80 Shilling
4th Street Brewing Co.

I'd previously had problems with Main Street's version of a strong Scotch ale. In that case the peat malts were overblown outside all possible comfort zones and I endured one of the most agonizing hangovers I've ever known as a consequence.

This smaller Scottish ale is not built on peat. But it emanates a modest but seriously disturbing odor that makes the beer challenging to consume. This odor recurred to a lesser extent on another Main Street beer and left me wondering if perhaps the glassware itself might have been its point source. Either way, an invasive sanitation crisis will easily corrupt a beer's overall enjoyment.

80 Shilling is more amply bittered than we might expect a Scottish ale to be. Though the readerboard lists it at 27.5 IBU, the malts are effectively buried beneath the weight of East Kent Goldings and the lush fruitful sweetness of a traditional Scottish ale never gains hold. The body is clear, polished mahogany with no head and a few wisps of errant lace.

Difficult to appreciate do to over bittering and intrusive sanitation issues.