Difference between revisions of "Scottish and Irish Ale"

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=== 9C. Scottish Export 80/- ===
 
=== 9C. Scottish Export 80/- ===
 
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{{main|Scottish Export Ale}}
{| align="right" cellpadding="5" style="margin: 2px 2px 10px 10px; border-style:outset; border-width:1px; border-collapse:collapse;"
 
! colspan="2" align="center" style="background-color:#dcdcdc; font-weight:bold;" | Vital Statistics
 
|-
 
! style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | OG
 
| 1.040 - 1.054
 
|-
 
! style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | FG
 
| 1.010 - 1.016
 
|-
 
! style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | IBU
 
| 15 - 30
 
|-
 
! style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | SRM
 
| 9 - 17
 
|-
 
! style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | ABV%
 
| 3.9 - 5%
 
|}
 
 
 
'''Aroma:''' Low to medium malty sweetness, sometimes accentuated by low to moderate kettle caramelization. Some examples have a low hop aroma, light fruitiness, low diacetyl, and/or a low to moderate peaty aroma (all are optional). The peaty aroma is sometimes perceived as earthy, smoky or very lightly roasted.
 
 
 
'''Appearance:''' Deep amber to dark copper. Usually very clear due to long, cool fermentations. Low to moderate, creamy off-white to light tan-colored head.
 
 
 
'''Flavor:''' Malt is the primary flavor, but isn't overly strong. The initial malty sweetness is usually accentuated by a low to moderate kettle caramelization, and is sometimes accompanied by a low diacetyl component. Fruity esters may be moderate to none. Hop bitterness is low to moderate, but the balance will always be towards the malt (although not always by much). Hop flavor is low to none. A low to moderate peaty character is optional, and may be perceived as earthy or smoky. Generally has a grainy, dry finish due to small amounts of unmalted roasted barley.
 
 
 
'''Mouthfeel:''' Medium-low to medium body. Low to moderate carbonation. Sometimes a bit creamy, but often quite dry due to use of roasted barley.
 
 
 
'''Overall Impression:''' Cleanly malty with a drying finish, perhaps a few esters, and on occasion a faint bit of peaty earthiness (smoke). Most beers finish fairly dry considering their relatively sweet palate, and as such have a different balance than strong Scotch ales.
 
 
 
'''History:''' Traditional Scottish session beers reflecting the indigenous ingredients (water, malt), with less hops than their English counterparts (due to the need to import them). Long, cool fermentations are traditionally used in Scottish brewing.
 
 
 
'''Comments:''' The malt-hop balance is slightly to moderately tilted towards the malt side. Any caramelization comes from kettle caramelization and not caramel malt (and is sometimes confused with diacetyl). Although unusual, any smoked character is yeast- or water-derived and not from the use of peat-smoked malts. Use of peat-smoked malt to replicate the peaty character should be restrained; overly smoky beers should be entered in the Smoked Beer category rather than here.
 
 
 
'''Ingredients:''' Scottish or English pale base malt. Small amounts of roasted barley add color and flavor, and lend a dry, slightly roasty finish. English hops. Clean, relatively un-attenuative ale yeast. Some commercial brewers add small amounts of crystal, amber, or wheat malts, and adjuncts such as sugar. The optional peaty, earthy and/or smoky character comes from the traditional yeast and from the local malt and water rather than using smoked malts.
 
 
 
'''Commercial Examples:''' Orkney Dark Island, Belhaven 80/-(Belhaven Scottish Ale in the US), Belhaven St. Andrews Ale, McEwan's IPA, Caledonian 80/- Export Ale, Broughton Merlin's Ale, Three Floyds Robert the Bruce
 
  
 
=== 9D. Irish Red Ale ===
 
=== 9D. Irish Red Ale ===

Revision as of 12:14, 23 October 2007


9A. Scottish Light 60/-

{{ #if: | Main article: [[Scottish Light Ale|]] | Main article: Scottish Light Ale }}

9B. Scottish Heavy 70/-

{{ #if: | Main article: [[Scottish Heavy Ale|]] | Main article: Scottish Heavy Ale }}

9C. Scottish Export 80/-

{{ #if: | Main article: [[Scottish Export Ale|]] | Main article: Scottish Export Ale }}

9D. Irish Red Ale

{{ #if: | Main article: [[Irish Red Ale|]] | Main article: Irish Red Ale }}

9E. Strong Scotch Ale

Vital Statistics
OG 1.070 - 1.130
FG 1.018 - 1.030+
IBU 17 - 35
SRM 14 - 25
ABV% 6.5 - 10%

Aroma: Deeply malty, with caramel often apparent. Peaty, earthy and/or smoky secondary aromas may also be present, adding complexity. Caramelization often is mistaken for diacetyl, which should be low to none. Low to moderate esters and alcohol are often present in stronger versions. Hops are very low to none.

Appearance: Light copper to dark brown color, often with deep ruby highlights. Clear. Usually has a large tan head, which may not persist in stronger versions. Legs may be evident in stronger versions.

Flavor: Richly malty with kettle caramelization often apparent (particularly in stronger versions). Hints of roasted malt or smoky flavor may be present, as may some nutty character, all of which may last into the finish. Hop flavors and bitterness are low to medium-low, so malt impression should dominate. Diacetyl is low to none, although caramelization may sometimes be mistaken for it. Low to moderate esters and alcohol are usually present. Esters may suggest plums, raisins or dried fruit. The palate is usually full and sweet, but the finish may be sweet to medium-dry (from light use of roasted barley).

Mouthfeel: Medium-full to full-bodied, with some versions (but not all) having a thick, chewy viscosity. A smooth, alcoholic warmth is usually present and is quite welcome since it balances the malty sweetness. Moderate carbonation.

Overall Impression: Rich, malty and usually sweet, which can be suggestive of a dessert. Complex secondary malt flavors prevent a one-dimensional impression. Strength and maltiness can vary.

Comments: Also known as a "wee heavy." Fermented at cooler temperatures than most ales, and with lower hopping rates, resulting in clean, intense malt flavors. Well suited to the region of origin, with abundant malt and cool fermentation and aging temperature. Hops, which are not native to Scotland and formerly expensive to import, were kept to a minimum.

Ingredients: Well-modified pale malt, with up to 3% roasted barley. May use some crystal malt for color adjustment; sweetness usually comes not from crystal malts rather from low hopping, high mash temperatures, and kettle caramelization. A small proportion of smoked malt may add depth, though a peaty character (sometimes perceived as earthy or smoky) may also originate from the yeast and native water. Hop presence is minimal, although English varieties are most authentic. Fairly soft water is typical.

Commercial Examples: Traquair House Ale, Orkney Skull Splitter, McEwan's Scotch Ale, MacAndrew's Scotch Ale, Belhaven Wee Heavy, Broughton Old Jock, Scotch du Silly, Gordon Highland Scotch Ale, Founders Dirty Bastard

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