Best Scotch ale?

I have not made the trip out to their brewery, though I would like to sometime.

As for beer stores in Montreal, I have a love/hate relationship with the way alcohol is distributed here in Quebec:

For wine, spirits, and imported beer, the SAQ (Quebec liquor commission basically) has full control. They have a tendency to significantly mark up the price of everything, and in the case of beer, they severely restrict what is allowed into the province. The SAQ also has very little interest in moving beer; they are mainly about wine. This leads to a very small pool of imports and, while some of these are amazingly good (I can grab Rocheforts off the shelf no problem, for example), I simply cannot get fine American products. All purchases must also be made in their boutiques. Almost NO Quebec craft, with VERY few exceptions, is sold at the SAQ.

On the other hand, domestic and local craft beer (local only counts Quebec, unfortunately, not the rest of Canada) can be purchased at any gas station, grocery store, or convenience store (which is not the case for all of Canada). Unlike Ontario, we do not have a "beer store", and any place where beer is sold can choose to stock what they please. Certain establishments, which are independently owned, can choose to stock craft beer in varying quantities. For example, there is a Metro (grocery store chain) in Verdun which stocks many types of craft; there is also the famous "depanneur Peluso" which is actually a "Boni-Soir" (a convenience store chain). Tony Peluso just chooses to stock the back with bottles of just about every craft beer you can find in Quebec (sold, of course, at a premium price). So no, we don't really have many "craft beer stores" exactly (there are some who make it the center of their business model), but many establishments choose to make craft beer a big part of their business.

Now, back to talking about some bitchin' scotch ales!

 

I distinguish between scotchs and wee heavys.

I have to go with Three Floyd's Robert the Bruce as my favorite scotch with an honorable mention to Lake Louie Warped Speed.

Tough to beat Backwoods Bastard for a Wee Heavy, that beer is smooth as silk fresh, but I'm still pretty excited to be aging a few of these. Lake Louie Reserve Scotch was really good fresh. I plan on cracking an aged bottle (8-9 months) in the next three weeks. I have heard 1 good and 1 bad review about this beer aged.

 

Old Chub & Claymore

 

Lots of good ones on this thread! I'd have to add Duck Rabbit Wee Heavy to the list of ones that age well. I just drank a 4-5yr. old one last night that was simply amazing. Slàinte!

 

I'm with everyone on Dirty Bastard and Backwoods, BWB is probably one of my top favorite beers of all time.

But as far as the style goes, a guy at my local craft beer store was saying that Dirty Bastard is not a true
scotch ale. He called it an American Strong Ale. Does anyone else have any insight on that, as far as what
doesn't make Dirty Bastard a scotch ale or what makes a true scotch ale?

 

Ha! Have you tried Yeastie Boys Rex Attitude yet? It's brewed with 100 percent peated malt, and it's an experience.

 

No. I don't plan on it. My guess is that it would smell like an electrical fire from all of the phenolics.

 

That's pretty accurate. Smelled and tasted like burning plastic.

And yet somehow I enjoyed a full glass.

 

1. Favorite . Four Peaks Kiltlifter of Tempe, AZ (drink local)
2. Cellar. Cigar City Big Sound

 

Founder's Dirty Bastard
Dark Horse Scotty Karate
Moylan's Kilt Lifter

 

Alesmith Wee Heavy.

I also really enjoy Meantime Scotch Ale. A little lighter but very tasty.

Have not been able to find Backwoods or Big Sound for comparison.

 

I'm new to Scotch Ales, having only had Dirty Bastard and 2010 Backwoods Bastard (the latter on tap). Backwoods was the better of the two, though I would like to try a fresh bottle of Backwoods Bastard for comparison as well.

Moving forward, I just picked up bottles of Dark Horse Scotty Karate and AleSmith Wee Heavy. Looking forward to trying them both.

 

Backwoods Bastard for sure!!

 

If you're wondering what members of this site think, you might check this:

http://beeradvocate.com/lists/style/77

 

Should Try Wet Willy from NEBCO next time youre around.

 

Scotch Ales are one of my least favorite styles (so my experiences are limited)... With that said, Olde Hickory makes a limited release named "Seven Devils" that is Bourbon Barrel Aged... It's fantastic

 

Backwoods Bastard, Scotty Karate, and Old Chub (in that order).

 

Smuttynose Scotch ale........8.2% abv

Latest bottling in the Big Beer Series was 1/3 barrel aged and oh so smooth.

Cheers

 

Tranquir house ale or Jacobite

 

echo to CCB Big Sound & Founders Dirty Bastard. Be on the lookout for Monday Night Brewing - Drafty Kilt. ATL & surrounding areas have had it on draft the past year. They are now cranking out bottles; it's good:

http://mondaynightbrewing.com/brews/drafty-kilt-scotch-ale/