"Must try" Scotch ales?

This has been stated before but I must reiterate.
#1 Wulver (best Scotch ale I've ever had, and Beeradvocate agrees)
#2 Tyranena Shaggin in the Wood (2nd best Scotch Ale)
#3 Sun King Wee Muckle (underrated but really the 3rd best)

I am not a fan of Backwoods Bastard. I think it is too bitter and not very complex compared to the others. I would also give an honorable mention to Great Divide Claymore. And I would be remiss not to mention Skullsplitter (the beer that first got me onto Scotch ales).

 

One of my favorite styles, but unfortunately quite misunderstood by most American brewers. Some (Great Divide, etc) associate scotch ales with scotch whisky and inject a peat/smoke flavor that doesn't belong, while other breweries (Alesmith, Oskar Blues) concoct a sickeningly sweet and cloying malt bomb that ignores the yeast character essential to the style. The best American brewed example I've had is Dirty Bastard, while my favorite old world scotch ale is Traquair House Ale. I don't count it, as it is not to style, but Backwoods Bastard is, as you mentioned, amazing. One of my all time favorite beers.

 

McEwan's for sure (which I am glad it was mentioned half way through) also the Voodoo's Tenacious Wee's

 

Skull Splitter

and

Backwoods Bastard

 

Although I agree that it is a fantastic beer. I do believe that it is just a "Scottish Ale" as opposed to a "Scotch Ale" or "Wee Heavy". It took me a while to figure out the difference between them.

 

Smuttynose Scotch Ale
Alesmith Wee Heavy

 

+1 on Belhaven.

 

Ditto that!

 

Alesmith Wee Heavy, and as mentioned the BA version is insanely good. Also, McEwan's Export and Cigar City's Big Sound might be to your liking.

 

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/the-return-of-mcewans-scotch-ale.40662/

 

peat dunwoody

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/21154/100242

 

Oskar Blues - Old Chub ( Fantastic beer and comes in a six pack )
Stone - Great Bowmans Beard ( only available on tap at liberty station. If you get a chance I recommend it )

 

Belhaven Wee Heavy, not the regular Scotch Ale was my introduction into craft . . . still an outstanding brew!

 

Triple Digit Aftermath

 

St Andrew's Belhaven

 

Younger's No. 1. The only authentic Scotch Ale out there.

 

I would argue that you cant go wrong with McEwans Scotch Ale ( i believe they have started importing it again) or Belhaven Wee Heavy.
A lot of good US breweries try the Wee Heavy but cannot avoid putting too much hops..its as if they cant help themselves

 

The appearance this year of Tempest Old Parochial Barrel Aged Imperial Scotch Ale re-set the standard of this style. Scottish brewed, extreme and, at least for the whale hunters out there, extremely difficult to track down.

 

I disagree about the smoke peat flavor.

 

Yeah they taste quite a bit different. I think a lot of brewers even confuse this. Scottish ales are a little lighter and have more of a dark fruit sweetness.