Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale

Brewed by Great Divide Brewing Company
Style: Scotch Ale
Denver, Colorado USA

Bottle from Craft Ale House. Pours very deep brownish black with deep ruby edges through direct light. The head is 2-fingers of fluffy off-tan, with clingy and copious lacing. The nose is nice, a mix of roasty, toasty, smoky, peaty scotch malt, cacao, figs, and hops. Tastes rich, creamy, with hefty scotch malt, rauchy and earthy notes, cacao, hazelnuts, and a dry yet complex finish that throws a solid hop dose at you as well. This one is oputstanding, and another fine scotch (not scottish) ale. Bravo! If this one makes it big, I demand to be known as the discoverer of it!

Pours near black, or at least extremely dark ruby. Contrasting off white head is classy. Nose is delightful with peatsmoke, a suggestion of bacon, and smoked malts. Palate offers a masculine roasty malt flavor with some of the peat from the nose mixing in, and a robust toffee/caramel middle that leads to a toffee-like finish. Medium bodied and dangerously drinkable for the alcohol. Exceptional beer.

Pours a three finger cream head that fades slowly, leaving some lace. Black color, no highlights. Light-medium carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Malty nose. Flavor is malty caramel and dark fruit. Nice scotch ale. Brewed Mar 3, 2009. $1.83 for a 12oz bottle from Manchester Wine and Liquors Manchester, CT

Bottle... This beer rocks!... Clear, very dark crimson ale with a small, creamy, khaki head. Fantastic retention. The aroma is all about hickory smoke and mild caramel with just a hint of chocolate. Full-bodied with a milky mouthfeel and kicked-back carbonation. The flavor leans on the sweet side of balance and offers lots of smoke layered upon mild caramel, molasses and tawny port. Finishes sweet and a touch smoky, but balances out at the wee end. World class beer!

underrated. a solid scotch ale. dark and thick, but easy drinking. malty front but nice dry finish with neutral hoppiness.

What follows is a conglomeration of three separate tastings: a 10 ounce goblet at the Brick Store Pub, a pint at a nearby Taco Mac, and a 12 ounce bottle (bottled on Feb. 17, 2009). Apparently, I just can’t get enough of GD Claymore. Appearance: Pours a clear, dark brown body with some reddish tones when held aloft to the light. Smallish, ivory-colored head. Smell: Pleasant blend of roasted, toasted, and smoked malts. Distant background note of over-cooked plums. Taste: Sound dark malt base, a tad bit nutty and bready, with tastes of chocolate, dark caramel, and a tiny pinch of brown sugar. Medium-high sweetness throughout. Well-integrated smoke component replete with hints of earth and tobacco. Very slight fruitiness. Earthy bitterness, though fairly light. Touch of alcohol warmth on the drying, earthy finish. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Slight stickiness to the mouthfeel. Drinkability: A very competent and enjoyable scotch ale, IMHO. Recommended. I can fully envision myself snatching up a six-pack of the stuff.

dark brown and clear with no head. chocolate, peaty aroma. flavors of tootsie rolls, chocolate, smoky peat and earthy malts. medium bodied. smooth velvety palate.

Tasted 4/28/09. 12oz bottle. Filtered, but with a deep ruby hue. Web and ring of cream colored head. Bready, earthy malt aromas. Rustic breads and toffee. Medium bodied with rather soft carbonation. Mild effervescence. Smooth body. Malt dominant. Mildly chalky and dry. Just enough dark fruity esters to notice, but not detract from the flavor. Sweet breads and malted candy. Just a kiss of bitter hops, but they remind me of TItan, so it’s a perfect accompaniment. Initial sweetness that’s just enough to make you notice, then the bitter and astringent aspect takes over. Finishes sticky and tingling. Quite well melded and rolling. As it goes from cold to warmer: sips to gulps: full to empty, it really shows it versatility on the palate. Solid drinking, but it makes you think as you taste. Fresh and good. No flaws or detriments. This stays with you. Hits all the good spots!