel with raisins and dark fruits. Some booze and a slight musty smell.

Taste. Sweet caramel and brown sugar with some sweet plums and raisins and a little bit of chocolate in the finish. Alcohol well hidden.

Mouthfeel. Falls short of full bodied with below medium carbonation. A little bit sticky.

Overall. A sweet, but good tasting and easy drinking beer. Having no problem finishing this glass.