Samuel Adams Scotch Ale – Beer Review

I am forever going back and forth when it comes to the products by the Boston Beer Company, better known as Samuel Adams. I recently came across their Scotch Ale at a bar in Boston and it brought out all sorts of feelings in me. I recently heard that the brewery changed the recipe in this brew, which was the cause of my mixed reaction.

I tried this a few years ago and it didn’t really do much for me. At the time I probably didn’t have quite the taste for specialty beers that I do today, but I was still fairly adventurous in my pursuit of a solid brew. The second go around with this beer proved to be more rewarding, although since the last time I tried this beer I’ve also enjoyed several more authentic Scotch Ales.

For starters, when I think of this style of beer I want to think it’s been brewed in Scotland. Whether or not it’s true really doesn’t matter as I’m a firm believer that a good beer can come from anywhere on Earth given the right attitude and the right ingredients, but I digress. When I know from thethat Sam Adams is responsible for this beer I also know for sure that it was brewed in Boston. This kind of ruins the magic for me.

Putting that silliness aside, this really is a decent go at this style. The only draw back that’s worth complaining about here is its relatively low alcohol content. At 5.4% it is significantly weaker than many other Scotch Ales. The beer is a rich ruby color and forms a head that’s worth writing home about. As is typical with Sam Adams beers, the lacing is also to be commended. The beer smells primarily of malt with a bit of smoke lingering. The flavor is rich and sweet, with in your face doses of peat and smoke. These are balanced with toffee and caramel for an interesting experience. The carbonation matches the beer perfectly, as it is rather low. The finish here is rich and leaves a slight burn in the back of the throat. Overall this is not a bad beer.