A Quick Guide To Scottish Beer
- By Steven Hooch
- Published 11/17/2011
- Food and Drink
- Unrated
Scotland has long been known as one of the world's foremost centres for beer with its beer-making traditions stretching back to 5,000 years. In fact, the use of bittering herbs was first pioneered in Scottish beer before the practice spread to the rest of Europe. Then and now, Glasgow and Edinburgh still maintain their notable places in the global beer industry, thanks to the Scots' devotion to the art and science of brewing beer.
Scottish Light 60/-
A Scottish light has deep amber to dark copper colour with off-white to tan-coloured head. Its aroma is described as smoky, earthy or very lightly roasted with a light fruitiness, low hop and low to medium malty sweetness to it. The flavours largely lean toward malty without being too strong while the bitterness of hops in the least alcoholic Scottish beer is low to moderate. In contrast, the hop flavour is low to none at all. The finish is dry and grainy coupled with a low to moderate carbonation. The overall impression for the Scottish light grey beer is malty with a dry finish. The undertones of peaty earthiness and a few fruity essences are often present.
Scottish Heavy 70/-
The Scottish heavy beers are similar to their light counterparts in terms of aroma, appearance and flavours. The two main differences lie in the alcohol strength and gravity of the Scottish heavy beers, which are FG of 1.010 to 1.015 and ABV of 3.2% to 3.9%. In contrast, the Scottish light beers have FG of 1.010 to 1.013 and ABV of 2.5% to 3.2%. (Yes, the greater the percentage of ABV, the greater the alcohol content. FG, or Final Gravity, is calculated after fermentation that, in turn, affects the alcohol content in Scottish beer).
Scottish heavy beers have low to medium levels of malty
sweetness in their noses, said aroma of which can be accentuated by caramels. Hints of fruitiness as well as smokiness or earthiness can be included in the nose. When poured, the head has a low to moderate quality coupled with a creamy off-white to light tan appearance. The brew's colour ranges from deep amber to dark copper although light can still pass through clearly.
As for flavour, the Scottish heavy beers have malt as their primary flavour with a delicate balance of fruity esters and hop bitters. The beers should have a medium-low to medium body with a creamy, dry and yet grainy mouth-feel.
Scottish Export 80/-
The Scottish beer style with the highest alcohol content, the Scottish export beers offer a low to medium malty sweetness in its nose. Again, the aroma has hints of fruits, hops and diacetyl in it although the malts are predominant. Optional aroma can also include peat, which is often described as earthy or smoky. Except for the FG and the ABV, the Scottish export beers have similar appearance to their light and heavy counterparts. This is also true for the flavor, the finish and the overall impression - clean, malty and dry.
Strong Scotch Ale
The strong Scotch ale provides variety to the above mentioned light, heavy and export Scottish beers. Its aroma is deeply malty with hints of caramel in the primary nose. The secondary aromas often include hints of peat, which is often interpreted as smokiness or earthiness and which also adds to the complexity of the ale.
Its colours range from light copper to dark brown with highlights of deep ruby, all of which are clear instead of cloudy. The head may be large in size and tan in colour. As for flavour, expect a rich malty taste with hints of roasted malt, nuts and fruits particularly plums and raisins.
So, which one is your preferred Scottish beer? Well, to each his own pleasures!
Scottish Light 60/-
A Scottish light has deep amber to dark copper colour with off-white to tan-coloured head. Its aroma is described as smoky, earthy or very lightly roasted with a light fruitiness, low hop and low to medium malty sweetness to it. The flavours largely lean toward malty without being too strong while the bitterness of hops in the least alcoholic Scottish beer is low to moderate. In contrast, the hop flavour is low to none at all. The finish is dry and grainy coupled with a low to moderate carbonation. The overall impression for the Scottish light grey beer is malty with a dry finish. The undertones of peaty earthiness and a few fruity essences are often present.
Scottish Heavy 70/-
The Scottish heavy beers are similar to their light counterparts in terms of aroma, appearance and flavours. The two main differences lie in the alcohol strength and gravity of the Scottish heavy beers, which are FG of 1.010 to 1.015 and ABV of 3.2% to 3.9%. In contrast, the Scottish light beers have FG of 1.010 to 1.013 and ABV of 2.5% to 3.2%. (Yes, the greater the percentage of ABV, the greater the alcohol content. FG, or Final Gravity, is calculated after fermentation that, in turn, affects the alcohol content in Scottish beer).
Scottish heavy beers have low to medium levels of malty
As for flavour, the Scottish heavy beers have malt as their primary flavour with a delicate balance of fruity esters and hop bitters. The beers should have a medium-low to medium body with a creamy, dry and yet grainy mouth-feel.
Scottish Export 80/-
The Scottish beer style with the highest alcohol content, the Scottish export beers offer a low to medium malty sweetness in its nose. Again, the aroma has hints of fruits, hops and diacetyl in it although the malts are predominant. Optional aroma can also include peat, which is often described as earthy or smoky. Except for the FG and the ABV, the Scottish export beers have similar appearance to their light and heavy counterparts. This is also true for the flavor, the finish and the overall impression - clean, malty and dry.
Strong Scotch Ale
The strong Scotch ale provides variety to the above mentioned light, heavy and export Scottish beers. Its aroma is deeply malty with hints of caramel in the primary nose. The secondary aromas often include hints of peat, which is often interpreted as smokiness or earthiness and which also adds to the complexity of the ale.
Its colours range from light copper to dark brown with highlights of deep ruby, all of which are clear instead of cloudy. The head may be large in size and tan in colour. As for flavour, expect a rich malty taste with hints of roasted malt, nuts and fruits particularly plums and raisins.
So, which one is your preferred Scottish beer? Well, to each his own pleasures!
Steven Hooch
Steven Hooch is a leading connoisseur for a variety of fine wines and ales. He has been sharing his insights and reviews for over 11 years striving to provide expert advice and information on a wide range of alcoholic beverages including Scottish Beer.
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