95 Traquair House Ale, Traquair House Brewery (Scotland). 7.2% ABV (3/08)
Dark brown color with a loose fitting, bubbly head. Bittersweet chocolate, chicory coffee and buttery caramel baked pear aromas. A rich, velvety entry leads to a fruity full body of chocolate-covered nuts and raisins, pear tart and dark toast flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy citrus marmalade and nut fade. A delicious beer that defines the style with its subtleness and grace.
94 Old Chub Scottish Style Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8% ABV (3/08)
Dark brown color. Bold aromas of chocolate-covered espresso beans and dried meat. A supple entry leads to dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of with accents of sweet spice and smoke roasted nuts. Finishes with long , zesty toffee and dried ruby grapefruit fade with a touch of earthy hops. A tasty balance of smokiness and sweet malt.
92 Samuel Adams Scotch Ale, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (2/07)
Burnishes copper color. Creamy dark chocolate, smoked nuts and caramel aromas. A frothy entry leads to a dryish full-body of smoky embers, moss, toffee and nuts. Finishes with a long citrus peel and earthy peat fade. The earthiness is well integrated and makes this a very rich and intriguing beer.
92 Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 8% ABV (3/09)
Deep amber color with a taupe head. Aromas of cocoa, dark raisin toast, roasted nuts have an earthy edge and follow through on a crisp round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with toffee, green apple and peppery spice notes. Finishes with a zesty, black licorice an earthy hop fade. A rich and stylish Scottish ale that flavors the cocoa over peat.
89 Ebenezer Ale, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 6.1% ABV (3/08)
Dark copper brown color. Brown sugar sprinkled raisin and woody roasted nut aromas with an interesting accent of dried seaweed. A rich, frothy entry leads to a dryish medium-to-full body of toffee, cocoa-dusted clementines and honeyed oolong-like flavors. Finishes with a sweet praline and lightly smoky sashimi like fade. Very interesting and subtle done smoky, botanical notes and a rock solid malt foundation.
88 Scottish Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 6% ABV (2/07)
Deep reddish brown color with a lacy taupe head. Sweet dried apple and pear aromas with a layer of buttery caramel and mocha. A round entry leads to a tangy medium body of dried fruits, roasted nuts and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes with a mouthwatering fade of citrus marmalade and cocoa with slightly smoky hops. Nicely framed and styled.
87 Strang Wullie Scotch Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 8.9% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep mahogany color with a manila gray head. Aromas of roasted nuts, dried meat, burnt sugar and toast follow through on a thick, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with melted toffee and dark fruit cake notes. Finishes with a smooth, nutty, mocha-accented fade.
87 Curly Scottish Ale, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 7.18% ABV (2/07)
Hazy copper color. Smoky peat and charred grain aromas. A round entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body of smoky peat moss, sweet caramelized nuts, buttered rye toast, orange marmalade and roasted grains. Finishes with a long, sweet toffee and vibrant earthy hop fade. Interesting balance of sweet, sour and smoky elements.
82 Caber Tossing Scottish Ale, Fox River Brewing (WI). 6% ABV (3/08)
Dark copper brown color. Tangy aromas of sour apples, potting soil and chocolate-covered nuts. A round, frothy entry leads to a tangy medium-full body of cocoa, sour apple skin, dried citrus and delicate tarragon flavors. Finishes with a crisp, earthy nut and citrus fade. Pleasant.