McEwans Scotch Ale

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

Word to the J-nizzle. I like this beer, I don’t care for its poor rating...I really like the flavor/palate, even if it doesn’t really have much going on. The sweet and smooth finish are a change of pace, most definately. I still think its a solid brew, even if there are wayyy better scotch ales.

First time jarspag gave me a sip of this stuff back in the day, I was impressed so I bought a pack. Good stuff. nice lacing with a rich dark brown color. Aroma is sweet and malty , and I enjoyed the flavor thoroughly. Lots of caramel and some sweet licorice and hangs on the palate, with tinlgy carbonation. How is it that I have not rated this yet? Big ups to him for introducing this to me back in the good ol’ days when I didn’t even know what the hell a Scotch ale was. Sweet and smoky caramel flavors blend quite nicely in this one. I remember tasting this at the Island house in Mission Beach, when J came up to me and said "try this bro," and my crapped palate went "Damn son! That right there is dank!" only to travel down the road of craft beer as a hobby (huh?) would I discover the heft and complexity to other Scotchies. Not the greatest, but it gets my points for that noob experience and the addictive, liver-mashing, bank-account liquidating force of craft beer that ensued. Party on.

Pours a five finger light tan head that fades slowly leaving a good lace. Deep mahogany color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Malty nose. Flavor is smooth, not too sweet, hops mellow, higher ABV is hidden. Really the standard for scotch ales. $1.99 for a 12oz bottle from Tull’s Beer & Wine Wells, ME.

I was a bit overwhelmed by the malty sweetness. Took me a while to finish it. Not sure I would try this one again.

Bottle. Red brown colour with a beige head. Aroma is roasted, caramel. Flavour is sweet, roasted,coffee, caramel, hop. Ok beer.

12oz bottle. Pours black with red highlights and a small white head. Aroma is malty, very sweet, fruity with raisins and grapes. Taste is sweet malts with a little bit of chocolate. Medium bodied. This is a standard Scotch Ale, a style which I cannot seem to get into. This is still a good example of the style though.

Bottled. Deep red with a small beige head. Weak nose with malt and beef-stock. Weak flavor as well, with a sweetish, caramel-like twist. Medium body and a finish with alcohol and sugar. A weak beer, not overly impressive, yet it is not bad. (070302)

Deep amber colour with good head. Strong armoas of roasted malts with coffee and some fruits as well. Tastes of malts and caramels, with some roasted grains. Enjoyed this beer more by taking small sips rather than large mouthfuls. Could not drink multiples of these in a sitting but sit nice overall.