Keweenaw 30 Shilling

Brewed by Keweenaw Brewing Company
Style: Scottish Ale
Houghton, Michigan USA

On tap at the brewpub. Mostly hazy, caramel colored pour, with hues of rust and a thin layer of wispy off-white head. Malt aromas of biscuit and caramel, along with subtle hints of oaky vanilla. Low levels of diacetyl are a bit off-putting, but the character is restrained enough to allow the malts to still be mostly pleasant. Medium-full bodied, softly carbonated mouthfeel with a rich, malty texture. Biscuity malt flavors are a little bit sharp up front, and gives it more of a toasted bread flavor where I’m looking for melanoidins and caramelization depth. Suggestions of vanilla come through mid-palate, but this is drowned out by a wave of buttery diacetyl that immediately follows into the finish. Too much D for me to really enjoy, which was disheartening after reading such a tantalizing description.