Beer 298/365 – Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale

Style: Wee Heavy / Scottish Ale

ABV: 8.0%

Purchased at: D’s Six Pack – Monroeville PA

What makes this beer different: Alcohol is very well hidden for 8%ABV

Will I be drinking this again: Possibly, depends what my other choices are.

Grade: B+

9/2/2010: I went to visit my buddy to see his baby today. He lives about a half hour east of the city near one of the places that introduced me to craft beer; D’s Six Packs. I stopped in and they still have a pretty good variety, but the thing about this place is their prices have always been some of the best in Pittsburgh.

Kilt Lifter has a really strong nose, caramel malts, earthy, almost a bourbon kick? and overall just very sweet. The flavor like most Scottish ales is mostly caramel/toffee, with some brown sugar, and a bourbony kick. The flavor is really sweet but not too much so, but one thing that knocks this down a peg is the mouthfeel as its a bit lighter for the style. Which is odd because even though the mouthfeel is light, the ABV is hidden very very well.

Picture of the day: Super Mario 3 was my favorite video game growing up so I had to post this one.

Beer 278/365 – Rivertowne Shepherds Crook Scottish Ale

Style: Scotch Ale

ABV: 5.1%

Purchased at: Rivertowne Pourhouse – Pittsburgh, PA

What makes this beer different: Very sweet and roasty, but still drinkable.

Will I be drinking this again: If they bottled it maybe

Grade: A-

8/13/2010: Sorry for the poor photo quality, but my cell phone camera is not exactly state of the art. Rivertowne Pourhouse is a pretty well kept secret even to a lot of casual craft beer drinkers in the Pittsburgh area. In the past they did not bottle any of their beer until they joined forces with North County Brewing out of Slippery Rock PA to create “Full Pint Brewing.” Not really sure at this point which of their beers they will be bottling, but very cool to see more craft beer activity out of my hometown.

Shepherd’s Crook has little to no smell at all, very odd. The flavor is mildly smokey and roasty with lots of caramel malt. This is one of the heavier beers I have had in the 5.1% ABV range, but it works for the style. I’m actually surprised I haven’t drank more Scotch Ales out of my 278 beers so far, as it is one of my favorite styles. I think its because not a lot of american craft brewers make year round Scotch Ales. Always I was really impressed with this beer, actually ended up having two more pints of it by the end of the night. If you are in the Pittsburgh area for any reason, be sure to stop by Rivertowne.

Picture of the day: The Melting Pot.

Beer 120/365 – Founder’s Sappy Slappy Bastard

Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy

Purchased at: Smokin Joe’s – Pittsburgh PA

What makes this beer different: So strong but the maple balances it out PERFECTLY

Will I be drinking this again: I hope to God they brew this again.

Grade: A+

3/8/2010: Big thanks to one of my readers Andy and his wife for buying me a couple rounds on a Monday night. They hail from Detroit and were spending a couple nights in Pittsburgh before heading out to The Barnes Foundation in Philly. They also picked me up 4 Short’s PB&J’s, 2 Short’s Mystery Stouts, and a Kentucky Breakfast Stout from 09. They wouldn’t let me pay them for any of the beer mentioned above. So again, thanks so much to Andy and his wife. You guys will be getting a nice little surprise beer in the mail when you get back home.

I honestly never even heard of this beer, but Andy went on to tell me its basically Backwoods Bastard that is aged in maple barrels (he had one also). I am always down for trying any beer that has maple in it. The smell is pretty straight forward, bourbon with maple. The taste is freaking amazing. The bourbon hits you first, and smoothly transitions into a strong maple flavor, and finishes with a touch of oak and vanilla. This is the most maple flavor I have ever tasted in a beer, but it works because there was a lot of bourbon in it to balance out. Maple is the perfect addition to the backwoods bastard, because I found the bourbon a little strong for me. Mouthfeel is syrupy but creamy in a way. Its been awhile since I had an A+ beer but this one no doubt deserves it. If you are lucky enough to see this on tap at a local bar.. GET IT!

Picture of the day: Even comcast realizes that Jay Leno’s show sucks.

Beer 39 – Founder’s Backwoods Bastard

Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy

Purchased at: Vintage Estate

What makes this beer different: Whiskey Whiskey Whiskey

Will I be drinking this again: Yes

Grade: B+

12/17/2009: This is the first time I have ever tried a Scotch Ale. According to Beer Advocate Scotch Ales are strong ales, also known as “Wee Heavy.” In the 19th century Scotland, they’d also be known as 160/-, a nomenclature based on the now obsolete shilling currency.

First thing that hits you without a doubt is the bourbon, followed by oak chips and vanilla. Might sound weird but it is a really good blend. As the beer warms up it REALLY becomes a sipping beer (as if it wasn’t before that). Lots of whiskey flavor as it warms. If you are a whiskey/bourbon lover give this one a try, otherwise steer clear.