90 Rating: Cold Smoke® Scotch Ale by KettleHouse Brewing Co.

Scottish Export | Year-Round | United States

By Tracy Hensley

Judges Rating: 90
Aroma: 19
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 38
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 18

This is a sessionable example of a Scottish Export (2015 Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Category 14C), with uncharacteristic but enjoyable burnt, smoky, and roasted aroma notes. Overall, it is an easy to drink ale with a pleasant malt-forward character not weighted down by too much body.
Cold Smoke Scotch Ale has moderate aromas of frothy chocolate milk, burnt white bread crust, campfire smokiness, and roasted walnut bread.  The beer is a clear dark brown color with garnet highlights, with a low creamy light tan head.
The flavors are less complex but appropriate for the style, with moderate brown whole grain bread malt at the start and clean, crisp light vanilla pith in the finish.  The low alcohol warms pleasantly and melds with the low supporting hop bitterness and a slightly watery body.