Highland Gaelic Ale

Brewed by Highland Brewing Company
Style: Amber Ale
Asheville, North Carolina USA

Serve in English pint, Shaker

bottle at carolina ale house in fayetteville nc Pours a mostly clear amber body, only with a very slight haze to it. Aroma is sweet malt, hop and honey. Mouthfeel starts smooth and finishes a bit dry with flavors of sweet malt, and very slight pine hop

Off-white/cream-colored, nice, thick bubbly head atop a dark copper-colored body. The aroma is gently earthy, yeasty and sweet. The body reminds me a little of a lager (light and a little yeasty in a lager way), but saved by the use of caramelized malts. In the mouth it’s pretty full, earthy and very Scottish. This can be described as an English pub ale - earthy and easy on the palate (a little too lacking on body and a little too smooth), but better-hopped and with a nicer malted grain character than your standard pub fare. Its nice, earthy hop character helps save the beer. Flavor, although not my type, is still good for what it is. Very light on the palate and not that good in my opinion. It’s pretty lacking.

Tap flight. Reddish copper pour with a short lived beige head. Decent lacing. Faint caramel aroma. Taste is thin but has caramel roast and hop balance. Just ok.

Bottle. Rusty orange pour with a very small off white head. Aroma of caramel, baking spices and toasted malt. The caramel and malts are evident in the initial taste before giving way to a slight earthy, bitterness. Nicely balanced with a light to medium body. Soft carbonation with a thick texture. Very enjoyable from start to finish.

Had on tap. Arrived a clear medium ruby with a thin layer of foam. Smell was caramel malt with some hoppyness present. Also seemed to be a slight yeasty quality. Taste was quite malty up front with caramel being a predominate flavor. A moderate hoppy bitterness soon took over and lasted through the finish. A decent beer from highland but not really my favorite.

My Bottom Line :
Suave caramelized cereals develop pleasant toasted and fruity nuances before a balancing resinous, leafy hop bitterness seals this competent Amber Ale .

Further Personal Perceptions :
-.A ring of foam circles the deep russet.
-The aroma also has burnt toffee subtleties which are quite pleasant.
-Carbonation is soft and residual sugars plump, making for a wealthy mouthfeel, especially for the style.
-Hops contribute subtle citrusy fruitiness, but mostly shine in the finish.
-Even though I am not a fan of the style, I have to say the malt structure and flavor in this one are compelling.

Bottle.

Very Good!........................................

Had this on tap at Willards Tap House in largo fla. Sightly cloudy brown with a nice clean smell. Starts off on the buds mild but gets a little beefy as the session continues. A bit medicinal on the finish. Not too much co2 detectable in this brew.