All About Beer Magazine - Volume 34, Issue 3
June 26, 2013 By

94 Samuel Adams Wee Heavy, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 10% ABV (3/13)

Dark brown black color. Rich aromas of exotic spiced chocolate, nuts and artfully smoked peat with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a long, decadent chocolate liqueur, pepper jelly on rye date bread and grassy hop flourish. A monstrously delicious, lightly smoked Scottish ale that will be sensational with smoky barbecue.

93 Old Chub Scotch Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery (CO). 8% ABV (3/13)

Dark mahogany brown color. Dense aromas of chocolate, smoked nuts, apricot jam and heather peat moss with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a dried pineapple compote, orange spice cake, nut butter and grilled romaine nuanced finish. Delicious and well-composed flavors.

92 Meantime Scotch Ale, Meantime Brewing Co. (England). 8% ABV (3/11)

Deep reddish mahogany color. Rich chocolate-covered fig, raisin bran, grilled root vegetable and maple bacon aromas and flavors with a round, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a peppercorn, roasted pecan, white cigar ash and leafy greens finish. Rich, flavorful and balanced.

91 Iron Thistle Scottish-Style Ale, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 8.5% ABV (3/12)

Aromas of chocolate toffee, baklava and smoked nuts with a rich, chewy, dryish medium-full body and a long, coffee liqueur, dark bread and peppery, spicy hop finish. A great, low-smoke, hoppy take on the style.

91 Red MacGregor Ale, Orkney Brewery (Scotland). 4.7% ABV (7/12)

Deep reddish copper color. Aromas of lemongrass, dried flowers and herb bread with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a frothy pine and citrusy hops-driven finish with hints of melon, cocoa nuts and turned earth. Lively and stimulating in a India brown style.

91 Crabbit Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, Peter B’s Brewpub (CA). 6.85% ABV (3/13) %{Brewpub}

Dark mahogany color with tan head. Aromas of scrambled eggs, nut toast and sweet lettuce with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body with fruit cake, salty-roasted nuts, pepper and mossy earthy. Fun, flavorful and balanced. A great choice for the table.

91 Traquair House Ale, Traquair House Brewery (Scotland). 7.2% ABV (3/13)

Dark brown color. Aromas of chocolate nuts, molasses and scone with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium body and a grainy, dried fruit compote, peppercorn, dried banana and grass-accented finish. A beautifully styled and balanced.

91 Twisted Kilt Ale, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (OH). 5.3% ABV (3/13)

Aromas of chocolate malt-o-meal, brown butter on dark toast and grain with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a cola, cocoa, nutty grain and grassy hop-driven finish. Very nicely balanced and tasty.

90 McRogue Scotch Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 7% ABV (3/11)

Hazy reddish deep copper brown color. Honeyed cherry, dark toasted safflower bread and apricot soufflé aromas with a round, silky fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a mellow milk chocolate nut bar, peppercorn and watercress-like hop finish. Not really smoky or peaty, just very tasty.

90 Black Douglas Ale, Broughton Ales (United Kingdom). 5.2% ABV (7/12)

Ruddy copper brown color. Aromas of dark chocolate mousse, roasted nuts and root vegetables, dried fruits, pomegranate molasses and tamari with a dry medium body and a baker chocolate, shittake, turnip and watercress-accented finish. A complex medley of roasted and earthy umami flavors that will work well at the table.

89 Strang Wullie Scotch Ale, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. (MI). 8.3% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}

Deep russet brown color. Aromas and flavors of chocolate, roasted nuts and grilled romaine with a supple, round fruity medium-full body and a white tobacco ash, mocha and okra-accented finish.

88 Kilt Lifter Scotch-Style Ale, Moylan’s Brewing Co. (CA). 8% ABV (3/12)

Deep reddish copper color. Bright aromas of chocolate peanut butter candy, edamame and grilled toast with a rich, supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a long, chocolate, grilled romaine, honey and mossy earth finish.

88 Old Jock Ale, Broughton Ales (United Kingdom). 6.7% ABV (7/12)

Rich copper mahogany color. Aromas of chocolate yogurt and dark-roasted cashew brittle with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body a honey-roasted grain, dried fruit, radish and mineral-accented finish.

88 Loch Ness Scotch Ale, Blue Heron BrewPub (WI). 8% ABV (2/13) %{Brewpub}

Russet brown color. Aromas of chocolate-covered nuts, creamy cupcake and dried fruits with a satiny fruity medium-to-full body and sweet, plush honeyed fruitcake, mocha, nut and green pear-accented finish. No discernible smoky character, but very tasty and sure to please.

86 120 Shilling Scotch Ale, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works (IL). 10% ABV (5/11) %{Brewpub}

Aromas of dark-roasted nuts, grilled lemons and peaches and wet hay, with a racy, tingling dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a warming molasses, nut, moss and lemon pepper finish.

86 Dark Island Ale, Orkney Brewery (Scotland). 4.6% ABV (7/12)

Dark brown black color. Rich aromas of chocolate nuts and yogurt, edamame, dried fruit chutney with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a dark-roasted nut, lightly smoky peat and arugula-like hops.

86 Scottish Heavy Eighty Schilling Beer, Williams Bros. Brewing Co. (Scotland). 4.2% ABV (7/12)

Charred nuts, coffee beans and roasted root vegetable medley aromas and flavors with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a smooth, balanced, chocolate and grassy hop-accented finish. Direct and stylish.

85 Scotty’s Full Power Scotch Ale, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 8.13% ABV (5/11) %{Brewpub}

Rich copper color. Lovely aromas of melted toffee, toasted dark rye, roasted soy, potter’s clay and lemon pudding with a supple, silky medium-to-full body and a banana cake, brown sugar and honey-roasted pistachio finish. Not very peaty at all, but a cool range of food friendly flavors.

84 Bagpiper’s Scotch Ale, Fegley’s Brew Works (PA). 8.5% ABV (3/11)

Deep brown color. Buckwheat pancake, maple butter, chocolate nut, baked apple and faint smoked jerky aromas with a round, lightly chewy dryish medium-full body and a long warming, lemon, grilled parsnip and grassy hop finish.

81 Black Watch Ale, Main Street Grille and Brewing Co. (OH). 8.4% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}

Murky orange amber color. Interesting aromas of coriander, eucalyptus honey, dark toasted sunflower bread and floral nettles with a soft, dryish medium body and peach-apple cider vinegar, peppery arugula, carrot and radish notes. Different.