Happy Tuesday, BrewSounders. (That's what I'm calling you now)
Today I'll be talking more beer from my Michigan trip.
The style is one of my favorites. The brewery is one of the best in the U.S., in my opinion. And the beer itself is one of my all-time favorite beers. Ever.
Seriously.
Seriously.
Let's talk Scotch Ale.
Scottish Style Ale is a variant of Strong Pale Ale believed to be developed in Edinburgh, Scotland in the late 18th or early 19th century. The traditional characteristics of Scottish Ale are a deep red/copper color that can vary to a dark brown, sweet flavors from malts and unfermented sugars also imparting a rich mouth-feel and a low hop profile with an abv. around 5-7% . The color and much of the sweet flavor comes from a long boil of the wort, resulting a caramelization. Wort (pronounced wert ) is kind of like tea. Grain and malt are boiled in water with hops being added at different points along the boil to impart different characteristics (taste, color, smell). It is then fermented to produce alcohol and carbonation.
Scotch Ale is a stronger version of the Scottish Ale. Deeper in color, higher alcohol content, sweeter caramel malt and roasted characters.
Wee Heavy is Scotch Ale, also. Used in place of and/or used to represent the strongest of the Scotch Ale Style.
Brewery:
Founders Brewing Company
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Name/Style:
Dirty Bastard/Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
ABV(alcohol by volume):
8.5%
Founders Brewing likes to think of themselves as brewers who brew beer not for the masses, but for beer people. I can't disagree. Though, this tasty gem is very accessible for a Founders brew. I even shared a few with my mother over some pleasant conversation.
Pours a stunning deep mahogany that is a little hazy with a topping of big almond toned head that lingers the whole session. This is one of the most beautiful beers you will ever see. No lie, I'm actually salivating a little as I type just thinking about it...Anyway.
The aroma from Dirty Bastard is rich caramel, brown sugar, toffee, dark fruits(date like, maybe), with a touch of roasted malt and alcohol. Doesn't have the smokiness that often accompanies Scotch Ale.
The taste is INCREDIBLE. Everything present in the nose is there on the tongue. Creamy caramel, toffee, the fruitiness, all mingle with a sweet malt backbone and a spice from the alcohol. There is also higher than normal hop bitterness. Some peat flavor comes through, but it is mostly on the end of the taste experience. For the uninitiated, when I say peat, yes I mean the stuff used in gardening. It is burned to dry and roast barley. This barley then imparts the peat characteristics to the ale. Often coming through as smoky, here in Dirty Bastard it is more earthy. Might sound strange, but it is delicious.
Smooth as velvet is how I would describe the mouth-feel. Finishes dry enough to keep the sweetness from being overbearing or cloying. If ever you see this mouthwatering malt bomb do not hesitate to buy it and then send me one. (No distribution in Florida)
Musical Pairings:
Artist:
Skids
Song:
The Saints Are Coming
Album:
Wide Open EP
Formed in the late 1970's, Skids (often referred to as The Skids) were one of the only new-wave-punk outfits out of Scotland to make it on the international music scene. There biggest hit being "Into The Valley".
