Columbus Brewing 90 Shilling Ale

Brewed by Columbus Brewing Company
Style: Scottish Ale
Columbus, Ohio USA

Bottle: This is actually a pretty tasty beer. Pours a deep amber, aroma is toasted nuts and caramel malts. Flavor is crisp and sweet, a little hollow, traces of popcorn, caramel malts, and dark sugars. Very good.

Poured a clear mahogany with a massive fizzy off-white head. Aroma of some light acidity, some smoke, and a bit of dark fruit. Flavor follows with notes of grape and prune, smoky bacon, a touch of hoppiness, and more light acidity. I’m guessing this had a mild infection in it, but even so it remained a reasonably drinkable scottish ale. I can imagine that it was that much better when completely fresh. Would revisit with a better bottle.

Medium tan in color, with an average head. Shows good lacing down the glass. Smells a bit sweet. But, the taste is rich, with molasses, coffee and a bit of burnt malt. Thanks for the trade JB.

Dark, reddish, minimal head. Woodsy, earthy, peanut-buttery aroma. Nice creamy rich caramel palate. Very nice and enjoyable.

12oz bottle, no date from BuckeyeSammy--thanks Adam! Clear reddish copper with some 1/2 finger beige head, fading to a ring and tattered film. Nosing this immediately after the pour I got some surprising espresso notes. Caramel, hazelnuts are up front, and some toasted grain with a light dry dog food element are in the background. Flavor is much the same, though the grain and dog food are more dominating, and the espresso only comes through toward the finish. Not as sweet as the aroma, either--though it didn’t smell that sweet to begin with. Slightly ashy finish with bitterness peaking around a 2. Low carbonation with a light body. Not too bad of a Scottish, though lacking the peated malt and smoke that makes one great.

A dark amber to brown appearance with a soapy white head. The aroma is a little odd with some nutmeg and caramel. The flavor is rather nutty with some caramel showing through. The palate is a bit thin. Overall it was ok.

Date: 05/10/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party

Appearance: clear amber, wispy beige head,
Aroma: sweet dark caramel malt aroma with light earthyness,
Flavor: sweet caramel malt flavor, touch of earthy character, light smokyness,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

In short: A superior (way superior) Scottish Ale. Superb session beer.
How: Tap at Surly Girl Salon (a few miles north of the Columbus Brewing brewpub)
The look: Clear amber body with a small beige head
In long: Crisp toffee, creamy caramel and dried fruits are the upfront flavours. Light woody touch, tree bark and some dry raisins. Something about the hopping makes this beer a stand-out. It’s got this fluffy dry tree leaves finish that works very well with the rest of the beer. It was about my 12th pint of the day and I still went through it like if it was my first one. Truly an excellent session beer. Certainly one of the best Scottish Ale I’ve ever had. So good in fact that even a Scottish would be happy to pay for one… almost.