Scottish Ale
Granville Island Brewery

 

 

 

A - nearly black with hints of blood red when held up to the light, one finger of head settled quickly at a thin random cover
S - nutty with hint of caramel, light spicy grain and just a touch of peat funk
T - starts nutty with subtle smoke, spicy grain, some molasses
M - slightly heavy, smooth with just a touch of spice kick, finishes full
O - not a peaty ale as I was expecting but its not necessary here, its fairly robust and tasty in its own right

Granville Is. 'Scottish Ale @ 6.5% , the 2013 limited edition served from a 650 ml bottle purchased for $6

A-pour is a dark brown with a small off white head leaving a minimal lace ring along the pint glass

S-roasted peat malt , earthy

T-roasted barley , lots of different malts

MF-mild carbonation , medium/full bodied

Ov-again ok beer , I need to remember Scottish Ale no thanxs , Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy yes please

sampled alongside Spinnaker's Jameson Scottish Ale

prost LampertLand

650ml bottle, GIB's current seasonal offering.

This beer pours a clear, very dark bronzed amber hue, with two fingers of puffy, densely foamy tan head, which leaves some broad, layered painted lace around the glass as it evenly recedes.

It smells of biscuity, bready malt, a touch of toffee, some muddled lemon zest, and floral, leafy hops. The taste is crackery caramel malt, a lingering dry biscuit graininess, a few more complex hard toffee notes, orange and lemon pith, and leafy, earthy, almost perfumed hops.

The bubbles are a tad frizzy, but settle to a dull hum for the most part, the body a sturdy medium weight, and adequately smooth, that dry crackery essence taking off a layer of proverbial skin. It finishes off-dry, the same biscuit/toffee malt toying with the lingering fruit, and flora-wide hops.

A pretty enjoyable scotch ale, especially given the ESB-like tendencies (yay Canada!). The extra dose of ABV is suitably integrated, and a balance is soon reached, wherein I just want to be at a pub, sipping away the remains of the day with this, Scottish melancholy aside.

 

Nice looking amber brown, almost cola coloured ale with an off white foam that disapates into a small ring.
Big roasted malty scents rise up as do some brown sugar and molasses notes. Kinda smells like a fresh mincemeat pie.
Very smooth, with a good sweetness. Carbonation is mild and there is a bit of fruit at the finish that resembles a strong Belgian. Slight bitterness at the end to balance it t nicely.
Very tasty indeed and at 6.5% is a very easy drinker.

At least a 90 shilling, but not quite as big as some Wee Heavy Ales.

A: Deep amber-brown, light tan head, thin ring of retention, hints of lace.

S: Caramel, roasted nut, fruity (raspberry, bubblegum, figs and apple), and hints of rind.

T: Caramel, roasted nut, slightly earthy, orange rind, figs, black berry, fruit bread, hints of chocolate and smoke, modest bitterness allows the sweet malts to shine. Personally, I'd cut back on the crystal malt sweetness and bottle it unfiltered... but it's good.

M: Moderately full body has some residual sweetness; carbonation a bit lower than average, which is nice.

D: A good drinker.