Smuttynose Scotch Style Ale

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Scotch Ale
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

Clear amber with thin white head. Aroma is minimal, but malty and caramelly. Taste is very smoky with a slightly bitter edge. Not bad, but it could use a bit "more" of everything except the smoke.$5/22oz

Lightly hazed dark orange/umber color with a small diminished off-white head. Smoke, peat and caramel aromas. Nothing to strong, just pleasant. Malt flavors with some brown sugar. Fairly sweet throughout. Light acidity and some biting smoke and roasted malt flavors. A lightly toasted bread linger. A touch light in feel for me at times, but still a lot of good stuff going on.

Pours dark, hazy copper with a small white head. Sweet caramel/toffee aroma with a surprising amount of smokiness. All the malty sweetness I expected is there in the flavor, but alongside of it is a very odd plastic/metallic taste which lingers for what seems like hours after a sip. It might be smoke, but it comes across as nasty.

bottle poured mahogany brown with a thin white lace aromas of smoke , peat ,heather and malt . Mediun body to it. A very smokey flavor. Then some sweet malt ,somewhat earthy finish. Not a bad Ale

Deep mahogany pour, reasonably clear, with a thin but resilient skin of beige. Thick and peat-heavy aroma with a raisin and gingerbread disposition. Quiet, pleasant, and softly sweet, imbuing a tender campfire impression. Smoky flavor with rich heather honey, rye whiskey, and a thorough density of chocolate and caramel malt; well-constructed and rustic. Medium bodied and proportionately rich. Black cherries and licorice rub gently before a kind and smooth finish; this adopts a floral dryness on the ending smack that suggests lavender and thyme. Lingers with a pulse that straddles the medicinal edge, though not in an alcoholic sense. Lovely.

Date: 07/10/2004
Mode: Bottle
Source: Vintage Cellar, VA

Appearance: dark brown with ruby highlights, whispy tan head,
Aroma: rich sweet malt aroma,
Flavor: rich dark malt flavor, good carmel sweetness, a nice touch of earthy peat mixed in with a short bitter finish, complex mix of flavors,
Overall: perfect balance of rich dark malt, carmel sweetness, and earthy character for a true scotch ale
-------- /> Date: 07/14/2007
Mode: bottle
Source: tasting

Aroma: lots of earthy smoke and peat in the aroma,
Flavor: rich sweet dark caramel flavor has blended well with the earthy character

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ***+/4

Huge thanks to kp for making the long drive down to Orlando and bringing this delicious brew. Pours copper mixed with brown hues and light tan head. Big sweet aroma with caramelized malts, peatiness, brown sugar, caramel candy and hints of alcohol. The flavor is slightly less aggressive as the aroma with caramel, malt sweetness and bits of peat here and there. Into the finish the caramelness turns to simply sweet nectar creating a build up of sweetness with each sip.

Bottle courtesy kp. Dark ruby-brown color with a thin white head. Mild peat character, some spice/pepper. Slightly sweet caramel and rich malts on the taste with a sweet finish. A nice scotch, good malt complexity, but more peat would be nice.