Beer Review – Samuel Adams Scotch Ale

By limpd on July 1, 2011 • ( 5 Comments )

I picked up another Sam Adams sampler and this time, along with the usual suspects, this case included the Scotch Ale. From the Sam Adams site:

“This is a brew for adventurous beer drinkers. Made with seven malts: two-row pale Harrington, Metcalfe, and Copeland pale malts, Munich, chocolate malt, and a rare peat smoked malt commonly used by distillers of Scotch malt whiskey. This unique malt gives Samuel Adams Scotch Ale its distinct, subtle smoky character and deep amber hue. Its smokiness is balanced with the subtle earthy character of the traditional English hops, Goldings and Fuggles. This is a big brew dominated by malt flavors and aromas, rich and full-bodied with a slight sweetness. Its layered malt complexity lingers to a smooth and silky finish.”

I found the Scotch Ale to have the following characteristics.

Appearance: Deep cherry with a lot of foam and good lacing.
Aroma: Sweet, malty with a subtle hint of hops.
Taste: Very mild with a slightly bitter finish.
ABV: 5.4%

The Sam Adams Scotch Ale is not quite as thick and full flavored as some Scotch ales but this was a surprisingly good beer.

Categories: Brew Review, Sam Adams

Tagged as: Beer, Beer review, Boston Beer Company, Boston MA, brew, Craft Beer, Highway 78 Scotch Ale, New England, Review, Sam Adams, Sam Adams Scotch Ale, Samuel Adams, Scotch Ale

5 replies »

foodsweatandbeers says:

July 1, 2011 at 11:31 AM

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this one before!! But I think the Sam Adams Samplers are my favorite way to get Sam Adams, since most of the beers I can’t quite handle for a full 6-pack.

Beautiful color, though.

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- limpd says:
  
  July 1, 2011 at 4:42 PM
  
  I think the sampler packs are a great way to taste a part of a brewer’s spectrum of beers. You might try a beer and think it is terrible and if that happened in a bar or with a six pack you might swear off a brewer. With a sampler pack you are bound to find a few good beers and may come to appreciate a brewer in a new way.
  
  I like the Sam Adams sampler in particular because they roll out their seasonal collection (Old Fezziwig, Noble Pils, Holiday Porter, White Ale, etc.) and their brew masters’ collection (Black Lager, Scotch Ale, Revolutionary Rye, Boston Ale, etc.) while including their tried and true (Boston Lager, Sam Adams Light).
  
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Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says:

July 1, 2011 at 6:49 PM

I’m always a little hesitant with Sam Adams, some of their seasonals are great. Others… So I’m glad to let you taste first. Thanks! Will be trying.

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- limpd says:
  
  July 2, 2011 at 7:37 PM
  
  More than happy to do the dirty work. I am just that committed to my fellow dancers.
  
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randommanda says:

July 3, 2011 at 8:56 PM

I found this Scotch Ale to be surprisingly delicious! I wasn’t expecting much – but it really had a nice malty flavor! 🙂

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