Callys Smokin Scottish Ale

Brewed by Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co. (formerly Calhoun’s)
Style: Scottish Ale
Harrisonburg, Virginia USA

Moderate-heavy malt, sweet-moderate yeast, smokey-toffeeish taste, large frothy-light brown head which is mostly lasting, murky clouded body, dark brown ambered color, moderately sweet taste with bitter follow, leaves a mouth-watering sensation. Comes in "growler" bottle that can be refilled after initial purchase, great deal, especially during happy hour

This is a rich, delicious, malty, warming brew that is brewed with a portion of peat smoked malt adding a whiskey malt character to this beer. Smokin Scottish Ale pour to a deep caramel color with a thick and creamy tan head, and a soft carbonation. The nose is very fragrant with aromas of sweet and caramel malts, paired with a subtle hints of peat smoke. The palate is firm with lots of sweet and caramel malt flavors, that are slick on the tongue. There is also a nice underpinning of burnt peat smoke flavor, that gives this beer another dimension. Smokin Scottish Ale finishes with more caramel and sweet malty flavors up front, and a slightly warming burn. This was a delicious and hearty brew perfect for the cooler Fall and Winter months. Great sweet and smoky malt character define this beer, and it is an excellent example of American styled Scottish Ale. If you ever find yourself in the Shenandoah Valley, stop by Calhoun’s Restaurant and Brewery in Harrisonburg for a nice lunch or dinner, and some truly outstanding beers. This beer went fantastic with a lunch of a whiskey chicken sandwich, which was a chicken seared in bourbon and served with cheddar cheese and smoky bacon.

Excellent toffee, caramel notes. Firm malt backbone, delicate hops. The smoke is well done--not too much, but present in the front and in the afternose. A GABF gold medalist in 2004.

On tap at brewery. Light copper brown with a fizzy white head. Caramel and smoke aroma. Caramel, grain, some whiskey like character, and smoke with a sticky dry finish.

Not smoky at all, but still a darn respectable Scottish ale. Palate’s a bit thin, but not depressingly so, as in this brew’s case it becomes a bit more quaffable than normal for the style. Very woody, peaty flavor. Finish is reminiscent of oak wood chips, and a bit nutty.

Thanks to Rob for bringing this from the brewery. Clear dark amber body with a small creamy tan head. Dark malty aroma with some molassas. Sweet molassas and caramel flavor.

Growler. Deep reddish brown color with decent off-white head. Subtle nose of toasty malt, caramel sweetness, and some dark fruit sweetness. Flavor is mostly toasty, rich malt, but very nicely balanced with bitter hops. Medium body. Mostly a dry beer, though as it warms a candylike sweetness emerges and leaves a sticky-sweet aftertaste that is not necessarily in line with the initial character of the beer. Though not my favorite offering from Calhoun’s, this tasting was quite enjoyable. This beer does seem to vary a good bit, which I find odd given that it’s their big medal winner; though perhaps I should revel in the fact that small-batch brewing is by nature constantly evolving.

Pours amber. Aroma of slightly smokey malt and a bit of caramel sweetness. Flavor is much the same. The flavor is lighter then expected but good.