Had this beer on 6/2/1999. This is, from what I’ve read in Bert Grants book, the flagship of Yakima Brewing and Berts favorite beer that he brews. Color is a bright golden brown with good carbonation and a light head. Aroma is a sweet malt scent back buy a good hop fragrance. Taste is very hoppy and nicely bitter. It starts with a nice medium body and a bubbly feel. As it goes down crisp with a sweet malt flavor coming out. The finish is one of the most wonderful things I’ve had in awhile, stating with a perfectly balanced hop and malt flavor that is accompanied by a nice but strong bitterness. Overall this is the best Scottish Ale and one of the best beers I’ve ever had, its just excellent.

Grant’s Scottish Ale pours to a deep amber color with a creamy off white head, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is wonderful with lots of good sweet caramel malt aromas, and fresh, citric hop aromatics. The palate is firm with more good sweet and caramel malt flavors paired with some nice touches of estery fruit. The body is very soft and comforting on the tongue. Grant’s Scottish finishes with more caramel malt flavors up front, then ends with a good bit of citric hop character that slightly lingers. This is a well done beer with lots of good malt and good hop flavors and aromas. Stylistically, it isn’t the most accurate version of Scottish Ale, but the beauty of this beer is Bert Grant never intended it to be. There is always room for a brewer to be creative, styles to Bert were but mere guidelines, they were not etched in stone. If there is one thing Bert Grant taught the beer world, he taught us that. The memory of Bert Grant will live through his beers, full of character, and just a little out of the ordinary. This is a great beer, and one that matches well with hearty dishes, and desert. I would pair this beer with a hearty beef stew, or perhaps chocolate layer cake and vanilla ice cream.

If you can’t get to Scotland for a Wee Heavy or 80 schilliing pick up this Scottish style ale. It pours with body that is evident, developing a creamy head. One can savour the aroma of caramel and anticipate the mouth-filling malt flavour.Sweet! Then, to finish not a harsh bite, but a smooth, citrus wash of hops to cleanse the palate. Oh for a platter of wild salmon or a roast of venison to grace the table as you quaff this elixir, surveying the pristine beauty of your private loch from the great hall of your highland castle!

It’s not a Scottish Ale, but it’s still pretty good stuff.