McShagger Smoked Scotch
Cascade Brewing / Raccoon Lodge & Brewpub

 

 

Got a growler of this at Special Brews in Lynnwood. Poured into a pint glass.

Appearance: medium brown hue with lots of haze and a nice one-finger cap of frothy tan foam. Good looking.

Smell: rich malt with quite a bit of sweetness. There is a bready aroma and a banana aroma, which really makes this stuff smell like banana bread. Not sure how to-style it is, but it's quite good. Not much of the smokiness advertised in the name.

Taste: rich malt flavor with a good, roamy smokiness. A hint of fruitiness fills out the end and there is a low but perceptible bitterness. A good Scotch ale which is not too dry or biscuity; I like it.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and creaminess. I like it.

Overall: quite a tasty and interesting brew. I like where they have gone with this beer.

A: Poured a deep burgundy color with good carbonation leaving a a dirty white cap, minimal bubbles and lacing

S: Immediate caramel, peat and leather. Not over powering but nice.

T: Upfront is a campfire smokiness, sweet caramel, leather, hit of smoked meat, some booze and a peaty finish, that is a bit sticky and sweet

M: Big body, stick sweet, well carbonated, loads of taste

O: Very good. One of the best Wee Heavy's behind Dick's and Alemsith I have ever had.

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a clean, clear brown, with a bit of a reddish tint, and had a tall, foamy, dark khaki head of tight bubbles that had good retention and OK lacing.

The aroma was very good, a nice scent of smoke on top, some peatiness underneath and solid grains holding everything up. the flavors are very similar, grain, peat and smoke.

The body is full, without being heavy. Usually I find this style to be a bit to heavy. Drinkability was very good, I'll certainly have more of these.

Overall, a very good take on one of my least favorite styles. A must try if you see it and worth some effort to find.