Tale Of The Shony
Church Street Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Scottish Ale
Ranked #183 - ABV:
- 5.1%
- Score:
- 80
Ranked #45,926 - Avg:
- 3.49 | pDev: 12.61%
- Reviews:
- 18
- Ratings:
- From:
- Church Street Brewing Company
- Illinois, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 0
- Gots
- 13
SCORE
80
Good
80
Good
Notes:
Our traditional 80 Shilling Scottish-style ale. Chocolate and roasted barley malts contribute to this dark-colored brew, rounded out by notes of sweet caramel and mellow roast. Robust, yet drinkable, this beer can be enjoyed in the cold months of winter or the dog days of summer.
32 IBU
32 IBU
Reviews: 18
| Ratings: 80
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Franziskaner from Missouri
3.78/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Brown in color with not much light getting through the body. There's a fingernail of off white around the rim and most of the top. The aroma is of plentiful caramel and an undefined nuttiness. I'm tasting caramel, marzipan, and otherwise bready malt. The mouth is somewhat chewy and sticky.
Apr 02, 2018
3.78/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Brown in color with not much light getting through the body. There's a fingernail of off white around the rim and most of the top. The aroma is of plentiful caramel and an undefined nuttiness. I'm tasting caramel, marzipan, and otherwise bready malt. The mouth is somewhat chewy and sticky.
Apr 02, 2018
BlackBeerPirate from Illinois
2.93/5 rDev -16%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Taste: roasted grains, caramel malts, herbal, crisp finish. Semi sweet malt nose. Mahogany red hue, mostly clear, with a tan creamy head and some lattice of lace. Medium body. 32 IBUs
Nov 19, 2017
2.93/5 rDev -16%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Taste: roasted grains, caramel malts, herbal, crisp finish. Semi sweet malt nose. Mahogany red hue, mostly clear, with a tan creamy head and some lattice of lace. Medium body. 32 IBUs
Nov 19, 2017
zeff80 from Missouri
3.81/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled of peat, smoke and roasted malt. Slightly sweet with an earthy bite.
Sep 18, 2017
3.81/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured out a clear, dark burgundy color with a small, tan head of foam. It smelled of peat, smoke and roasted malt. Slightly sweet with an earthy bite.
Sep 18, 2017
DrMullet from Florida
3.5/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a cloudy cola color with moderate head.
Smell is caramel malt and fruit.
Taste is all malt. Molasses, dried dark fruit, and a smokey taste.
Not my favorite scottish.
Jan 15, 2017
3.5/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a cloudy cola color with moderate head.
Smell is caramel malt and fruit.
Taste is all malt. Molasses, dried dark fruit, and a smokey taste.
Not my favorite scottish.
Jan 15, 2017
Karibourgeois from Texas
3/5 rDev -14%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Dark copper pour with a white one-finger head. Aroma of caramel and nut. Taste has caramel and light nut flavors upfront backed by bread and an earthy, grainy flavor. Lots of malt. Medium bodied with a good bit of carbonation.
Jan 13, 2017
3/5 rDev -14%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Dark copper pour with a white one-finger head. Aroma of caramel and nut. Taste has caramel and light nut flavors upfront backed by bread and an earthy, grainy flavor. Lots of malt. Medium bodied with a good bit of carbonation.
Jan 13, 2017
scotorum from Massachusetts
3.86/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
CHURCH STREET TALE OF THE SHONY SCOTTISH ALE 9/30/16
Another from the latest beer clkub shipment. Church Street is not available in my state.
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into an English nonick pint.
a: Nearly clear orange/copper with a finger thick offwhite head which receded to even surface foam and dense lacing.
s; Lightly of caramel malt.
t: Follows the nose with more authority, followed by some smokiness and moderate hope bite. Sweet to bitter finish.
m; Light to medium, ok body and good carbonation tingle.
o; Good Scottish ale, lighter than a Scotch ale as it should be. On point as a representative of the style, though the smoky notes from the roasted malt is exceptional.
Oct 01, 2016
3.86/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
CHURCH STREET TALE OF THE SHONY SCOTTISH ALE 9/30/16
Another from the latest beer clkub shipment. Church Street is not available in my state.
Poured from the 12 oz. bottle into an English nonick pint.
a: Nearly clear orange/copper with a finger thick offwhite head which receded to even surface foam and dense lacing.
s; Lightly of caramel malt.
t: Follows the nose with more authority, followed by some smokiness and moderate hope bite. Sweet to bitter finish.
m; Light to medium, ok body and good carbonation tingle.
o; Good Scottish ale, lighter than a Scotch ale as it should be. On point as a representative of the style, though the smoky notes from the roasted malt is exceptional.
Oct 01, 2016
Suds from Missouri
3.85/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This brew is sienna in color with a white, wispy head. The aroma is malty, with plenty of caramel scents. The aroma transfers nicely to the flavor...malt, sweetness, and a little hop notes for balance. Creamy, lightly carbonated, and very satisfying. Full in flavor and body. Nice.
Sep 25, 2016
3.85/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This brew is sienna in color with a white, wispy head. The aroma is malty, with plenty of caramel scents. The aroma transfers nicely to the flavor...malt, sweetness, and a little hop notes for balance. Creamy, lightly carbonated, and very satisfying. Full in flavor and body. Nice.
Sep 25, 2016
Eamonn-Cummings3 from New York
4.15/5 rDev +18.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz glass into St Arnold's barrel glass.
Look is a dark dark brown with ruby red highlights. A thin head white head sits on top.
Aroma is intense malt. Rich molasses with a light roasted coffee note.
Taste is an awesome study of malt. Rich a molasses sweet with a hint of dry roast. Not much hopping to speak of.
Overwhelmingly malty beer but in a wonderful way. Like a said before a study in malt, and a more intense version of this style than I've ever had.
Apr 12, 2016
4.15/5 rDev +18.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12oz glass into St Arnold's barrel glass.
Look is a dark dark brown with ruby red highlights. A thin head white head sits on top.
Aroma is intense malt. Rich molasses with a light roasted coffee note.
Taste is an awesome study of malt. Rich a molasses sweet with a hint of dry roast. Not much hopping to speak of.
Overwhelmingly malty beer but in a wonderful way. Like a said before a study in malt, and a more intense version of this style than I've ever had.
Apr 12, 2016
jws7968 from Illinois
3.79/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours dark brown in color. The aroma is very nutty with some banana. The taste is malty, with almost a taste of Lipton Iced Tea. The feel is somewhat watery. Overall, OK but I would not run out to try this one again.
Mar 25, 2016
3.79/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Pours dark brown in color. The aroma is very nutty with some banana. The taste is malty, with almost a taste of Lipton Iced Tea. The feel is somewhat watery. Overall, OK but I would not run out to try this one again.
Mar 25, 2016
GrumpyGas from Illinois
4.1/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A maroon body poured on draft carries no head into a pint glass, but the banana esters are obvious in the aroma.
The flowery taste is ok and an unexpected pleasure.
Malt, as expected, covers a hop flavor, and the mouthfeel is typical to the style.
Overall a nice drinkable change of pace.
Mar 20, 2016
4.1/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A maroon body poured on draft carries no head into a pint glass, but the banana esters are obvious in the aroma.
The flowery taste is ok and an unexpected pleasure.
Malt, as expected, covers a hop flavor, and the mouthfeel is typical to the style.
Overall a nice drinkable change of pace.
Mar 20, 2016
mfnmbvp from Illinois
3.23/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12 oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date present. Another new local brew to me from Church Street Brewing Co., acquired as part of a mixed six pack at the local Binny's.
Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
A - It pours a muddy murky caramel body with hardly any conjuration of head. Manages to spring up about a half finger of khaki head when given a nice swirl. Hardly any lacing. Looks alright for what it is.
S - The aroma is pretty light, but contains notes of nuts, brown bread, toasted malt, maple syrup, indistinct fruits, and some mustiness. Perhaps some minor alcohol notes detectable.
T - Taste follows the nose - nutty & malty, with some cola notes and mild alcohol astringency. Some fruity yeast esters noticeable in the mix there also. Some dried dark fruit presence.
M - The feel is on the thin & watery side of things, especially for the style, but it is easy-drinking nonetheless. A dry papery sort of finish, with some dried fruitiness / cherry sort of aftertaste lingering on the palate.
Overall, I'd say it's a slightly below average representation of the style, and not one I would be interested in trying again. A bit too thin, and it could probably use some more malt body.
Church Street Brewing Tale Of The Shony Scottish Ale -----3/5.
Nov 14, 2014
3.23/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12 oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date present. Another new local brew to me from Church Street Brewing Co., acquired as part of a mixed six pack at the local Binny's.
Poured into a Duvel tulip glass.
A - It pours a muddy murky caramel body with hardly any conjuration of head. Manages to spring up about a half finger of khaki head when given a nice swirl. Hardly any lacing. Looks alright for what it is.
S - The aroma is pretty light, but contains notes of nuts, brown bread, toasted malt, maple syrup, indistinct fruits, and some mustiness. Perhaps some minor alcohol notes detectable.
T - Taste follows the nose - nutty & malty, with some cola notes and mild alcohol astringency. Some fruity yeast esters noticeable in the mix there also. Some dried dark fruit presence.
M - The feel is on the thin & watery side of things, especially for the style, but it is easy-drinking nonetheless. A dry papery sort of finish, with some dried fruitiness / cherry sort of aftertaste lingering on the palate.
Overall, I'd say it's a slightly below average representation of the style, and not one I would be interested in trying again. A bit too thin, and it could probably use some more malt body.
Church Street Brewing Tale Of The Shony Scottish Ale -----3/5.
Nov 14, 2014
Tone from Missouri
3.91/5 rDev +12%
Pours a clear, dark brown color. 3/2 inch head of a tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, syrup, hint of hop, slight alcohol, and a hint of toffee. Fits the style of a Scottish Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with a high carbonation level. Tastes of strong sweet malt, slight syrup, hint of roasted malt, alcohol, hint of hop, and a hint of toffee. Overall, good appearance, body, and blend, but more carbonated than I would have liked.
Oct 25, 2014
3.91/5 rDev +12%
Pours a clear, dark brown color. 3/2 inch head of a tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, syrup, hint of hop, slight alcohol, and a hint of toffee. Fits the style of a Scottish Ale. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with a high carbonation level. Tastes of strong sweet malt, slight syrup, hint of roasted malt, alcohol, hint of hop, and a hint of toffee. Overall, good appearance, body, and blend, but more carbonated than I would have liked.
Oct 25, 2014
WoodBrew from Ohio
3.47/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The Church Street Scottish Ale is decent...but not spectacular. The beer poured a hazy brownish amber with very thin head that is not lacing. The scent had a nice maple flare and typical scottish push. The taste is a decent balanced beer with sweet malt base. The mouthfeel is no quite medium..but not light either. There is a smooth carbonation present. Overall the beer is a nice session beer.
May 04, 2014
3.47/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The Church Street Scottish Ale is decent...but not spectacular. The beer poured a hazy brownish amber with very thin head that is not lacing. The scent had a nice maple flare and typical scottish push. The taste is a decent balanced beer with sweet malt base. The mouthfeel is no quite medium..but not light either. There is a smooth carbonation present. Overall the beer is a nice session beer.
May 04, 2014
nwestby from Illinois
3.8/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Overall a solid Scottish Ale. Pours a deep copper, with just a tinge of light breaking through at the corners of the glass. Head in my pour was thin. I had to let it splash hard in the glass to get a .25 inch of head the quickly dissipated. Smell is full of pleasant malty, nutty aroma. Taste is malt dominated and has touch of caramel sweetness. Mouthfeel is perfect for the style in my opinion. Overall a average to above average Scottish.
Feb 23, 2014
3.8/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Overall a solid Scottish Ale. Pours a deep copper, with just a tinge of light breaking through at the corners of the glass. Head in my pour was thin. I had to let it splash hard in the glass to get a .25 inch of head the quickly dissipated. Smell is full of pleasant malty, nutty aroma. Taste is malt dominated and has touch of caramel sweetness. Mouthfeel is perfect for the style in my opinion. Overall a average to above average Scottish.
Feb 23, 2014
barnzy78 from Illinois
2.6/5 rDev -25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
12oz bottle, no freshness date
L - ruddy brown color with a tall greyish-tan head that holds good retention
S - weaker aroma, earthy with some caramel malt and bread
T - caramel, burnt caramel as well, spice, earth, tea, bread, yeast, faint chocolate, faint smoke, a bit medicinal especially on the finish
M - overly carbonated, medium body but very full feeling with all that carbonation, finishes dry
O - another disappointment from Church Street here. Seems to be a bit infected, flavors are muddled and just not that desirable. It's not terrible, but it's definitely not something I want to spend my money on.
Feb 08, 2014
2.6/5 rDev -25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
12oz bottle, no freshness date
L - ruddy brown color with a tall greyish-tan head that holds good retention
S - weaker aroma, earthy with some caramel malt and bread
T - caramel, burnt caramel as well, spice, earth, tea, bread, yeast, faint chocolate, faint smoke, a bit medicinal especially on the finish
M - overly carbonated, medium body but very full feeling with all that carbonation, finishes dry
O - another disappointment from Church Street here. Seems to be a bit infected, flavors are muddled and just not that desirable. It's not terrible, but it's definitely not something I want to spend my money on.
Feb 08, 2014
matjack85 from Illinois
3.88/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I picked this up at the Pik - n - Go liquor store in Bloomingdale, IL. $6.99 for a six pack of 12oz brown bottles. This is a new local brewery that opened in 2012, so I'm looking foreword to trying my first beer from them. No freshness date.
The beer poured an iced tea color with a reddish tint to it - sort of like a raspberry iced tea. It only made a ½-finger of off-white head that lasted about a minute, and lacing was minimal.
It had a pleasant smell to it of roasted malts, chocolate, and sugar.
Roasted malt flavor with a touch of sweet caramel and chocolate. Tea-like hops provide a mild bitterness and good balance.
Medium body with moderate carbonation.
A very well made and tasty Scottish ale. This is my first taste of anything from this local brewery. Hope their other offerings are as good as this one.
Jan 13, 2014
3.88/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I picked this up at the Pik - n - Go liquor store in Bloomingdale, IL. $6.99 for a six pack of 12oz brown bottles. This is a new local brewery that opened in 2012, so I'm looking foreword to trying my first beer from them. No freshness date.
The beer poured an iced tea color with a reddish tint to it - sort of like a raspberry iced tea. It only made a ½-finger of off-white head that lasted about a minute, and lacing was minimal.
It had a pleasant smell to it of roasted malts, chocolate, and sugar.
Roasted malt flavor with a touch of sweet caramel and chocolate. Tea-like hops provide a mild bitterness and good balance.
Medium body with moderate carbonation.
A very well made and tasty Scottish ale. This is my first taste of anything from this local brewery. Hope their other offerings are as good as this one.
Jan 13, 2014
emerge077 from Illinois
3.8/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Draft sample at Blackfinn in Mount Prospect.
Reddish tone with bright clarity, ample offwhite foam on the surface, depositing some spotty lacing around the edges. Good retention, the foam doesn't break until after the first few sips.
Toasted specialty grains, dry huskiness.
Similar flavors of toasty grains, husks and all, dry hop bitterness in the finish. Dry with no sweetness, body is light with ample carbonation. Seems a bit light for a Scotch Ale, but it's pretty drinkable nonetheless. Glad to finally try a beer from this new brewery.
Apr 14, 2013
3.8/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Draft sample at Blackfinn in Mount Prospect.
Reddish tone with bright clarity, ample offwhite foam on the surface, depositing some spotty lacing around the edges. Good retention, the foam doesn't break until after the first few sips.
Toasted specialty grains, dry huskiness.
Similar flavors of toasty grains, husks and all, dry hop bitterness in the finish. Dry with no sweetness, body is light with ample carbonation. Seems a bit light for a Scotch Ale, but it's pretty drinkable nonetheless. Glad to finally try a beer from this new brewery.
Apr 14, 2013
TMoney2591 from Illinois
3.55/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Served in a tumbler.
Dunno why, but there seems to be a bunch of Scottish ales showing up these days... Anyway, this stuff pours a lightly-murky sienna topped by a finger of glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises earthy greens, green tea, and toffee. The taste brings in more of the same, with the tea a bit more subservient to the greens than before, creating a nice, heather-like character reminiscent of a cup of Earl Grey on the moors. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a nice Scottish ale, one that balances the earth and malts pretty well, creating a generally enjoyable drinking experience.
Mar 14, 2013
3.55/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Served in a tumbler.
Dunno why, but there seems to be a bunch of Scottish ales showing up these days... Anyway, this stuff pours a lightly-murky sienna topped by a finger of glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises earthy greens, green tea, and toffee. The taste brings in more of the same, with the tea a bit more subservient to the greens than before, creating a nice, heather-like character reminiscent of a cup of Earl Grey on the moors. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a nice Scottish ale, one that balances the earth and malts pretty well, creating a generally enjoyable drinking experience.
Mar 14, 2013
Tale Of The Shony from Church Street Brewing Company
Beer rating:
80 out of
100 with
80 ratings
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