Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale
Pike Brewing Company

Phyl21ca from Canada

3.73/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Draft: Poured a clear burgundy color ale with a medium off-white foamy head with OK retention and light carbonation. Aroma of caramelized malt with light toffee notes is enjoyable. Taste is also a mix of caramelized malt notes, some toffee with some residual sugar notes. Body is about average with good carbonation. Not the most complex offering from the style but enjoyable nonetheless.

Oct 13, 2019

Mrbob558 from New York

3.32/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is my first scotch ale, so I have nothing similar to contrast it to, but I was not very impressed with this beer. I go along with the mouth puckering taste and feel comment of another reviewer. The smell was fine, similar to a scotch whiskey. Color was ok. All in all ok, but nothing gry.

Sep 17, 2019

JarMills from Canada

3.09/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

Had a bottle. Tatse was sour, acidic and slightly hoppy tones. It pours a nice ruby red, and smells decent, but the taste and mouth feel are puckering.

Aug 23, 2018

zeff80 from Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap. Poured a dark brown color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It smelled of smoked malt, peat and toffee. Good earthy tasting beer with a smokiness and roasted malt taste.

Jun 01, 2018

Holderness from Massachusetts

3.06/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

L -- Pours a clarified amber body with a 1.5-finger off-white head. Good retention and lacing
S -- Brown sugar, molasses, caramel, touch of herbal hops and smoke
T -- Herbal hops, honey, molasses, caramel
F -- Semi-sweet, interesting interplay between hops and molasses. Medium- mouthfeel, medium+ carb.

62/100

Apr 15, 2018

kemoarps from Washington

3.67/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Deep rich honey coloured body. Small off white head quickly settles into the ring around the collar and perhaps some webbing across the liquid.

Nose is earthy and spicy sweet malts. Hints of caramel and faint toffee to meet with soda-bread.

Same on the tongue. Starts with a light sweet caramel with some toasted biscuits. Short up front, then brings the earthy bitter/spicy tone and rolls through an indecisive stretch before settling deeply into an almost vegetal bitter finish fleshed out with more of the toasty malts.

Crisp and sharply carbonated. Fairly thin, but not watery. Finishes more dry. Goes down easy.

Apr 14, 2018

BorisNorris from Idaho

3.01/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Pours dirty brown with ruby-ish highlights; thin tan head. Rich malt aroma, toffee, plums. Sweet, rich toffee flavor to start, dark fruit, plum-esque flavor finishes it off. Hop flavor and bitterness is very low. Noticeable alcohol, but not overpowering or unpleasant. Medium-full body that engulfs the palate and then floats away into a dry, earthy mild bitterness.

Jan 19, 2018

Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.79/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a thistle, the appearance was a dark amber to red/brown color with a finger and a half's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a moderate pace. Not much lace, somewhat stringy, yet sliding.
The aroma had a nice blend of red delicious apples, light herbal to earthy sweetness, caramel/toffee malts, light biscuits, and ended with some raisins.
The flavor did a decent job of melding all of those prior mentioned aromas together to nurture the same sort of aftertaste.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied, seemed to sit just a touch under and had a nice and low carbonation about it as it should. ABV did feel appropriate.
Overall, as a Scotch ale, it works, the herbal/earthiness was there with some other aromas and flavors that I didn't mind that seemed a bit different. I'd still have again.

Aug 12, 2017

gandres from Philippines

3.53/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pint Glass during happy hour at the Issian Stonegrill at Wallingford, Seattle on Monday after New Year
amber hazy big off white foam that disappear slowly
not a lot of aroma
very good bitterness
long follow through, bitter aftertaste
very good beer, can be repeat, but not something to look forward to
drank: January 2, 2017 5:03 PM

Jan 03, 2017

Libeertarian from Montana

3.78/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

From notes taken 07/08/16:

Clear at first, quite hazy and nearly opaque with last bit of pour. Deep copper. Quite a bit darker than brandy, but still lighter than ruby. Fine, cream-foam head, biscuity-tan with moderate retention. Surprising lacing for how small the head is. Caramel, toffee, booze, dark fruit on the nose. All of these same qualities in flavor, balanced somewhat by toastiness, and finished with hops that are lightly metallic, and just barely more earthy. Aftertaste is soapy but thankfully not strong. Medium-bodied, velvety cream to pure cream.

Oct 20, 2016

Lewarcher1949 from Washington

3.96/5  rDev +9.7%
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.

May 07, 2016

brewskifan55 from Mississippi

3.73/5  rDev +3.3%
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.

Apr 25, 2016

neenerzig from Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +11.6%
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

Mar 23, 2016

rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.15/5  rDev -12.7%
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.

Mar 01, 2016

Peter_Anderson from Washington

3.59/5  rDev -0.6%
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.

May 26, 2015

takusan1000 from Washington

3.41/5  rDev -5.5%
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.

May 13, 2015

dabone from Washington

4.07/5  rDev +12.7%
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.

May 09, 2015

DoubleJ from Wisconsin

3.54/5  rDev -1.9%
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.

Apr 24, 2015

HipCzech from Texas

3.65/5  rDev +1.1%
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.

Jan 31, 2015

Kris450 from Iowa

3.87/5  rDev +7.2%
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

Jan 20, 2015

WAbeerfiend from Washington

1/5  rDev -72.3%

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

Oct 07, 2014

ExtraStout from Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -3%

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%.

Oct 05, 2014

delta490 from Virginia

3.54/5  rDev -1.9%
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.

Jul 08, 2014

SitkaSteve from Idaho

3.25/5  rDev -10%

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.

May 27, 2014

damndirtyape from Ohio

3.67/5  rDev +1.7%
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.

Apr 04, 2014