A Flowery Song

Background: Founders’ strong Scotch Ale is called “Dirty Bastard”; the bottle only gives us “ale aged in oak bourbon barrels” as the description, but I think it’s a fair assumption that the base beer is Dirty Bastard.

Nose: Fresh corn bourbon and vanilla oak.

Taste: Sugared oak. The caramelisation from the wee heavy plays nicely with the sweet bourbon flavours from the barrel, but the extra alcohol really thins out the body. Somewhat fruity.

Overall: I like barrel-aged beers, I really do. Unfortunately, I find that the bourbon barrels most commonly used have a tendency to overwhelm even the most robust base beer, giving them a distressing sameness. This is good beer, but it’s not great and it’s very bourbon.

Background: What’s nicer on a cold wet winter’s night than a nice malty Scotch Ale? Not much, to be sure, though there are things like Quelque Chose that will give it a run for its money. Bell’s is eager to cater to your every need, so here’s a seasonal release of, well, a Scotch Ale.

Nose: Malty caramel with earthy undertones.

Taste: Dextrinous and creamy, with a solid caramel malt presence and hints of appley esters.

Overall: Well, hmm. *scuff scuff*. After the build-up in the introduction, I almost hate to write my reaction. It’s decent-tasting and drinkable, but well on the light side for a Scotch Ale, while being heavier than a normal Scottish Ale. Neither fish nor fowl, it’s not quite what I was looking for to warm the cockles of my heart (or my toes). Still, it’s tasty, and as long as you aren’t looking for a strong ale you shouldn’t suffer any disappointment.

Background: From Dark Horse Brewing in Marshall comes this strong ale, something that it's always fun to reach for on a chilly evening.

Appearance: Lots of sediment in the bottle, so a careful decanting is in order. Cloudy mahogany with ruby highlights. Minimal head.

Nose: Toffee, treacle, bread pudding, caramel, and wet leaves. (Need I mention that it smells sweet?)

Taste: Rich, caramelised malt. Bread, raisins, and smoke. Nutmeg. The 9.75% ABV is not evident.

Overall: Extremely solid example of the style. Considering the less-than-stellar performance of other Dark Horse beers, I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

Appearance: Medium hazy brown with a dense, sticky head.

Nose: Earthy smoke on a caramel background.

Taste: Heavy caramel malt makes up the bulk of the flavour, with a hefty dose of peat smoke and some biscuity toasted influence.

Mouthfeel: On the light side.

Overall: Decidedly decent. Love the flavour, but the mouthfeel is somewhat lacking.

Appearance: Pours a medium, hazy brown with a thick sticky head.

Smell: Sweet, caramel and smoke predominating with hints of meatiness and molasses.

Taste: Starts with a sweet caramel maltiness, peat smoke starts coming through in the middle accompanied by some vanilla and bourbon notes, a bit of molasses and dark fruit. Finish is long, drying, and oak-driven, with the perfect amount of smokiness sticking around, and some interesting nuttiness presenting.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, light carbonation.

Drinkability: I AM IN LUFF. This is excellent, and I wish that it were a regular release rather than a limited release that I'll probably never be able to have again.

Appearance: Opaque dark brown body with one finger of tan head that displays excellent retention.

Smell: Sweet caramel malt and some peat-like smokiness.

Taste: Malt sweetness, a background of chocolate and coffee notes with some smokiness. Definite peat influence, and an oddly sour flavour overall.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, full-bodied with mild carbonation.

Drinkability: Somewhat discordant components, and not really a good example of the style.

Appearance: Pours a clear reddish amber with two fingers of off-white head that quickly dissipates.

Smell: Spicy malt with a hint of pine and a lot of fruit notes.

Taste: Sweet and fruity up front, leading into a wonderful mix of malt, apples, caramel, and pine on an earthy background. Long soft finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and full with light carbonation.

Drinkability: An excellent strong ale with lots of depth.