Bittings Great Scot!! Ale

Brewed by J.J. Bitting Brewing Co.
Style: Scottish Ale
Woodbridge, New Jersey USA

Serve in English pint, Thistle

This scot’s ale had a very mild aroma but its appearance was a dark amber with a very small white head. The taste was strong caramel with a bit of toasted nut. The palate was good but the taste was a little sweet for me. I was surprised to see the low alcohol percentage.

Great Scot! The beer’s gone a bit sour. I don’t think there’s supposed to be a citrus flavor here. Otherwise, mild and schwarzbier-ish. Scottish Ale meets Flemish Ale.

on tap-pours a retaining, creamy, tan head with black color. Aroma-not noticed. Taste is dark malt, sweet, scotch. Well done, not my taste.

UPDATED: FEB 15, 2006 On cask at J.J. Bittings. Tried a second time with a new batch. Thin but creamy head of fine bubbles. Light carbonation. Light malt aroma with a hint of roastyness. Also some chocolate malt and a bit of peat. Kind of weak aroma. Color is very nice dark mahagony red. Flavor is typical for a scottish ale. Roasted malts, peat and a touch of smoke. Pretty dry mouthfeel. Not as sweet as most scottish ales. Soft in the mouth. Lingering roasty, smoky aftertaste. Pretty good though.

ON TAP: Toasted malt nose, dark brown color. Warm round malt base with a tinge of toffee and butty. This is not very good, thin and weak.

Light black color. Small layer of a head. Clay taste, also malt, medium long lasting. Not much going on int he nose - kind of weird for a Scottish Ale.

Wow, an 80 Shilling! I don't know if I will ever know the difference between an 80 and a 90 Shilling beer. Inflation? Pours a dark brown color with a medium thin light beige head. Strong malt and caramel aroma. Medium-bodied and a little smokey, with a nice malt presence. There is also a tiny bit of hops lingering around. The finish didn't seem to keep up very well but overall I liked this one.