McEwans Scotch Ale

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

Pours a dark brown color with some orange to red highlights, and a thin light tan colored head. Aroma is thick and roasty with a good portion of coffee. It’s a pretty thick beer with pretty much no carbonation. The flavor is initially very caramely with a nice hint of roasted malt, and fades in to a lasting sweetness with a hint of smokiness. Pretty much no alcohol taste even at 8%, and if someone told me that there were no hops in this, I’d probably believe them. There may be a tiny bit of bitterness here in the finish, but it sure isn’t much.

Not bad, but the scotch taste can seem overpowering. I found it quite strong, and I probably misssed the better qualities. If you like scotch or a strong taste then this one is for you. Man up for this drink!

Deep ruby brown, medium light tan head that didn’t last. Smell at first was like a ball of foil, and after a minute or two, turned to a rich malt, grassy, lightly metallic smell, with stick soy notes. Taste was similar, with a slight sourness. Maybe it wasn’t so fresh, but I drank it within a couple days of buying it. Didn’t taste the alcohol really, but it was still pretty poor I thought, and not what I was hoping or thinking it’d be.

I’m sure it’s well made and has great ’character’ but I made the mistake of tasting this without preamble. It’s like jumping into a freezing lake. The alcohol ’bite’ is simply too much. The earthy, syrpy qualities are overpowering. I’m sorry, it’s robotussing and mrs. butterworth. You want a strong drink from Scotland, drink Johnny Walker Blue.

355mL bottle: Pours a dark brown, practically black with large foamy tan head, good lace. Aroma of sweet charcoal. Flavor is reminiscent of molasses with strong alcolholic bite, no hops, lotsa malt, very sweet with nice, heavy, long lasting aftertaste. The alcohol bite reigns supreme throughout. Ahhh.... Palate is warm and syrupy. Great stuff but drink it slow, lest ye be struck with beer goggles!

This beer pours a deep brown/black with little to no head. The aroma is very toasted malts.... Almost a smoked peat . The flavor emulates this too! This is a very well crafted beer in my opinion. I think I’ll have another! Cheers!

Deliciou Scotch ale! It’s been a while since I’ve had one. Aroma of thick caramel and alochol. Pour was an inviting dark brown with a 1 finger off white head. Taste was full and strong...dark fruits and caramel with sugary undertones and a not too strong alcohol burn. Mouthfeel was medium thick and nicely carbonated. I can’t believe I waited this long to try this classic.

I am an occasional Beer drinker. I try a new type each time .. Recently I tried McEwen’s this has to be my favorite to date. A smooth hearty flavor.