Barley Island 80 Schilling Export Ale (2008 Replic Ale)

Brewed by Barley Island Brewing
Style: Scottish Ale
Noblesville, Indiana USA

Serve in English pint, Thistle

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Tap at BI, really love the idea, but the beer, eh, not so much. Oak and vanilla nose, light alcohol and, unfortunately, green apple. Leggy beige head, murky brown body. Watery, with light bourbon and pale/amber, resolves to a bland bitterish/pale ale taste, forgettable and really without the best elements of the style, which no amount of aging in a Jack Daniels whiskey barrel will change. In defense of the brewer, this may be an older sample; at the same time, if it’s being served on location, then there are quality control problems to be addressed (and possibly tap lines to be cleaned).

Notes from Indy Winterfest Pours light hazy straw-brown. Aroma has sweetness and corn notes. The flavor is butterscotchy, vanilla, and rather sweet. Palate is normal. Overall an ok beer, not one I would seek out.

I am not a fan of Scotch Ales, but this was a nice one. Aroma is full of nuttiness and Jack Daniels, with a touch of smoke and toffee. Flavor is smooth, notes of vanilla, wood, toffee, roasted malt, with a hint of yeast. Lots of Jack Daniels flavor, but very little of the alcohol or booze, which was nice. Whiskey worked hand in hand with the wood to create a nice complexity. The carmel from the barrels balanced everything out nicely, and added a nice smokiness to the finish. Quite nice.

Tap at BI - Aroma is smokey toasted malts, caramel, toffee, peat and campfire. Pours dark brown with a small lasting head and good lacing. Flavor matches aroma. Palate is dry and ashy. I like the full bodied smokiness of this brew. A lot better than their regular Scotch Ale (hint hint).