Broadway Pub Elixir de Belphegor Scotch Ale

Brewed by Broadway Pub
Style: Scotch Ale
Shawinigan, Canada

Serve in Thistle

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on tap at brewpub. cloudy pale brown, light beige head, no retention/lacing. nose: tons of caramel malts, butter, maple syrup and american hops. taste is cloying maple syrup, caramel malts, light to medium grassy hopping. medium body, sticky, average carbonation.

A lasting 2cm off-white head covers this 2nd membre of the Belphégor family which I found lacked the charm of its sibling. The barrel oakiness comes out strongly and reminds of corn. The base beer does not have the bulk of the barley wine which results in a heavily thinned out final product whereas you can feel that the original was a very fruity and highly caramelized ale. As it is, it kept the sweetness of the basic scotch ale and added it a barrel vanilla touch while no earthiness is or ever was present and the mildest strawberry acidity can’t quite counterbalance the sweetness, just like the barrel which does not impart so much tannins. I’m complaining, but this does not make it a bad beer at all:)

A nice red copper ale with a thin white head. In aroma, a nice woody aroma, with vanilla, porto. In mouth, vinous scotch ale with licorice, alcohol warmth, woody astringent notes, mysterious and enticing. An excellent and smooth cask aged wonder. On tap at brewery, August 3, 2008.

En fût. Verre de 6 oz dégusté directement à la brasserie. Arôme: Odeur de caramel légèrement brûlé avec une pointe de vanille. Apparence: La couleur ets ambrée foncée. Présence d’un mince col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de caramel légèrement fruité. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement onctueuse. Faible effervescence en bouche. Arrière goût légèrement fruité. (Rating #2011)

My Bottom Line:
Bourbon-like vanilla melodies charm the slick caramel malts of this meditative Scotch Ale, forming entertaining raisin and cranberry ideas.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A ring of foam circles the clear dark orange.
-The very low carbonation insists on making this a sipping experience.
-Alcohol only nudges the flavor profile, which is appreciated.
-Some peppery spiciness seems to come from the alcohol and barrel.
-The nose is quite classy, but the residual sugars could be emboldened to match what the nose had suggested.
-The body is never heavy, which makes for a fine sipper, but at the same time, as mentioned earlier, a few more love handles would surely make this as good (to my taste buds) as their barley wine was. -The barrel is very well integrated and in no way overshadows what the malts are trying to achieve.

On tap at the brewpub.

Very pleasant aroma of caramel, wood and mild peat. Pours a cloudy brown color with a thin tan head. Good flavor of caramel, mild peat and wood. The body is medium with a liquorous texture and gentle carbonation. A solid effort.