McEwans Scotch Ale

Brewed by John Smiths (S&N, Heineken)
Style: Scotch Ale
Tadcaster, England

Very very enjoyable - dark brown pour and a big malty aroma. Thick and flavorful, nutty slightly smoky taste with the alcohol no where in sight. A bit on the sweet side, maybe a bit too much as its only fault. Unfortunately one of the most expensive to buy locally.

Pours out blackest red with an off white head. Aroma is malty with a hint of chocolate. Taste is thick and chocolaty with a touch of caramel. Deceptively strong. A wonderfully heavy beer that is almost a desert or after dinner drink.

The 12 ounce bottle poured a clear deep ruby red beverage with a small fizzy off white head that was mostly diminishing but it left some lacing on the glass. The aroma was heavy on the malty side with distinct notes of caramel and molasses and a more subtle note of roasted nuts. The body was medium-full with soft carbonation and an oily texture. The flavor started out moderately sweet and stayed that way throughout the long finish. There was a distinct alcohol warmth at the end.

Aroma of sweet malt, caramel, and molasses. Appearance is dark reddish brown with light tan head. Sweet flavors of chocolate, molasses, caramel, a bit of fruit, and lots of malt. Very malt heavy and sweet. Better than I expected.

Dark ruby color (almost black), thin off-white head, lively carbonation. Aroma of cherry, grape, some chocolate and roasted malt. Warm sweetness, creamy texture followed by a soft bitter-tart hint. Cooked plum and chocolote taste in the end. Classic scotch ale!!!

Way too sweet. But what makes this almost undrinkable for me is the strong whiskey-like taste. It’s a sipper.

Appearance: Pours a deep, dark reddish-brown body with a small beige head. Smell: Extremely sweet-smelling, vinous nose of English toffee, smokey peat, and fruitiness. Hints of roasted malt. Taste: Surprisingly sweet and malty, almost enough to let loose some vulgar expletives. Huge amounts of dark toffee, brown sugar, and whiskey-soaked plums, with only a tiny measure of chocolate. The finish is sweet, malty, and quite warming. Thankfully, the sweetness tapers off somewhat, allowing the smokiness to linger into the aftertaste. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Moderate carbonation. Sticky, chewy mouthfeel. Drinkability: Purchased at a store where beers go to be forgotten (Jax in Sandy Springs), particularly the singles, I’m left to wonder how old this is as it just has a great aged quality to it. I’d say it’s got some of the qualities of a J.W. Lee’s Harvest Ale, but being less alcoholic and less syrupy, while being a more cost-effective.

Bottle: Dark brown, some Ruby hues, moderate light beige head, frothy, sticky lacing.   Roasted malt nose, slight campfire and/or charred wood, a little peat, some ash, touch of soy, smidgen of dark pitted fruit and caramel.   Campfire becomes more noticeable as it warms.   Seems to have a lot going on!   Sweet start, malty, perhaps even a bit spritzy.   Slightly smokey but not nearly as much as I anticipated.   Both dark pitted fruit and pale fruit skin. &bnsp Some slight ash on the backside.   Feels somewhat peaty throughout.   Moderate body and mouthfeel.   Not as heavy in the mouth as I would have liked.   Finishes with a little bit of cereal, slight roasted malts, peat, and sweetened cream.   Pretty tasty for something so readily available.   I’d do this one again.