Sprecher Pipers Scotch Ale

This is true to style with the peat smoke malt that is off-putting and medicinal to many (think Lagavulin). I like it. The beer is not much to look at, however. Hazy and brown. Round as a billiard ball...well maybe a ping pong ball, because it lacks a lot - just doesn’t have enough umph for a quality Scotch.

Slightly sweet with hints of smoked malt. Nice round mouthfeel, decent aroma. Definetely reminds me a bit of scotch, which is always a good thing. Pretty solid overall. Sprecher always has decent beers, this one included.

Dark reddish color. Smell of malt, leather, smoke, hints of hops and caramel. Taste of Leather chaps, smoke, licorice, malt, hops come in more and a sweet fishy bitterness at the end.

Dark ruby red color with a minimal head. Strong caramel sweet malt aroma. Alcohol, crystal malt s. Sweet after-taste. Fairly standard Scotch ale.

Bottle shared by sliffy...thanks...I think. ;) Pours a deep amber with a white head....seems we’re off to an ok start. The aroma was pretty ghastly: some really sweet malt overpowered by the odor of orange marshmallow circus peanuts and subtle hints of leather furniture. Medicinal flavor...the taste is how some polishes smell...cough syrup type elements and more circus peanuts with some slight elements of malt and smoke. It seems a lot of people getting a lot of smoke out of this, all I got was weird off flavors. Over carbonated body with a very medicinal finish. I would’ve guessed infection for some of these flaws until I was told the Barley Wine drank in a similar way.

16oz bottle.
Pours a clear dark rich chestnut brown with foamy off-white head that gradually recedes to a ring that leaves small bits of lace. Aroma is a luscious rich caramel malt with a touch of molasses. Flavor is dominated, too much so, by peaty smoke flavor. This is practically a rauchbier. (I suppose technically it is.) Nearly lost in the liquid smoke is the otherwise wonderful, warming creamy caramel malt, touch of maple, and tingly alchol that shows its 8%+ without becoming intrusive. Palate is oily and a little flat. I think I’m just too sensitive to smoke flavors because I’ve had rauchbiers that tasted like nothing but burning wood to me while most others note "a hint of smoke." I just can’t get over the overwhelming peat smoke flavor in this beer. It overshadows what otherwise seems like a very nice Scotch ale.

Bottle: Dark amber with a white head. Aroma, caramel, some smoke, and leather. Flavor, brown sugar, too much carbonation, some alcohol. Just didn’t work for me, it tasted off.

16oz bottle. Aroma: Strong grainy maltiness. Equally strong caramel aroma. Slight dark fruit. Earthiness is just that...earthy. Smells like rich soil. Appearance: Dark reddish brown in color. Light khaki head was full and frothy but didn’t last long. Fair lacing. Flavor: Rich and sweet maltiness with strong caramel overtones. Toasted nuts and a nice smokiness. Some light raisiny notes, as well. Palate: Medium-full bodied. Medium carbonation seemed a little high and prickly. Nice alcohol warming in back of mouth. Overall: A nice representation of the style, and tasty to boot. A little fuller mouthfeel and a little less carbonation would make it even better.