Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale | Moylan's Brewery
Brewed by:
Moylan's Brewery
California, United States | website
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by kbub6f on 06-07-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 396 | Ratings: 733
3.72/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
L-The pour is a reddish brown with a sizeable 2 finger off white head. Lacing is made up of big foamy islands around the glass. The head recedes to a thin film which thickens at the edges of the glass.
S- The nose is very typical of a scotch ale. There are notes of caramel, toffee, and a touch of vanilla.
T- The taste follows the nose with the caramel malts and toffee. There is minimal bitterness. Alcohol is hidden well. Very much a one note brew.
F- Despite the large head, the carbonation is pretty minimal. The beer feels a little light for the style.
O- The mouthfeel kind of let's me down. I wanted a little more substance. There are better options available, although the beer is certainly drinkable.
★ 712 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
L-The pour is a reddish brown with a sizeable 2 finger off white head. Lacing is made up of big foamy islands around the glass. The head recedes to a thin film which thickens at the edges of the glass.
S- The nose is very typical of a scotch ale. There are notes of caramel, toffee, and a touch of vanilla.
T- The taste follows the nose with the caramel malts and toffee. There is minimal bitterness. Alcohol is hidden well. Very much a one note brew.
F- Despite the large head, the carbonation is pretty minimal. The beer feels a little light for the style.
O- The mouthfeel kind of let's me down. I wanted a little more substance. There are better options available, although the beer is certainly drinkable.
★ 712 characters
3.15/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Bottle from Boise Co-op. Dark amber/ brown color with frothy head. Normal earthy, peaty aroma, but flavor comes off as a bit sweet, molasses and brown sugar. Mild bittersweet finish.
★ 182 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
Bottle from Boise Co-op. Dark amber/ brown color with frothy head. Normal earthy, peaty aroma, but flavor comes off as a bit sweet, molasses and brown sugar. Mild bittersweet finish.
★ 182 characters
3.68/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Purchased and hoisted in honour of Robbie Burns Day. Pours a rich mahogany colour, negligible head. Hints of toffee and dark fruit on the nose. I prefer my scotch ales to have some smoke and peat. Neither are evident in this beer, but it's not a bad thing. I would be interested to taste this alongside some other beers of the same style.
★ 338 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Purchased and hoisted in honour of Robbie Burns Day. Pours a rich mahogany colour, negligible head. Hints of toffee and dark fruit on the nose. I prefer my scotch ales to have some smoke and peat. Neither are evident in this beer, but it's not a bad thing. I would be interested to taste this alongside some other beers of the same style.
★ 338 characters
3.9/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is a very unique Wee Heavy. No peat or smokiness but in the background there is a dark fruit pruned flavour. In a strange way it all works and is a very enjoyable wee heavy.
★ 178 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
This is a very unique Wee Heavy. No peat or smokiness but in the background there is a dark fruit pruned flavour. In a strange way it all works and is a very enjoyable wee heavy.
★ 178 characters
4.01/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
November 12, 2015
16 oz can, snifter
A – Rich mahogany with deep amber hues, the color of rich toffee. A very thin off-white to cream-colored head barely registers before fading quickly. Mostly clear, maybe light sediment haze.
S – A lot of toffee and rich caramel lead the nose. Light chocolate and minor notes of vanilla and cherries. All malt, perhaps a tinge of herbal-sweet hop aromas.
T – Like liquid crème brulee, with toffee, caramelized brown sugar, and light vanilla all prominent in the mix. No hop flavor.
M – Medium to medium-full body, very malty with mild sweetness. Carbonation is moderate but seems much lower because of the malt level.
O – A very flavorful scotch ale, very satisfying, if not particularly memorable.
★ 760 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
November 12, 2015
16 oz can, snifter
A – Rich mahogany with deep amber hues, the color of rich toffee. A very thin off-white to cream-colored head barely registers before fading quickly. Mostly clear, maybe light sediment haze.
S – A lot of toffee and rich caramel lead the nose. Light chocolate and minor notes of vanilla and cherries. All malt, perhaps a tinge of herbal-sweet hop aromas.
T – Like liquid crème brulee, with toffee, caramelized brown sugar, and light vanilla all prominent in the mix. No hop flavor.
M – Medium to medium-full body, very malty with mild sweetness. Carbonation is moderate but seems much lower because of the malt level.
O – A very flavorful scotch ale, very satisfying, if not particularly memorable.
★ 760 characters
4.74/5 rDev +27.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
With a bronze color, it has a nicely subtle, malt forward and balanced taste, with a light citrus and dried fruit aroma that’s not too citrusy. It also has some subtle dried fruit aftertaste to compliment its balanced mouthfeel. Overall, this is a solid non-peat scotch ale!
★ 276 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
With a bronze color, it has a nicely subtle, malt forward and balanced taste, with a light citrus and dried fruit aroma that’s not too citrusy. It also has some subtle dried fruit aftertaste to compliment its balanced mouthfeel. Overall, this is a solid non-peat scotch ale!
★ 276 characters
3.68/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This style is all about maltiness: pure, unadulterated malt goodness. This smells promising, with large amounts of caramel, molasses, and brown sugar coexisting with powerful fruit esters. I could use a touch more smoke, but otherwise the aroma succeeds. The flavor brings nice amounts of caramel sweetness throughout. Hints of cherry, peach, brown sugar, molasses, and graham cracker appear as well. Basically, just like the nose suggested (don't you love that?) I swear I'm tasting an illusory glimpse of smoke here and there, along side a touch of earthy hop flavors. It also has a full, round, lush, and sweet texture - this is sipper through and through. This is the kind of beer I *WANT* to sip, though. I like this style, and this is a really good example of said style.
3.68/5: A delicious cold-weather sipper
★ 819 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This style is all about maltiness: pure, unadulterated malt goodness. This smells promising, with large amounts of caramel, molasses, and brown sugar coexisting with powerful fruit esters. I could use a touch more smoke, but otherwise the aroma succeeds. The flavor brings nice amounts of caramel sweetness throughout. Hints of cherry, peach, brown sugar, molasses, and graham cracker appear as well. Basically, just like the nose suggested (don't you love that?) I swear I'm tasting an illusory glimpse of smoke here and there, along side a touch of earthy hop flavors. It also has a full, round, lush, and sweet texture - this is sipper through and through. This is the kind of beer I *WANT* to sip, though. I like this style, and this is a really good example of said style.
3.68/5: A delicious cold-weather sipper
★ 819 characters
4.25/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours garnet chestnut under a finely bubbled 1” cream colored foam collar that produces gothic window lace.
S: Spice malts and light creamed corn.
T: Rich malt flavors, bread, caramel to toffee, trace of anise, slight fruit, plum, finishes with a moderate hop accent.
F: Smooth, creamy, full body, medium to medium low carbonation
O: A malty, smooth, full flavored beer.
★ 380 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: Pours garnet chestnut under a finely bubbled 1” cream colored foam collar that produces gothic window lace.
S: Spice malts and light creamed corn.
T: Rich malt flavors, bread, caramel to toffee, trace of anise, slight fruit, plum, finishes with a moderate hop accent.
F: Smooth, creamy, full body, medium to medium low carbonation
O: A malty, smooth, full flavored beer.
★ 380 characters
3.34/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Look - dark copper, murky like a chill haze. No particles floating though I had expected them.
Smell - Malt forward, no hops that I can find, sweet, very slight alcohol. Smells good.
Taste - sweet Carmel malts, light sting in the back of the mouth to offset some of the sweetness. I won't count it against the beer but, unfortunately the earthy taste I pick up is very reminiscent of alfalfa tablets my mom gave me as a kid.
Mouthfeel - medium with light carbonation. Not syrupy as with many malty higher gravity beers.
Overall - if I can get over my childhood vitamin/supplements trauma I would be quicker to return to this beer. Many others would probably love it.
★ 670 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Look - dark copper, murky like a chill haze. No particles floating though I had expected them.
Smell - Malt forward, no hops that I can find, sweet, very slight alcohol. Smells good.
Taste - sweet Carmel malts, light sting in the back of the mouth to offset some of the sweetness. I won't count it against the beer but, unfortunately the earthy taste I pick up is very reminiscent of alfalfa tablets my mom gave me as a kid.
Mouthfeel - medium with light carbonation. Not syrupy as with many malty higher gravity beers.
Overall - if I can get over my childhood vitamin/supplements trauma I would be quicker to return to this beer. Many others would probably love it.
★ 670 characters
3.78/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
8.0% ABV,
A - cloudy light brown, copper color, one finger head.
S - not much on the nose, bit of nutty n caramel sweetness.
T - medium to high body, toffee candy sweet, malty following, not bitter.
O - good beer that ppl wanna try out diff kind of beer, full of favors, don't except this is a refreshing beer.
★ 311 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
8.0% ABV,
A - cloudy light brown, copper color, one finger head.
S - not much on the nose, bit of nutty n caramel sweetness.
T - medium to high body, toffee candy sweet, malty following, not bitter.
O - good beer that ppl wanna try out diff kind of beer, full of favors, don't except this is a refreshing beer.
★ 311 characters
3.99/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance : Beautiful burnt red color with 80% transparency. The head is luscious and thick, 2 fingers tall. It leaves splats of lacing as it recedes gracefully.
Aroma : Beautiful oak and woody aromas, kilned and roasted malts, faint cherry and peach. Graham cracker. Maybe a touch of clove and marshmallow. Delightful.
Taste : Very nice baked flavor with wood accents. Baked cracker, lightly toasted sourdough bread. Aged cherry in oak barrels. Chocolate covered cherry. Light yeasty character. Ends slightly zingy with more cherry and kilned wood and light chocolate. Decadent.
Mouthfeel : Bordering on light bodied; mildly carbonated but adequate for this beer, ends parched on the top half, wet on the bottom half. Yin-yang thing going there.
Overall : Hell yes, I'd buy this again. A great scottish ale.
★ 814 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance : Beautiful burnt red color with 80% transparency. The head is luscious and thick, 2 fingers tall. It leaves splats of lacing as it recedes gracefully.
Aroma : Beautiful oak and woody aromas, kilned and roasted malts, faint cherry and peach. Graham cracker. Maybe a touch of clove and marshmallow. Delightful.
Taste : Very nice baked flavor with wood accents. Baked cracker, lightly toasted sourdough bread. Aged cherry in oak barrels. Chocolate covered cherry. Light yeasty character. Ends slightly zingy with more cherry and kilned wood and light chocolate. Decadent.
Mouthfeel : Bordering on light bodied; mildly carbonated but adequate for this beer, ends parched on the top half, wet on the bottom half. Yin-yang thing going there.
Overall : Hell yes, I'd buy this again. A great scottish ale.
★ 814 characters
3.77/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sweet malty, copper entry. Fruitiness is upfront and pronounced- prune, raisin, dark fruits. Cooked caramel adds some warmth to the glass. Soft, earthy hop bitterness comes in about 3/4 palate and on. Hops are slightly floral and pungent and the bitterness finishes soft and clean. Dull smoky notes are present from time to time, more apparent as the beer warms. Alcohol present from beginning to end, would like it to be covered a little better. Drinkability is average, hard to finish as the beer reaches room temp. Metallic taste in the aftertaste as the beer warms. Medium thin body. Carbonation is low, just enough to add to the beer versus take away from it.
★ 664 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sweet malty, copper entry. Fruitiness is upfront and pronounced- prune, raisin, dark fruits. Cooked caramel adds some warmth to the glass. Soft, earthy hop bitterness comes in about 3/4 palate and on. Hops are slightly floral and pungent and the bitterness finishes soft and clean. Dull smoky notes are present from time to time, more apparent as the beer warms. Alcohol present from beginning to end, would like it to be covered a little better. Drinkability is average, hard to finish as the beer reaches room temp. Metallic taste in the aftertaste as the beer warms. Medium thin body. Carbonation is low, just enough to add to the beer versus take away from it.
★ 664 characters
3.34/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a dark ruby brown with a light khaki/off-white single finger of foam.
Slightly fruity, caramel, biscuity, and definite ethanol aroma.
Caramel, raisin, figs, some vanilla, and bready malt maltbackbone.
Medium-bodied, medium carbonation, fruity, sweet, dry finish.
Overall, this doesn't hold up against most of the scotch ales that I enjoy, namely Claymore and Dirty Bastard.
★ 384 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a dark ruby brown with a light khaki/off-white single finger of foam.
Slightly fruity, caramel, biscuity, and definite ethanol aroma.
Caramel, raisin, figs, some vanilla, and bready malt maltbackbone.
Medium-bodied, medium carbonation, fruity, sweet, dry finish.
Overall, this doesn't hold up against most of the scotch ales that I enjoy, namely Claymore and Dirty Bastard.
★ 384 characters
3.75/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale has a thick, cream-colored head, a mostly clear, ruby, appearance, with ascending stray bubbles and some nice sheet lacing left behind. The aroma is of sweet, mildly fruit, bread crust, and a touch of alcohol. Taste is of those elements, plus some caramel, alongside subdued alcohol and low level bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium, and Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale finishes semi-dry and relatively drinkable.
RJT
★ 463 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale has a thick, cream-colored head, a mostly clear, ruby, appearance, with ascending stray bubbles and some nice sheet lacing left behind. The aroma is of sweet, mildly fruit, bread crust, and a touch of alcohol. Taste is of those elements, plus some caramel, alongside subdued alcohol and low level bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium, and Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale finishes semi-dry and relatively drinkable.
RJT
★ 463 characters
4.04/5 rDev +8.6%
Smells like butter caramel malt. Yum.
Lots of flavors here. Definite sweet butterscotch and caramel malt presence. A get a bit of vanilla, a scotchy peaty characteristic that is subdued by the sweetness of the malt. Dried prunes raisins and fruitcake.
Mouthfeel is a very nice medium body. Just enough carbonation to keep things interesting.
This is a great example of the style.
★ 383 characters
Smells like butter caramel malt. Yum.
Lots of flavors here. Definite sweet butterscotch and caramel malt presence. A get a bit of vanilla, a scotchy peaty characteristic that is subdued by the sweetness of the malt. Dried prunes raisins and fruitcake.
Mouthfeel is a very nice medium body. Just enough carbonation to keep things interesting.
This is a great example of the style.
★ 383 characters
4/5 rDev +7.5%
Lots of breadiness and some butterscotch/caramel flavor that creeps through. Wasn't my favorite at first sip but as I continue to sip on it the butterscotch seems to come through a little more for me. Then again, most Wee Heavy ales aren't my favorite at first sip.
★ 265 characters
Lots of breadiness and some butterscotch/caramel flavor that creeps through. Wasn't my favorite at first sip but as I continue to sip on it the butterscotch seems to come through a little more for me. Then again, most Wee Heavy ales aren't my favorite at first sip.
★ 265 characters
3.96/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
First experience with Moylan's Kilt Lifter was in Lake Tahoe. I read up on it decided to try it. I had a few friends with me that drank the yellow fizzy stuff, so I decided to treat them each to a glass. They really enjoyed it I think it might have been a tad too strong for them, oh well. I rather enjoyed it to the point that is all I drank while in Lake Tahoe for a week. Looking for local Southern California pubs or stores to supply it.
Very tasty and unique enough to want more. Look forward to Stone Fest and see if they have it there.
★ 544 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
First experience with Moylan's Kilt Lifter was in Lake Tahoe. I read up on it decided to try it. I had a few friends with me that drank the yellow fizzy stuff, so I decided to treat them each to a glass. They really enjoyed it I think it might have been a tad too strong for them, oh well. I rather enjoyed it to the point that is all I drank while in Lake Tahoe for a week. Looking for local Southern California pubs or stores to supply it.
Very tasty and unique enough to want more. Look forward to Stone Fest and see if they have it there.
★ 544 characters
3.72/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: very dark, nice foam head
S: Not too much aroma, you can smell the toasted malt
T: toasted malt, scotch, caramel, malt, toffee
M: medium body, dry finish
O: A favorite beer that I've had many times. One of the best scotch ales around and not overpriced like many are. A defining beer for Moylans Brewery
★ 310 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: very dark, nice foam head
S: Not too much aroma, you can smell the toasted malt
T: toasted malt, scotch, caramel, malt, toffee
M: medium body, dry finish
O: A favorite beer that I've had many times. One of the best scotch ales around and not overpriced like many are. A defining beer for Moylans Brewery
★ 310 characters
3.56/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Opaque reddish-copper color with a light tan 2-finger head. Medium+ retention with a fine structure to the carbonation and a moderate level of lacing in the glass.
Light caramel, butterscotch, christmas pudding, white pepper, light hop spice and light brown bread on the nose. Feels a little sweet and disjointed.
Brown butter, caramel, butterscotch, brown malt and a light spice. Light bitterness on the palate.
Medium+ bodied and sweet. On the verge of cloying. Medium length to the finish.
★ 495 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Opaque reddish-copper color with a light tan 2-finger head. Medium+ retention with a fine structure to the carbonation and a moderate level of lacing in the glass.
Light caramel, butterscotch, christmas pudding, white pepper, light hop spice and light brown bread on the nose. Feels a little sweet and disjointed.
Brown butter, caramel, butterscotch, brown malt and a light spice. Light bitterness on the palate.
Medium+ bodied and sweet. On the verge of cloying. Medium length to the finish.
★ 495 characters
3.42/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Kilt LIfter pours a a clearish light brown color with a nice lacing head. There is a creamy put pettish aroma. The taste is a nice creamy but sharp malty taste, with hints of alcohol coming through. The taste is a little too watery, and weak body. Overall a pretty average Scotch Ale, but still enjoyable.
★ 305 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Kilt LIfter pours a a clearish light brown color with a nice lacing head. There is a creamy put pettish aroma. The taste is a nice creamy but sharp malty taste, with hints of alcohol coming through. The taste is a little too watery, and weak body. Overall a pretty average Scotch Ale, but still enjoyable.
★ 305 characters
3.79/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
22oz bomber. Memories of leafy suburban Portland are evoked by this label, and by that, I mean a cool little liquor store there where I first encountered this brewery's offerings. The name 'Kilt Lifter', though, already has two predecessors in my local market, both of which (their mutual lawsuit aside) have recently faded out of existence. Welcome, then.
This beer pours a clear, red-brick amber hue, with two fingers of tightly puffy, bubbly, and fairly creamy pale beige head, which leaves a random array of islet and archipelago lace around the glass as it duly recedes.
It smells of slightly smoked, strong caramel/toffee malt, with a hint of old-world treacle, some indeterminate whisk(e)y notes - the peat suggestive of Scotch (along with the name), but the additional vanilla and soused spice seeming all too Bourbon County, USA to me. The wood is non-denominational, really, as are the leafy, earthy hops. The taste is big and malty, with a surprisingly reserved smokiness, the sugary caramel fairly brash, with foreign toffee candy bar notes, some wet breadiness, dark-ish orchard fruit, mild wooden whiskey esters - vanilla, grainy planks, and a certain rye spice character. Some of those tame earthy, leafy hops from the nose do tend to linger.
The carbonation is really understated and hard to quantify, the body a decent medium weight, smooth like a Christmas fruitcake, and even a wee bit creamy. It finishes on the sweet side, fo sho, the somewhat clunky malt now exposed for its American heritage, and I utter that with love, as the hops, wispy smoke, and ABV whimper in the shadows.
A decent, if one dimensional (and by that, I mean multidimensional, but in the wrong way) wee heavy ale, the complexity of the style forgone by the demands of the West Coast, I presume. If you're gonna make an ale not of that ilk, as I imagine the design meeting proceeding, let's make it so true to its origins (i.e. no real discernible hops), that you couldn't mistake it for anything else. So there you have it - good, but a bit unbalanced, with a well-sublimated ABV overall.
★ 2,086 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
22oz bomber. Memories of leafy suburban Portland are evoked by this label, and by that, I mean a cool little liquor store there where I first encountered this brewery's offerings. The name 'Kilt Lifter', though, already has two predecessors in my local market, both of which (their mutual lawsuit aside) have recently faded out of existence. Welcome, then.
This beer pours a clear, red-brick amber hue, with two fingers of tightly puffy, bubbly, and fairly creamy pale beige head, which leaves a random array of islet and archipelago lace around the glass as it duly recedes.
It smells of slightly smoked, strong caramel/toffee malt, with a hint of old-world treacle, some indeterminate whisk(e)y notes - the peat suggestive of Scotch (along with the name), but the additional vanilla and soused spice seeming all too Bourbon County, USA to me. The wood is non-denominational, really, as are the leafy, earthy hops. The taste is big and malty, with a surprisingly reserved smokiness, the sugary caramel fairly brash, with foreign toffee candy bar notes, some wet breadiness, dark-ish orchard fruit, mild wooden whiskey esters - vanilla, grainy planks, and a certain rye spice character. Some of those tame earthy, leafy hops from the nose do tend to linger.
The carbonation is really understated and hard to quantify, the body a decent medium weight, smooth like a Christmas fruitcake, and even a wee bit creamy. It finishes on the sweet side, fo sho, the somewhat clunky malt now exposed for its American heritage, and I utter that with love, as the hops, wispy smoke, and ABV whimper in the shadows.
A decent, if one dimensional (and by that, I mean multidimensional, but in the wrong way) wee heavy ale, the complexity of the style forgone by the demands of the West Coast, I presume. If you're gonna make an ale not of that ilk, as I imagine the design meeting proceeding, let's make it so true to its origins (i.e. no real discernible hops), that you couldn't mistake it for anything else. So there you have it - good, but a bit unbalanced, with a well-sublimated ABV overall.
★ 2,086 characters
3.94/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
The Kilt Lifter is great...the second time around. I brought this from Sick-n-Twisted in SD to Utah to share with my good friend the Chicken Man. The beer pours a pretty rich clear amber with thin white head that is not lacing. The scent has a purty caramelly malt base. The taste is a nice evenly balanced beer with smooth carbonation. Overall...this is one heck of a solid scotch ale and I would recommend it to anyone Scotch Ale fan.
★ 436 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
The Kilt Lifter is great...the second time around. I brought this from Sick-n-Twisted in SD to Utah to share with my good friend the Chicken Man. The beer pours a pretty rich clear amber with thin white head that is not lacing. The scent has a purty caramelly malt base. The taste is a nice evenly balanced beer with smooth carbonation. Overall...this is one heck of a solid scotch ale and I would recommend it to anyone Scotch Ale fan.
★ 436 characters
2.49/5 rDev -33.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2
Had on nitro.
Pours a clear medium brown with a little head and leaves tons of lacing as the beer is drunk
Aroma is weak as is often the case with nitro beers but there is some licorice and grass along with a touch of smokiness.
The flavor is quite weak as well. Some smoke and char along with a little bit of grass. There is a little nuttiness and a moderate amount of sweetness with just a light bitterness.
Overall, I was quite underwhelmed. Flavor was lacking all-around and it is just a boring beer. Maybe the nitro hurt it but I doubt I will be picking up a bottle anytime soon.
★ 588 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2
Had on nitro.
Pours a clear medium brown with a little head and leaves tons of lacing as the beer is drunk
Aroma is weak as is often the case with nitro beers but there is some licorice and grass along with a touch of smokiness.
The flavor is quite weak as well. Some smoke and char along with a little bit of grass. There is a little nuttiness and a moderate amount of sweetness with just a light bitterness.
Overall, I was quite underwhelmed. Flavor was lacking all-around and it is just a boring beer. Maybe the nitro hurt it but I doubt I will be picking up a bottle anytime soon.
★ 588 characters
3.7/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear reddish/copper, with an almost non-existent head. Aromas of plums and a hint of copper(metallic). Taste begins with dried fruit, then some dark caramel, then a husky grain, and an earthy, sugary finish. Mouthfeel is a touch light. Overall a nice ale, though a bit too sweet for me, even for the style. I also wish there was a bit more smokiness to it.
★ 365 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a clear reddish/copper, with an almost non-existent head. Aromas of plums and a hint of copper(metallic). Taste begins with dried fruit, then some dark caramel, then a husky grain, and an earthy, sugary finish. Mouthfeel is a touch light. Overall a nice ale, though a bit too sweet for me, even for the style. I also wish there was a bit more smokiness to it.
★ 365 characters
Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale from Moylan's Brewery
3.72
out of 5
based on 733 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Brown pour, ample 3/4" tannish head. Aroma had a mixture of earthiness, wood and sweet.
Taste, didn't expect this degree of sweetness. Counteracts the other aspect of the beer, somewhat. Plenty of those toffee, caramel and coffee feels from the malt. Not a ton of peat notes even though there is earthiness. Body isn't overly heavy. Everything Moylans is bomber only, so that isn't going to help any scores.
★ 415 characters