McEwan's 80/-
McEwan's

 

Malty Scottish ale, had it from tap in Scotland - not bad............................... Now 4.2%, previously 4.5%. Was also previously known as Younger’s IPA. Production moved from Fountain to Caledonian in Dec 2004. Brand acquired by Wells & Youngs in 2011.

i've probably cumulatively had more pints of heavy (as 80/- is referred to here) in my life than of every single other type of beer put together. it takes two minutes longer to pour than any other beer but my god is it worth it. like drinking an alcoholic malt milkshake. there is simply no better beer - though as others have noted, make sure you get it at a pub where they know how to keep their taps clean. a bad pint of heavy can be crushingly disappointing

 

 

On tap at the Grays Mill pub in Edinburgh.
Lovely pour, with a clear copper body topped by an exceptionally creamy white head. The aroma is mild, earthy and not very inviting, but the flavor is quite good. Light body with a very pleasant soft feel.

 

 

 

 

 

On cask, served at what appeared to be slightly colder than room temperature at the Pot & Still, Glasgow, Scotland, April 20, 2009:

A: The beer appeared a clear dark copper-ish color with a thin, but creamy white head. A thin layer of the head remained throughout the beer.

S: An aroma of malt with a hint of hops. Average at best.

T: The taste was better than I expected after trying the 70/- prior to this one. A nice roasted malt flavor, with a hint of nuts, and floral hops.

M/D: The beer had a medium body to it, it was smooth and creamy and very easy to drink. Limited carbonation with a bit of a bitter hop aftertaste. Very enjoyable.

Appearance - Clear copper color with a creamy off white head..

Aroma - Very light malt aroma. Clean smelling with not much going on in the way of distinguishable smells.

Palate - Smooth medium bodied brew with low carbonation.

Flavor - Light caramel notes with a hint of floral hop and hay.

Final thoughts - Very nice brew. A little boring for me but a good example of a fine Scottish ale.

Poured into a traditional pint glass.

Once left to settle after the pour - i felt it was a bit murky looking, like dirty dishwater - not really a ruby colouring - i guess ill settle and say it was pale brown. Nice thick creamy head though - 2 fingers.

S - not much here to be honest, - faint malts, no hops at all.

T- Was pleasantly surprised here. Some nice roasted nots with a faint toffee sweetness, even on the aftertaste, some faint nuttiness came through, not overly bitter, quite a good balance. Loads of creamy brussels lacing - even after finishing the pint, the head was left lying at the bottom of the glass.

M - low carbonation, creamy texture, smooth.

D - A very sessionable beer this one, was surprised by the character in the taste after not being impressed by the appearance. Had a few pints of this aswell, did not get sick of it -a great scottish ale.

This is a Scottish classic that has been destroyed by modern pub methods. Stay away from the awful nitro tap version of this beer.

A ruby-brown ale with a slightly darker than average head. The nose is a good hint of roasted barley with a hint of caramel, this is evident in a lot of Scottish beers of this type.

The pint has a good body and goes down very well. The taste is a good mixture of hops, roasted barley with a hint of caramel and nuts.

You need to find the right pub to drink this. This is a pint that is awful if the pub landlords do not look after their beer. Had a very good pint of this in my old local, went on to a pub with my mate and couldn't finish the pint I ordered. Then to my surprise went to another real ale bar and it was available there. We enjoyed the beer that much we stayed there all night.

This is a good beer, but if you are served a bad pint it really can put you off. I have already mentioned it but: stay well away from the awful nitro version.

Had this on-tap at our hotel bar in Edinburgh the first week of May.

Beautifully poured copper colored beer with a nice long lasting creamy white head. Nose was pretty much not there other than a wee bit of a hint of malts. Taste was lightly malty and finished with a mild bitter hop. Mouthfeel was thin but this was extremely smooth. Drinkability was sessionable and fairly enjoyable.

Pint: Fife Arms Hotel, Dufftown,Scotland.
Slightly murky brown( some cascading effect),with a large creamy off white head
The aroma is pretty subdued, due probably to this being served a tad too chilled. As it warms pleasant malts appear.
Very very smooth beer the taste is of sweet malts but with chocolaty and nutty accents.Small taste of hops at the very end,.
wonderful mouthfeel, exceptionally smooth.

Exceptional drinkability, I had several pints..nice,

On tap at the Dunvegan Pub at the corner of North Street and Golf Place in St. Andrews, Kingdom of Fife, Scotland. We walked up here after 36 holes on the Old and New Courses. (81-80) I was hoping for a great beer on tap, imagine my surprise to find my choices were this and Miller Lite. What ? This was one of my more anticipated beers in recent memory.
Medium shiny copper color. Nice foamy tan head. Very much expected. Some faint malt smells, some sweet carmel smells, and lots of mineral, and medicine aromas. Taste was mostly a slick carmel taste combined with the hard mineral smells. Underlying was a malty sweetness. The finish was watery and the beer fell apart fast. Sweet slickness lingers. The flavors were not the same as most Scottish Ales, more watery and artificial. An acquired taste maybe. Still one of the more memorable beers, just do to the setting. There are more pictures of major champions and past U.S. Presidents pictures (5) while present at this bar, than anywhere else in the world.

Not much flavour at all, creamy texture (which i don't like), a bit of malt flavour and a bit of hops, but way too light. sweet and pissy flavour, pretty horrible, but not the worst.