Caledonian Great Scot (Cask)

Formerly brewed at Caledonian (Heineken UK)
Style: Bitter
Edinburgh, Scotland

Serve in English pint

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Cask (handpump) at The Colonies, Westminster, London, January 2007. Dark, full copper colour. Thin white head. Mainly malty, as expected, with some caramel notes. The malt is pleasantly dry, which gives a firmer feel than the scarcity of hop presence would suggest. That’s not to say that hops are entirely absent. There’s a smidgen of tangy hop (I’m not sure I’d describe it as floral) but not in sufficient quantity to qualify to be described as assertive. Some developing berry fruit notes add to the interest. Not usually my preferred style of bitter but this one drinks quite nicely. Presumably has now replaced the stronger (4.7%) Burns Ale that has appeared in previous years.

As Organic Great Scot Pale Ale from Trader Joes, 5%. Aroma is malt, weak, caramel. Very weak hop flavor, so "pale ale" was slightly lost on me. Overall it was not a bad beer, but nothing particularity special.

A deep ruby red colour, with a smopeky maly nose, a typical not inspired fruity malt.

Cask at Wellington Arms, Bedford. Amber with a small white head. Sweet malt aroma. Taste is fruity with some pear, sweet malts developing in the background. Not very bitter. Thin bodied but not unappealing.

Cask handpull at Pembury Tavern, Hackney. Mid brown beer, bubbly beige head. Toffeeish aroma. Some hop on finish. Pretty standard bitter with toffeeish edge. Good condition, just not my kind of beer. Disappointing malty finish.

One iv never heard of so must be hew. Aroma is roasted with cali yeast coming through. Taste is similar less roasted though with quite a bit of floural hops, though not that bitter or dry.

[Cask from The Three Judges] Ruby/broon colour, moderate head. Buttery toffeeish nose, some otasty notes, lacking aroma hop character. Some fruit on palate, toasty malt, dry finish.

Cask, The Swan and Rushes, Leicester. Deep amber brown with a beige head. Aromas are weetabix malts with Autumn fruit. Quite light. Flavours are weetabix and chocolate malts with vinous fruits and pear. Some plain chocolate bitterness with hints of liquroice. Pretty decent.