Caledonian Fringe Benefit

Brewed by Caledonian (Heineken UK)
Style: Bitter
Edinburgh, Scotland

Serve in English pint

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[cask at Teviot Union Building, Edinburgh] The 2009 Edinburgh Festival beer, brewed by the Caley for the month of August while the festivities are ongoing. Dark, malty Scottish ale obviously brewed to be like an old-time heavy. Only slightly hoppy on the nose, it’s a lovely burnt sugar colour and goes down really easily. Dark and with a bit of molasses sweetness, I doubt everybody will like it, but I did. I’m guessing because there wasn’t much trademark diacetyl in evidence from the pint I had [11082009]

Cask (handpump) at the Museum Tavern, Bloomsbury, August 2009. Could someone please have a word with the brewers at Caledonian and tell them that making beers laden with diacetyl is not a good thing. And it is not just the odd beer, it is pretty much every Caledonian beers I’ve tried over last couple of years. The aroma reeks of the stuff. Creamy caramel and butterscotch toffee dominate the palate. Ugh. Not my thing at all. Looked good enough though.

Cask at Halfway House (I think so), Edinburgh. Amber coloured, small off-white head, weak nose with touch of butter. Biscuity malty, caramel and some fruits but overall quite weak and below average bitter.

Cask in the market porter. Alround rating: Butterscotch, caramel, diactyl, no hops no balance. Terrible. I had a tiny taste again at peterborough and its was utterly terrible. Lucky to get a 2.

Cask @ 3 Judges. Clear ruby red - brownish colour, tan head. Aroma is sweet, of biscuit and caramel cookie. Flavour has caramel, biscuits, sweet malts, and some fruits. Sweet and slightly bitter finish.