Shockwave Scottish Ale
Pumphouse Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a pretty good scottish ale here. pours a dark wheat color bordering on light brown, 2 inch thick foamy head. smells a little smokey, pale malts and some caramel malts, and a moderate alcohol nose. flavor is identical, with just a bit more of the smokey richness coming through. nice drawn out malty finish in this one. the abv is actually concealed better than the smell indicates, and its quite easy drinking considering. well carbonated, medium bodied or a little heavier. went very well with a bison burger. yum

 

First had: on tap at their brewpub

Probably the least impressive of all the beers I tried at Pumphouse. The oak-aged version was slightly better, but still pretty meh. Poured a syrupy reddish-mahogany with just a few lonely bubbles in place of a head. Almost nothing in the aroma; mild caramel malts and a touch of peat, but very weak and almost unnoticeable. Sweet malts in the taste, caramel, peat, moderately medicinal; smooth, but not very tasty. Heavy-medium mouthfeel, a bit filmy, and not too strong for the style. Would not get again, even to sample. I find myself less and less impressed by Scottish ales lately, and this was no champion among them.

on tap at the brewery. poured a clear dark reddish brown color, with a medium tan head. on the nose this one was hugely phenolic, with aromas of smoke, burnt caramel and roast. full-bodied, moderately carbonated, with caramel, campfire smoke, brine and sweet malt. a fairly intense, but ultimately enjoyable example of the style.