Doc’s Scotch Ale Barrel Aged
Millersburg Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.9 ounce (500 ml) bottle, no dating on it that I could find I believe this was a late 2017 release. Served in a thistle glass, the beer pours a slightly hazy reddish/copper/brown color with about an inch and a half tan head. Head retention and lacing are both decent enough. Aroma is sweet and malty, the brew smells like caramel, bourbon, vanilla, toffee, and nuts. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there's also some bready malt and dark fruit (raisin) flavors noticeable. Like the aroma, it's mostly sweet and malty. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's slick with a moderate amount of carbonation. Not as boozy as you'd think for being 13% ABV, alcohol is well hidden here. I think it's a good overall brew, certainly worth a try if you've never had it before! $10.99 a bottle.

The 2016 GABF “Aged Beer” Gold Medal winning version from an October 2017 release in a 16.9 oz bottle.

It is a slightly reddish brown opaque beer. Not much head, but a little bit of a light tan film and thin ring remain.

It smells like vanilla, caramel, toffee, whiskey, and lightly smoked malts.

It pretty much tastes the same. A pretty forward bourbon flavor. It’s just a bit too hot, but the malty sweet flavors cut it a bit. Lots of toffee/caramel, vanilla, oak, and a decent amount of char and peaty smokiness.

The body is kind of watery/thin. A little bit of alcohol burn on the back end. Probably the weakest aspect of the beer.

Overall, this is no Wulver, and I can think of quite a few better examples so the medal is surprisingl, but still a pretty enjoyable beer. A lot of flavor even if it has some weak areas. I would drink it again.