Highland Imperial Gaelic

Formerly brewed at Highland Brewing Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Asheville, North Carolina USA

Bottle from Dan at the beerinator gathering. Thanks, Dan! Aroma was a mixture between an imperial ipa and a barleywine. Strong, citrus hops with a nice malty backbone. Very well balanced and quite tasty. Happy to try this rare brew and was quite surprised at how much I liked it.

Bottle sampled on 10/23/06: Pours a slightly hazy copper with a nicely-lacing wispy white head. Big citrusy grapefruity hoppy aroma has a sweet toasty pale malty presence. Body starts with a nice rich caramel sweetness with lots of fresh citrusy bittering and flavor hops. Well-balanced toward a crisp, slightly-warming bittersweet finish.

The aroma was malty and nutty with a strong caramel impression and some toasty notes. A light spice was present and some dark fruits. The amber beer was lightly hazy and had a yellowish compact head which did last enough to lace the glass. The flavor was malty with a strong citrusy hop flavor and a substantial bittering to backup the malt presence. The citrus hop flavor was a bit of grapefruit and a smidge of orange and as the hop flavor faded on the palate a strong caramel presented itself coupled with a biscuity and toasty flavor. The malt and hop balance was well done and made for an enjoyable pint. The body was medium full and with a moderate level of carbonation the beer was creamy in mouthfeel. The beer went dry into the aftertaste with lasting biscuit and toast and the only hints of alcohol came in the flavor and in some light warming that occurred after consumption. A very nice beer to celebrate the last brew from Downtown Asheville. 1 liter flip top bottle purchased at the release party.

A treasure courtesy of muenster. Growler.Thanks so much Chris. I’m treating myself to this tonight because I’ve been down on my luck, and things are starting to get better slowly. Deep, dark copper/amber topped with a frothy white head. there’s a good amount of lace left too. Powerful hop aroma, which I’m guessing is cascade. Lots of piney citric goodness. Bready malts with loads of spice and perfume. Flavour is full out resiny hop goodness, pine, orange peel, and lots of sweet and balanced rye bread malts. Hints of oak and smoke as well. Very bold finish, well attenuated, excellent balance. Well done Highland, and thanks Chris for being so generous, much appreciated.

Pours clear deep amber with a large off-white head. The aroma is big in it’s malt profile. Some bitterness that builds to a dry finish rounds out and compliments the flavors that the malts provide. Thanks to kp for sharing this at the pre cask tasting.

Yay kp. He brough some to the pre- Cask Ale fest gathering just for me (or so he said). Really not much in the way of a scottish ale, but makes an excellent American Strong. Great big sticky hops. Good malt.

This American Strong Ale pours a medium orange gold color from a 22oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is malty and sweet, touch of spice. A medium to full bodied American Strong Ale. Malts are caramel and sweet, cookie and bready. Hops are slightly piney and a touch spicy. Nice balance. Touch of smoke and peat, maybe some cinnamon. Interesting beer, Very smooth and warming throughout. This is one of those beers that just have to fall into that American Strong Ale category. There is nothing else to describe it. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Pours with a deep red-brown with a thick head and lots of lacing. The aroma is sweet and malty with a slight roasty note. The flavor is sweet and malty with a little rosty/smokiness and a grassy, sweet hop note and a little pine. Full bodied, tingly and a touch warming.