Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale | The Pike Brewing Company
Brewed by:
The Pike Brewing Company
Washington, United States | website
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 08-28-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 214 | Ratings: 469
3.73/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the brewpub, Seattle.
A: A clear orange/amber with a one finger off-white head that lingered. Decent lacing.
S: Robust malts, grains, peat and caramel.
T: A nice maltiness followed by signs of peat and smokiness. Caramel malts top the bill.
M: Medium with medium creamy carbonation.
O: A decent Scotch ale, very drinkable. One of the Pike's better entries.
★ 379 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
On tap at the brewpub, Seattle.
A: A clear orange/amber with a one finger off-white head that lingered. Decent lacing.
S: Robust malts, grains, peat and caramel.
T: A nice maltiness followed by signs of peat and smokiness. Caramel malts top the bill.
M: Medium with medium creamy carbonation.
O: A decent Scotch ale, very drinkable. One of the Pike's better entries.
★ 379 characters
4.03/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Stopped off at the brewery with my wife again, as we came down to the Pike Market district for a second time as our last activity in Seattle before we leave for the airport to fly back home to Cleveland. Served on-tap of course in a pint glass, this beer draws a clear, medium copper color with some bright amber highlights when held up to the light. Has a an off-white, slightly tan head about 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch thick when first served to me, and I'm okay with the head being this small because the glad was practically filled to the brim with actual beer when served to me. Head settles to a medium sized ring lining the inside of the glass along with a fluffy, frothy layer of foam on the beer's surface along with good lacing lining the inside of the glass. Aromas of slightly peat smoked caramel malts along with a slight hop presence. Thebtaatevianptetyy muchbthe same, with peat smoked caramel malt sweetness that gives way to slightly citrusy and piney, earthy hop bitterness. The sweetness certainly does dominates here, as should be the case. Has a fairly crisp, yet smooth and frothy, slightly creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation and a clean finish. A pretty solid beer here.
Eric
★ 1,225 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Stopped off at the brewery with my wife again, as we came down to the Pike Market district for a second time as our last activity in Seattle before we leave for the airport to fly back home to Cleveland. Served on-tap of course in a pint glass, this beer draws a clear, medium copper color with some bright amber highlights when held up to the light. Has a an off-white, slightly tan head about 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch thick when first served to me, and I'm okay with the head being this small because the glad was practically filled to the brim with actual beer when served to me. Head settles to a medium sized ring lining the inside of the glass along with a fluffy, frothy layer of foam on the beer's surface along with good lacing lining the inside of the glass. Aromas of slightly peat smoked caramel malts along with a slight hop presence. Thebtaatevianptetyy muchbthe same, with peat smoked caramel malt sweetness that gives way to slightly citrusy and piney, earthy hop bitterness. The sweetness certainly does dominates here, as should be the case. Has a fairly crisp, yet smooth and frothy, slightly creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation and a clean finish. A pretty solid beer here.
Eric
★ 1,225 characters
3.15/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Mostly brown, deep auburn kind of vibe, small 1/5" head. Aroma was woodsy, smoky, peat.
Some sediment, gritty, smoke fades, alcohol warm. Toffee, caramel, unsweetened. Decent stuff if you're into this style.
★ 211 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Mostly brown, deep auburn kind of vibe, small 1/5" head. Aroma was woodsy, smoky, peat.
Some sediment, gritty, smoke fades, alcohol warm. Toffee, caramel, unsweetened. Decent stuff if you're into this style.
★ 211 characters
3.59/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Solid scotch ale with middle of the road taste. Does not have a typical craft beer taste nor uniqueness and was more like a product from a multi-national brewhouse.
Missing any noticeable aroma and lacing.
Its taste was not that bitter and had a mouthfeel that was slightly light.
★ 287 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Solid scotch ale with middle of the road taste. Does not have a typical craft beer taste nor uniqueness and was more like a product from a multi-national brewhouse.
Missing any noticeable aroma and lacing.
Its taste was not that bitter and had a mouthfeel that was slightly light.
★ 287 characters
3.41/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This is a nice basic ale that doesn't try too hard and would be appealing to the masses as a gateway beer. With it's price, I always have high expectations for this beer. I want to like it more. It's a good beer, but the quality does not line up with the price point.
Color is a nice orange almond with very minimal lacing after the first pour. Smell is not really there, but not bad either--light sweetmess and yeastiness. Taste is amazingly similar--not assertive in any way. Bready, biscuity, brown sugar, maybe some noble hops but not much on the bitter side at all, which is expected for Scotch ales. The amazing thing is how well the alcohol is masked and how easy it is to drink it.
Mouthfeel is pretty light and I would like something with a bit more heft, especially if this is doing all but claiming that it is a wee heavy.
★ 836 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This is a nice basic ale that doesn't try too hard and would be appealing to the masses as a gateway beer. With it's price, I always have high expectations for this beer. I want to like it more. It's a good beer, but the quality does not line up with the price point.
Color is a nice orange almond with very minimal lacing after the first pour. Smell is not really there, but not bad either--light sweetmess and yeastiness. Taste is amazingly similar--not assertive in any way. Bready, biscuity, brown sugar, maybe some noble hops but not much on the bitter side at all, which is expected for Scotch ales. The amazing thing is how well the alcohol is masked and how easy it is to drink it.
Mouthfeel is pretty light and I would like something with a bit more heft, especially if this is doing all but claiming that it is a wee heavy.
★ 836 characters
4.07/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a bottle. Dark red in color with light brown head. Cereal grain aroma with a hint of hops. Taste is a good blend of cereal grains, malt and a mix of hops. A bit of bitterness in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is good. Overall beer is great.
★ 247 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a bottle. Dark red in color with light brown head. Cereal grain aroma with a hint of hops. Taste is a good blend of cereal grains, malt and a mix of hops. A bit of bitterness in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is good. Overall beer is great.
★ 247 characters
3.54/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
I think I will have a Scotch ale, please. From a 22 ounce bottle, on to the beer:
Ruby orange colored and topped with over an inch of semi-creamy white head on top. That head retains itself well, and splashes of lacing cling. The aroma is acceptable. It's sweet, and brings notes of raisin, dark bread, a kiss of husk. It actually smells somewhere between a doppelbock and Scotch ale. To little surprise, this beer is malt forward with its taste. Not cloying and relatively easy going down, Kilt Lifter features rum soaked raisin, bread crust, a note of nutty yeast, and a splash of bitterness at the end.
A simple, but enjoyable Scotch ale.
★ 645 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
I think I will have a Scotch ale, please. From a 22 ounce bottle, on to the beer:
Ruby orange colored and topped with over an inch of semi-creamy white head on top. That head retains itself well, and splashes of lacing cling. The aroma is acceptable. It's sweet, and brings notes of raisin, dark bread, a kiss of husk. It actually smells somewhere between a doppelbock and Scotch ale. To little surprise, this beer is malt forward with its taste. Not cloying and relatively easy going down, Kilt Lifter features rum soaked raisin, bread crust, a note of nutty yeast, and a splash of bitterness at the end.
A simple, but enjoyable Scotch ale.
★ 645 characters
3.65/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Serving: 12 oz bottle poured into plastic wine cup; on the Victoria Clipper while traveling to Seattle.
Appearance: Clear, tawny amber with decent off white foam.
Smell: Aroma ranges from raw malt to toasted grains and caramel.
Taste: Deeply malty with toffee notes. Earthy hops lend background bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Medium towards full body and moderate carbonation.
Overall: More towards and amber than Scotch ale, but drinkable and relatively fully flavored; especially good as an option during travel.
★ 512 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Serving: 12 oz bottle poured into plastic wine cup; on the Victoria Clipper while traveling to Seattle.
Appearance: Clear, tawny amber with decent off white foam.
Smell: Aroma ranges from raw malt to toasted grains and caramel.
Taste: Deeply malty with toffee notes. Earthy hops lend background bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Medium towards full body and moderate carbonation.
Overall: More towards and amber than Scotch ale, but drinkable and relatively fully flavored; especially good as an option during travel.
★ 512 characters
3.87/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark caramel color with minimal head. Mouthfeel is light with a refreshing floral finish. Pine, woodsy feel. Overall not a ton of taste though. Fairly bland until the aftertaste
★ 185 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark caramel color with minimal head. Mouthfeel is light with a refreshing floral finish. Pine, woodsy feel. Overall not a ton of taste though. Fairly bland until the aftertaste
★ 185 characters
1/5 rDev -71.9%
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a beer can glass on 06.13.14.
A: Very thin tan mess of a head. It recedes from splotches to nothing. Cloudy brown body.
S: Very faint caramel and earthiness.
T: Follows the nose.
M: It feels flat even though there are some bubbles on the tongue.
O: This was a dead beer. It looked and tasted like flavored water. I don't have an idea of how old it was, but this is the 3rd Pike beer out of 3 that I've had like this. Drain pour.
Rating: F
★ 478 characters
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a beer can glass on 06.13.14.
A: Very thin tan mess of a head. It recedes from splotches to nothing. Cloudy brown body.
S: Very faint caramel and earthiness.
T: Follows the nose.
M: It feels flat even though there are some bubbles on the tongue.
O: This was a dead beer. It looked and tasted like flavored water. I don't have an idea of how old it was, but this is the 3rd Pike beer out of 3 that I've had like this. Drain pour.
Rating: F
★ 478 characters
3.5/5 rDev -1.7%
Had this on tap at Pike. Nothing real special, just average. There wasn't anything that stood out positive or neg. Would have liked more ABV. I compare it to Oskar Blues Old Chub without the 8%.
★ 194 characters
Had this on tap at Pike. Nothing real special, just average. There wasn't anything that stood out positive or neg. Would have liked more ABV. I compare it to Oskar Blues Old Chub without the 8%.
★ 194 characters
3.54/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours an orangey-ruby, cloudy with short-lived fizzy off-white head. There's a little bit of lacing. The aroma is fairly simple, with just nondescript malt sweetness. The taste is about the same. There's not a lot to either. It does have a decent weight to the body, though. A surprising miss from Pike.
★ 303 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours an orangey-ruby, cloudy with short-lived fizzy off-white head. There's a little bit of lacing. The aroma is fairly simple, with just nondescript malt sweetness. The taste is about the same. There's not a lot to either. It does have a decent weight to the body, though. A surprising miss from Pike.
★ 303 characters
3.25/5 rDev -8.7%
I had this in a borrowed thistle.
The color was a super dark red close to brown color with a one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute. There was some light lacing sticking and then sliding down into the beer.
The smell had some peaty/smokiness to an indulgent chocolatey goodness.
The taste was mainly the same in a sweet smoky way.
The mouthfeel was smoky smooth as it rolled over my tongue. Probably about a medium on the body.
Overall, good Scotch Ale I would have again.
★ 503 characters
I had this in a borrowed thistle.
The color was a super dark red close to brown color with a one finger white foamy head that dissipated within about a minute. There was some light lacing sticking and then sliding down into the beer.
The smell had some peaty/smokiness to an indulgent chocolatey goodness.
The taste was mainly the same in a sweet smoky way.
The mouthfeel was smoky smooth as it rolled over my tongue. Probably about a medium on the body.
Overall, good Scotch Ale I would have again.
★ 503 characters
3.67/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12oz bottle, no date, served in a Shaker pint glass.
Appearance: Bright clear copper. Little to no head except for a very thin ring at the edge. Some strands of lacing.
Smell: Not a lot. Some caramel malt and very little else.
Taste: What it lacks in aroma it makes up for in taste. Deep toasted malt and caramel sweetness. Solid malt backbone. Some mild bitter finishes mixing in with toffee and English bitter / mild citrus hop finish. Not amazing or wow in flavor, but compared to the lackluster aroma, definitely full flavor.
Mouthfeel: Definitely full bodied, not watery, but otherwise nothing special. A hint of some stickiness on the teeth.
Overall / Drinkability: Not an amazing scotch ale/wee heavy, just ok. Does go well with food though (beef burger sliders and deviled eggs in this case). While not very remarkable, this does not mean it's bland, just that I've had better examples of the style. Of final note, it's actually quite drinkable - a very good beer to drink in quantity and wash down food with as a complement. Just enough flavor to complement and be enjoyable, not too much to overwhelm or clash with a meal. So I'll give it higher marks on drinkability than on being a good scotch ale.
★ 1,217 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12oz bottle, no date, served in a Shaker pint glass.
Appearance: Bright clear copper. Little to no head except for a very thin ring at the edge. Some strands of lacing.
Smell: Not a lot. Some caramel malt and very little else.
Taste: What it lacks in aroma it makes up for in taste. Deep toasted malt and caramel sweetness. Solid malt backbone. Some mild bitter finishes mixing in with toffee and English bitter / mild citrus hop finish. Not amazing or wow in flavor, but compared to the lackluster aroma, definitely full flavor.
Mouthfeel: Definitely full bodied, not watery, but otherwise nothing special. A hint of some stickiness on the teeth.
Overall / Drinkability: Not an amazing scotch ale/wee heavy, just ok. Does go well with food though (beef burger sliders and deviled eggs in this case). While not very remarkable, this does not mean it's bland, just that I've had better examples of the style. Of final note, it's actually quite drinkable - a very good beer to drink in quantity and wash down food with as a complement. Just enough flavor to complement and be enjoyable, not too much to overwhelm or clash with a meal. So I'll give it higher marks on drinkability than on being a good scotch ale.
★ 1,217 characters
3.24/5 rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Pours two fingers on a hazy dark straw colored body.
The aroma is fruity: apricot, apple and pear. A touch too ripe though.
The taste is ripe apricot, bitter grapefruit, with a sweet finish. Unbalanced.
The texture is heavy, a little sticky with moderate carbonation.
This one never gets it all together at the same time. Individual elements were okay, but...
★ 359 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Pours two fingers on a hazy dark straw colored body.
The aroma is fruity: apricot, apple and pear. A touch too ripe though.
The taste is ripe apricot, bitter grapefruit, with a sweet finish. Unbalanced.
The texture is heavy, a little sticky with moderate carbonation.
This one never gets it all together at the same time. Individual elements were okay, but...
★ 359 characters
3.89/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
On tap at the Daily Grill in downtown Seattle. I've lived in the area for 20+ years all told and have never sampled Pike Pub profferings, but a day on my feet with the Black Friday throngs convinced me that I needed a little more.
This beer delivered the goods. Appearance was consistently opaque, almost sultry - this ale would indeed be seductive. Mouth feel is crisp and velvety. Two or three of these and you will be on your way.
★ 434 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
On tap at the Daily Grill in downtown Seattle. I've lived in the area for 20+ years all told and have never sampled Pike Pub profferings, but a day on my feet with the Black Friday throngs convinced me that I needed a little more.
This beer delivered the goods. Appearance was consistently opaque, almost sultry - this ale would indeed be seductive. Mouth feel is crisp and velvety. Two or three of these and you will be on your way.
★ 434 characters
3.69/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
nice caramel color, some carbonation and bubbles rising to the top. nothing really there in the smell (maybe a cereal/corn kind of aroma) and the taste is rather generic, but easy-going and sessionable. slight hop bitterness one-ups the malts but my kilt isn't lifting.
overall, a very general kind of brew. easy to drink with a decent abv, but like the others from this brewery, not terribly memorable. probably very nice fresh out of the tap at the brewery...
★ 461 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
nice caramel color, some carbonation and bubbles rising to the top. nothing really there in the smell (maybe a cereal/corn kind of aroma) and the taste is rather generic, but easy-going and sessionable. slight hop bitterness one-ups the malts but my kilt isn't lifting.
overall, a very general kind of brew. easy to drink with a decent abv, but like the others from this brewery, not terribly memorable. probably very nice fresh out of the tap at the brewery...
★ 461 characters
3.09/5 rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
12oz : tulip
Slightly hazy, amber red with a thin, light toffee colored head.
Huge caramel malt notes for the most part, some light floral notes.
Medium+ body. Low, foamy carbonation.
Nothing offensive, but also nothing particularly exciting either.
★ 253 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
12oz : tulip
Slightly hazy, amber red with a thin, light toffee colored head.
Huge caramel malt notes for the most part, some light floral notes.
Medium+ body. Low, foamy carbonation.
Nothing offensive, but also nothing particularly exciting either.
★ 253 characters
3.43/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance- Pours up a fair amount of head which looks to have okay retention. The head is almost pure cotton white (it has the slightest hint of beige) while the body is a medium to dark amber that appears medium in the light. Good amount of lacing which tends toward sheeting.
Nose- Very low key and subtle but not in a good way. I get a little bit of caramel, brown sugar, and brown bread from the bottle but almost nothing from the glass. A tiny bit of caramel, slight toastiness. This leads me to believe that this is going to be a rather weak scotch ale. Shows some cereal and grain after swirling. Even a little bit of cornflakes.
Taste- Reflective of the aroma but with a bit more presence. Caramel, slight oak and wood bitterness with notes of molasses and brown sugar. Some brown sugar. Light oak on the finish. A bit thin and watery. No flaws but it is pretty boring at the moment. Some raisins on the front of the flavor profile. Just above average. It is representative of the style; it's simply a weak representation. Shows a little more presence as it opens up. Grain and cereal way in the background.
Mouthfeel- A little below medium bodied with an appropriate amount of carbonation. Slight creaminess.
Drinkability- Pretty easygoing with enough flavor notes to keep it from being boring. Still pretty average.
Overall- Above average. I would give it a try if you aren't expecting a very heavy scotch ale. Fairly accessible for the style- could be good for drinkers new to it.
★ 1,501 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance- Pours up a fair amount of head which looks to have okay retention. The head is almost pure cotton white (it has the slightest hint of beige) while the body is a medium to dark amber that appears medium in the light. Good amount of lacing which tends toward sheeting.
Nose- Very low key and subtle but not in a good way. I get a little bit of caramel, brown sugar, and brown bread from the bottle but almost nothing from the glass. A tiny bit of caramel, slight toastiness. This leads me to believe that this is going to be a rather weak scotch ale. Shows some cereal and grain after swirling. Even a little bit of cornflakes.
Taste- Reflective of the aroma but with a bit more presence. Caramel, slight oak and wood bitterness with notes of molasses and brown sugar. Some brown sugar. Light oak on the finish. A bit thin and watery. No flaws but it is pretty boring at the moment. Some raisins on the front of the flavor profile. Just above average. It is representative of the style; it's simply a weak representation. Shows a little more presence as it opens up. Grain and cereal way in the background.
Mouthfeel- A little below medium bodied with an appropriate amount of carbonation. Slight creaminess.
Drinkability- Pretty easygoing with enough flavor notes to keep it from being boring. Still pretty average.
Overall- Above average. I would give it a try if you aren't expecting a very heavy scotch ale. Fairly accessible for the style- could be good for drinkers new to it.
★ 1,501 characters
4/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pike Kilt Lifter has a thick, cream-colored head, a murky, light brown appearance, some bubble streams, and a few lacing rings left behind. The aroma is of slightly fruity, sweet brown bread crust, and light brown sugar. Taste is of sweet & sour sauce, brown bread crust, light brown sugar, moderate hop bitterness, and toffee. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and a bit velvety, and Pike Kilt Lifter finishes semi-dry, decently refreshing, and rather rich. Overall, this is tasty and interesting.
RJT
★ 499 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pike Kilt Lifter has a thick, cream-colored head, a murky, light brown appearance, some bubble streams, and a few lacing rings left behind. The aroma is of slightly fruity, sweet brown bread crust, and light brown sugar. Taste is of sweet & sour sauce, brown bread crust, light brown sugar, moderate hop bitterness, and toffee. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and a bit velvety, and Pike Kilt Lifter finishes semi-dry, decently refreshing, and rather rich. Overall, this is tasty and interesting.
RJT
★ 499 characters
4/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: 1/2" cream coloured head over murky dark brown liquid.
S: Smoked malt, dark crystal malt, and some cascade type pleasant citrusy hop presence.
T: Smoked malt, chocolate, dark caramel malt, and some grass, lemon and grapefruit hop presence on the back end.
M: Medium to thick viscosity and a medium level of carbonation. Some bite at the back end.
O: A solid offering that is a must try for fans of malty beers.
★ 418 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: 1/2" cream coloured head over murky dark brown liquid.
S: Smoked malt, dark crystal malt, and some cascade type pleasant citrusy hop presence.
T: Smoked malt, chocolate, dark caramel malt, and some grass, lemon and grapefruit hop presence on the back end.
M: Medium to thick viscosity and a medium level of carbonation. Some bite at the back end.
O: A solid offering that is a must try for fans of malty beers.
★ 418 characters
3.64/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Living in Seattle during the early 2000s, this was one of my gateways to the craft beer world. I probably drank more of this beer than any other (save Alaskan Amber), but I only got really into beer after I left the Pacific northwest. It was also my entry to Scotch ales, which remain one of my favored styles. It's been on my short list to revisit and review, and I'm finally taking the time to do so. Tasted 26 May 2013, reviewed from recently found notes taken at the time.
Pours a deep, clear, slightly reddish amber. About 2 fingers of yellowish off-white head. Good retention and lacing. Dark enough that I can barely see through it, but clear enough that I can. Quite nice, but not stunning.
Smell is quite sweet, with a lot of caramel malts. Also has lightly peaty and a little toasty aromas, an interesting combination. I like it. And I can see exactly why I liked it back then. Varied enough to be intriguing, but not so crazy or complex as to overwhelm the naive drinker.
Taste is a little dull. Just not all that much to it, coming and going without making me think much of it. Peaty-earthy in the finish, but in the middle I think "Hmm, this is beer. What does it taste like? Doesn't taste bad, but doesn't taste like very much."
Medium to medium-heavy body. Mid-level fluttery carbonation - not fizzy but much more rapid up-down-up-down.
It's tasty, and it has the scotch ale characters, but they're more like scotch ale light. Mildly peaty and toasty, easy enough to drink. Needs more flavor. It gets a little boost from my nostalgic appreciation.
★ 1,567 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Living in Seattle during the early 2000s, this was one of my gateways to the craft beer world. I probably drank more of this beer than any other (save Alaskan Amber), but I only got really into beer after I left the Pacific northwest. It was also my entry to Scotch ales, which remain one of my favored styles. It's been on my short list to revisit and review, and I'm finally taking the time to do so. Tasted 26 May 2013, reviewed from recently found notes taken at the time.
Pours a deep, clear, slightly reddish amber. About 2 fingers of yellowish off-white head. Good retention and lacing. Dark enough that I can barely see through it, but clear enough that I can. Quite nice, but not stunning.
Smell is quite sweet, with a lot of caramel malts. Also has lightly peaty and a little toasty aromas, an interesting combination. I like it. And I can see exactly why I liked it back then. Varied enough to be intriguing, but not so crazy or complex as to overwhelm the naive drinker.
Taste is a little dull. Just not all that much to it, coming and going without making me think much of it. Peaty-earthy in the finish, but in the middle I think "Hmm, this is beer. What does it taste like? Doesn't taste bad, but doesn't taste like very much."
Medium to medium-heavy body. Mid-level fluttery carbonation - not fizzy but much more rapid up-down-up-down.
It's tasty, and it has the scotch ale characters, but they're more like scotch ale light. Mildly peaty and toasty, easy enough to drink. Needs more flavor. It gets a little boost from my nostalgic appreciation.
★ 1,567 characters
3.84/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a long neck bottle into a Shaker pint. A moderate pour yields about 1/2 inch of off-white head that quickly retreats. A little bit of sticky lace clings to the glass. Carbonation is fairly low. The beer is a yellowish-brown with ruby highlights.
I perceive a faint scent of earthy hops, and a very distinctive caramel malt and maybe a burnt sugar or brown sugar aroma. The flavor is pretty unique with a definite sweetness that is quite appealing- it tastes and smells very much like a caramel roll. Maybe also some molasses, and a bit of honey. Just enough bitterness on the tongue to balance the sweetness a tad. The beer is malty and sweet, but also has a subtleness and complexity that make it stand out. Perhaps also a bit lighter in body than most examples of the style.
This beer was pretty expensive, at nearly $10 a six pack, but I figure it's good to splurge on some good beer on occasion. This was enough of a taste treat to make it worthwhile.
★ 970 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured from a long neck bottle into a Shaker pint. A moderate pour yields about 1/2 inch of off-white head that quickly retreats. A little bit of sticky lace clings to the glass. Carbonation is fairly low. The beer is a yellowish-brown with ruby highlights.
I perceive a faint scent of earthy hops, and a very distinctive caramel malt and maybe a burnt sugar or brown sugar aroma. The flavor is pretty unique with a definite sweetness that is quite appealing- it tastes and smells very much like a caramel roll. Maybe also some molasses, and a bit of honey. Just enough bitterness on the tongue to balance the sweetness a tad. The beer is malty and sweet, but also has a subtleness and complexity that make it stand out. Perhaps also a bit lighter in body than most examples of the style.
This beer was pretty expensive, at nearly $10 a six pack, but I figure it's good to splurge on some good beer on occasion. This was enough of a taste treat to make it worthwhile.
★ 970 characters
4.06/5 rDev +14%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I like this beer it has a good malty flavor . The smell is average. I like the taste and mouthfeel this beer is a must try . It is an above average beer not to bitter at all . Try this out when you see it. You will not be dissappointed you may actually even like it its a great session beer with the buds no doubt.
★ 314 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I like this beer it has a good malty flavor . The smell is average. I like the taste and mouthfeel this beer is a must try . It is an above average beer not to bitter at all . Try this out when you see it. You will not be dissappointed you may actually even like it its a great session beer with the buds no doubt.
★ 314 characters
Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale from The Pike Brewing Company
3.56
out of 5
based on 469 ratings.
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pored into an English-style pub glass.
Look: Very nice copper color. Thin head. Kinda limp, though
Smell: Balanced. Malts are prominent. Not too boozy (a quality I appreciate with this style).
Taste: Again, very balanced. No one character overwhelms any other, but not bland. I've tasted better examples of this style, but still, pretty tasty.
Feel: Subtantial, but not heavy. The alcohol content belies an easy finish.
Overall: A solid entry of this tricky style. Not the best, but judging by these reviews, somewhat underrated. I recommend it.
★ 551 characters