Gritty McDuffs Scottish Ale

Brewed by Gritty McDuffs
Style: Scottish Ale
Portland, Maine USA

2004-2005 bomber shared with Muzzlehatch at the "Crappy Maine beers plus two random Belgians and a Cider" Tasting on 5/22/2005. Dark amber-light-tan colored body, some auburn tints. Small white head is gone in no time, no lacing. Chill haze to the body, not altogether completely filtered. Caramel, light nutty hops bitterness and butterscotch in the nose. Flavor is light diacetyl, standard caramel-toffee, candied oranges, and some light citrus bitterness on the end. Reasonably well-extracted malt providing a medium to medium-full body makes this one enjoyable. Lightly chewy mouthfeel with some thinning on the end as it warms.

22 oz bottle shared with the Master of Disaster, ClarkVV at his parents’ palatial chalet in Belfast Maine. Hazy dark amber with a tiny ring of foam...creme brulee dominant in nose with some nice earthyness and a touch of wet hops for balance...thick molasses in the body, bit of orangy fruitiness and acidity, very full, dry hoppy quite long finish. A surprise, honestly, I wasn’t expecting much.

12 oz. best before jan 05 bottle: Sweet caramel, grainy nose, hints of perfumey hops. Copper amber hue. Thick rocky poale tan head. Great subtle smokey, toffee-ish malts, light to medium body, woody, earthen slightly dry hop ending. Quite clean and rounded feeling. A nice brew, but nothing big or bold here. Very drinkable and great winter offering.

From the 22oz bomber. Pours a nutty copper with a thick creamy tan head. Quite lacy. Smell is malty and syrupy. Bitter aromas and spicy. I detect a hint of saltiness. Taste is not nearly as dynamic as the smell. It is malty but only lightly spicy. A bit chewy but mostly really creamy and smooth, especially for a scotch ale. Doesn’t have the smokiness or body I like in a scotch ale but it is pretty tasty and damn smooth. Not their best by a long shot but a serviceable ale from Gritty’s. EDIT: Ok that bomber I had may have not been up to snuff. I have had subsequent 6-packs that have been much more flavorful and rich. Still not fantastic but better than I thought before.

Bottle: pours copper with a medium tan head. Nice looking beer. The aroma was somewhat malty with hints of diacetyl. The flavor is pretty malty up from with a touch of smoke. Mild alcohol notes as well. Finish is mildly bitter. Good.

Clear, dark amber with a yellowy, beige head that forms a thin cover and and good lacing. Aroma is friuty and very butterscotchy from diacetyl with watermelon and green apple notes. Some caramel in the scent as well. Flavour is strong in watermelon that is probably due to something wrong with the hop schedule. This fruitiness is followed by medum bitterness that’s off balance with the lack of residual sweetness that’s expected in a Scottish Ale. Medium body with lots of carbonation and a metallic feel. I wouldn’t reccomend this beer. [resampled at brewery, 12/2005] Reddish-coppery and clear with a lasting, thin cover. Sherry, port, alcohol aroma with some cherries and a touch of toasted malt. Sweet and spicy malt flavour with a late toastiness missing the distinctive caramelization that this styple should have. No hops flavour, but significant hops bitterness. Some dried fruit flavours too. Medium body and too sweet, a little astringent and moderate carbonation.

Polar Beer Tour 2005

One of my Gritty’s favorites. Was poured with a dynamic copper body and a cap of white. The aroma was fruity and sweet. Notes of pears, red apples plums, peach and some light hints of raisins mingling in there as well. Sweet and calmly smoky.. molasses and caramel. A fine beer indeed.

Medium amber body, somewhat fizzy tan head. Bready, hoppy aroma. Some caramel in the flavor, but it is a bit too watery and thin. Finishes dry and slightly sour. Eh.