Smuttynose Scotch Style Ale

Bottle Conditioned in 2007

3/14/2009: I really like smoked beers, but typically I don’t like peat smoked malt as an addition in a Scotch Ale. It just isn’t traditional and typically throughs the beer too far off-balanced. However, Smuttynose did a good job with their Scotch Ale. Even though they committed a faux pas by adding pear smoked malt, it is restrained and actually works well with the rich, caramel, toffee, and fruity (cherry-almond) maltiness of this particular beer. This beer really showcases the characteristics and depth of the malt and has a really nice, lightly fruity and slightly floral hoppiness. It leans toward the sweeter side, but is kept balanced by the dry smoky/char, roasty finish, and earthy bitter aspects of the flavor. The maltiness is rich, but not overwhelming as this smooth Scotch Ale glides effortlessly down while providing just the right level of warming alcohol tingle.

1 pint 6 fl oz bottle sent to me from buckybeer. Thank you Mark. I really appreciate it! Rating #240 for this beer.

Bottle shared. Poured dark amber brown with light head. Aroma of caramel, spice, wood, sweetness. Taste is also very heavy on malt sweetness, with spice, and wood notes as well. Finish is smooth and a little fruity. Body is full and carbonation is light. Overall, an interesting and enjoyable. brew.

2008 bottle. Pours a dark cherry with a beige head that is thick and resilient. Caramel, burnt wood, malt sweetness in the aroma. Flavor of peat, sweet malt, toffee, hints of some nutmeg. Good overall.

650 ml. Bottle conditioned in 2008. Clear dark red-brown with a small head that tries to last. Aroma is earthy cinnamon-nutmeg mix, bitter baker’s chocolate, and smoky compost. Flavor is earthy leaf pile, cola, nutmeg and toffee. Medium-heavy body is watery, a little too fizzy, and smoky-spicy dry. Some soapy lacing is left on the pint glass.

Glad i got this one! Pours a dark cloudy reddish brown colour with a big off white head. The aroma of this beer is woodsy, caramel, smokiness all around. Taste is creamy, rich and full of dark fruit. Man this is one full bodied brew!

Taste 2/9 Bottle. Looks: Cola body with a thick foam of tan. Aroma: Quite sweet malt aroma with some acids of burnt wood. Taste: Multi-toast/roast malt with a sweetness that becomes acidic and a little wooden. Smoke and cola with sweet stickiness in the end. Fits the Scotch Ale profile with plenty of peat but with maybe too much sweetness.

22oz bottle shared by Crosling. Pours dark amber with a small tan head. Aromas of smoke, burnt toast and some fruitiness. Flavors are the same smoke, fruit, slight bitter finish. Palate is medium bodied with some decent carbonation.

Bottle. Poured a deep caramel-brown color with a moderate off-white head that faded to a layer and left some decent, soft lacing. Relatively bland aroma with only light caramel, brown sugar,. and some light smoke. Smooth, lightly sweet entry with some caramel, brown sugar, and a hint of smoky peat that finishes with some light undertones of fruit. Low carbonation, smooth on the palate but a bit thin. Average beer, but a let down compared to what Smuttynose is capable of.