Scottish Beer and Ale

[mrpharr]

I posted a thread about Scotch and learned more that I ever imagined about the fantastic liquid. I'll have you know that I really enjoy a Glenfiddich 15 year. Smooth and not too peaty.

Anyway, what is a good Scottish beer or ale. I would like to hear other's favorites (even not from Scotland).

steve

[Dirk Skene]

Check out the brews from Bellhaven brewery

[Macman]

I like McLay's, Tennant's, Bellhaven, McEwen's and Deuchars in either 70 or 80 shilling. There are lots of others as well.

[Panache]

mrpharr,

I don't know if you were aware of our sister site "The Pub".

But it is an ideal place to ask questions of brew, malt, cocktails, and smokes.

It's worth checking out.

http://www.xmarksthepub.com/forum/

Or just hit the button for the Pub on the left side of your screen when you're at your Portal

Cheers

Panache

[Andrew Breecher]

Isle of Skye Wee Beast.
Bellhaven Wee Heavy.
Harvistoun's Old Engine Oil.
Orkney Skullsplitter.
Moylan's Kilt Lifter (a U.S. beer).

Andrew.

[Matthew J. Greene]

While I am not very knowledgable about Scotch, I do know a bit about beer. I started homebrewing about ten years ago. I guess you can say that I am now somewhat of a beer snob . I hardly ever buy anything from BMC (Bud/Miller/Coors).

Scottish ales are usually classified into two different groupings. These are termed Scottish Ales, and Scotch Ales. This info is from the numerous homebrew guides and beer style guidelines books that I have. I am not sure how these are classifed in Scotland. These two ales are very similar except in alcohol content. These ales are noted for being low in hop bitterness and very malty. Before hops were widely used, heather was used to take the edge from the malty sweetness. I think there is a brewery that does make "heather ale". I do not know the name or location of this brewery.

"Scottish Ales" are usually between 4 to 6% alcohol by volume. A good example is "Bel Haven Scottish Ale" made by Bel Haven Breweries (one of my favorites). There are many American ales brewed in this style. One that I thought was well made was called "Robert the Bruce". I apologize, I forget which brewery makes it.

"Scotch Ales" (aka Wee Heavy) are 7-9 % alcohol by volume. Some may go a bit higher. Most are 8 or 9%. Two of the best examples in my opinion are McEwan's Scotch Ale and Orkney Skullsplitter from Orkney Breweries (my fave). Scotch Ales are generally very malty and sweet without much hop bitterness. The difference in flavor between McEwans and Skullsplitter is pretty wide. Both good ales.

Another brewery of note is Broughton Ales LTD. They make a wide variety of ales. Traqauir House is another ale that is supposed to be one of the best examples. It is hard to find in my area and I have yet to try it.

There are many American breweries that make this style of ale. Some are very good. They even go so far as to treat the water to assimilate the hard water that some of the breweries in Scotland use.

I hope this info will help. Some of my examples may be limited. This is primarily due to availability. This is one ofthe reasons I started brewing at home. Brewing five gallon batches for $30 to $40 beats buying $10 sixpacks all the time . Five gallons = two cases plus or minus a few bottles.

[Matthew J. Greene]

Whew! Some of you guys are quick

[Andrew Green]

Skullsplitter! Probably one of my favourites... has a viking on the label too... how much more brutal do you want?! Seriously though... it's tasty stuff.
Belhaven Scottish Ale is good (more pub like I suppose), as well as the Wee Heavy variety. There was another one, called Fraeroch, or Fraoch... they made a pine ale, and a heather ale. Both were alright.
If you can get it, Silver City Brewery makes one they call "Fat Bastard" which is a Scottish style ale (comes from Silverdale, WA), nice and peaty, thick, and comes in around 9% alcohol.

[Eujeankilt]

Kilt Lifter by Pike Street Brewing out of Seattle is one of my faves, other than my own homebrewed Scotch/Scottish Ales.



Dale

[Kilted KT]

McEwans...without questions...