Filed under: Founders, Scotch ale (thistle) | Tags: aged, alcohol, barrel, beautiful, bourbon, burnt, dark, flavorful, good finish, good lacing, intense, interesting, leather, long lasting, oaked, opaque, prickly, red, ruby, smoky, strong, superlative, sweet, tan head, tea, well done, whiskey
The color is beautiful. A deep ruby red, almost opaque. Good lacing with a thinner but persistent light tan foamy head.
The aroma is sweet, oak, and tea. Alcohol is present in the nose. Lots of leather, and the aroma is quite strong.
The flavor is mostly whiskey. Very penetrated with the oak aging. Good finish, smoky, dark and burnt. A superlative scotch ale. Founders knows how to do it right.
The palate is prickly — lightly carbonated and long lasting. Very dark, intense flavors. A very well done brew.
Overall, I like this quite a bit. Better, IMHO, than Oaked Arrogant Bastard which does not balance the aging nearly as well. I’d have this again. Not a favorite, but I simply prefer heavier stouts.
Filed under: Chouffe, Scotch ale (thistle) | Tags: bitter finish, brown, cloudy, deep, dry, Fruity, light head, mild, nice, nice lace, red, some bitterness, sparkling fruit juice, special, terrycloth
ABV, Volume & Calories: 8.5 % in 11.2 fl oz. estimated at 200 C
Purchased at: Canal’s, Lawrenceville, NJ for $4.29
Aroma: typical brown ale scent. 7 out of 10.
Visuals: deep, brown, red, cloudy, light head, nice lace. 4 out of 5.
Taste: special, fruity, nice, sparkling fruit juice, some bitterness, dry. 10 out of 10.
Palate: dry, terrycloth, fruity, bitter finish. 4 out of 5.
Overall: Very much like seltzer and fruit juice. Refreshing. I like it, but it’s way too expensive. Not a favorite, but well crafted. 16 out of 20.
Filed under: Founders, Scotch ale (thistle) | Tags: bitter, burnt, caramel, chocolate, cocoa, delicious, long finiosh, mellow, red, Toast, whole wheat, wispy
RateBeer rating: 94
Calories: estimated at 175 C
Volume: 12 fl oz.
Glass: thistle, shaker
Purchased at: Canal’s Discount Liquors, Burlington, NJ (Thanks, Mike!)
Price: $1.89
Consumed at: home
Tanka: Chocolate surprise
mellow red white wisps
deep cocoa and caramel
long bitter and burnt
chocolate on whole wheat toast
when can I have another?
aroma 10 out of 10
visuals 4 out of 5
taste 10 out of 10
palate 5 out of 5
overall 18 out of 20
Filed under: Oskar Blues, Scotch ale (thistle) | Tags: chocolate, dark, Malty, rich, sweet, watery
ABV:8.0%
Calories: estimated at 200 C
Volume: 12 fl oz can
Glass: tulip (nee thistle)
Purchased at: Joe Canal’s Lawrenceville
Price: $1.50 per can
Consumed at: home
Impression: Deep dark ruby brown. Rich. tastes of chocolate, coffee, and smoke in a slightly thin base, but not badly so. Visually stunning. Head starts off tannish brown and thick, but reduces to a wispy foam with little head on a sometimes brown, sometimes deep ruby body. Palate is slightly thin, but likely in keeping with the style. I’m not that familiar with Scotch Ale. A very nice color and aroma, and the alcohol is hidden well. Not nearly as rich as a chocolate or coffee stout, but certainly a drinkable, worthy ale.
Aroma: 8 out of 10
Visuals: 4 out of 5
Taste: 8 out of 10
Palate: 3 out of 5
Overall: 15 out of 20 I liked the dark rich color, the chocolate aroma, and the relatively reasonable price per can for an Oskar Blues beer. Dale’s Pale Ale can go for upwards of 4.50 per can.
