Highlander 80/- - Middle Ages Brewing Co., Ltd.

SLeffler27

New York

3.38/5  rDev -12%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

There is little or no head over this hazy, dark, wet hay beer. This pint glass collects little to no lacing.

Highlander 80 smells of dusty butterscotch and some toffee with a touch of orange citrus.

Very light sweetness of white bread and over-ripe melon with some, but barely any, bitterness. The finish is long and building with light bitterness.

Smooth, with a light to medium body, this is a dry beer with only a hint of carbonation.

Highlander 80 is a thirst quencher and a respectable beer, worthy of trying. However, with so many other options, I'll leave this one in the past.

My first cask ale experience was interesting; however, I will have to try other examples to better understand the draw of this serving type. Hopefully this was either a tired beer, or simply a poor example. In my opinion, this more closely resembled an ESB than a Scottish Ale.

Serving type: cask

02-09-2009 21:23:12 | More by SLeffler27

williamherbert

New York

4.43/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Relatively clear looking light brown but with a dark, deep opaque cylinder of thickness in the middle part of the glass. Big heavy head with a light brown tinge. Looks stagnant -- in a good way. Lace sticks right to the glass.

The smell is a pungent, alcohol heavy Scottish ale aroma. Thick malty scent of a porter, but with none of the usual coffee. Minor hosp. Roasted, thick malt aroma. Sweet caramel accent.

The taste is thick, roasted Scottish malt. Some sweetness, like caramel. Has a tangy punch. The ringwood yeast is a terrific compliment and emerges more as it warms up. The burnt malt and sweet caramel candy are great together.

Feels thick like motor oil. Very smooth. No fizzy bubbles that come with some Scottish ales. Leaves a sweet film on the tongue. It's one of my favorite Scottish ales. Balanced and unusually smooth.

Serving type: growler

11-03-2007 21:37:44 | More by williamherbert

BeerTruth

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought a growler at the brewery.

Poured into a nonic.

Pours a rich ruby brown with a nice khaki colored two finger head that slowly dies down to a thin layer that lasts throughout. Lacing is great, holds on all over. Smell is that wonderful Middle Ages ringwood yeast with a sweet caramel malt and a tiny bit of a citrusy hop in the nose as well. Very powerful which seems to be a staple for all of MA beers. Taste is a wonderful sweet nutty malt with a good amount of caramel flavors. Ringwood actually isn't as powerful as I thought it would be on the tongue. Creamy woody notes seem to be present as well. Smooth and thick medium bodied with a mild carbonation bite. I was very surprised with this beer, good work Middle Ages. Maybe bottle this one?

Serving type: growler

10-05-2007 00:42:49 | More by BeerTruth

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On cask at the Pzza Plant on Main,poured a rich deep copper/amber with a creamy well formed tannish colored head atop.Mild fruity aromas with a touch of brown sugar and smokiness,oh so drinkable very smooth on the engine and enough flavor to warrant a hight drinkability rating,somewhat fruity and lighty sweet just great balance and a lingering smoky finish just makes you want more.A quaffable easy drinking flavorful lighter Scottish ale great on the hand pump.

Serving type: cask

12-01-2006 03:25:23 | More by oberon

orfeu

New Mexico

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep hazy brown, with a creamy, dense, parchment-colored head. Decent lacing. Sweet caramel malt scent, with accents of melon, berries, and peat. Light body (lighter than expected, at least). Caramel apple sweet/tart combo flavor. Malty for sure, but far from cloying. Vinous berry fruits and subtle roastiness lead to a satisfying and unexpected bready malt finish. Slight peat smoke in the aftertaste. Very slight, almost completely unnoticeable leafy hop flavor in the burps. Smooth, with low carbonation. In all, a very good cask mouthfeel. Great session ale for those who want classic, traditional, full-flavored ale without any hoppiness. For me, very reminiscent of Middle Ages Duke of Winship without the porter aspects.

Serving type: cask

10-26-2006 22:13:21 | More by orfeu

CBFanWish

New York

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

An interesting, mildly complex scottish ale that has the capability to warn the soul.
Pours a dark mahogony-cherry colour with a thick frothy white head. Lace spiderwebs around the glass.
The aroma is that of cherries, chocolate and the slightest raison scent. The taste almost mirrors the smell perfectly. Strong chocolate covered cherry feel.
A nice beer to enjoy once in a while. Too much for a session beer.

Serving type: cask

03-12-2005 16:28:37 | More by CBFanWish

HappyHourHero

Indiana

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler from the brewery:

Thick, foamy, light brown colored head leaves lots of stringy lace. Dark, transparent, mahogany colored beer with a caramel hue. Mild caramel malt and butterscotch aroma. Flavor is solidly on the malt side and moderately sweet. Caramel malt again and a bid dose of butterscotch. There's a barely bitter, hop tea flavor underneath. Soft mouthfeel on this moderately thick bodied beer. Easy drinking, malty beer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2005 03:45:54 | More by HappyHourHero

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark, muddy brown with a small head of light beige foam. The aroma is quite awesome and it consists of roasted malts, caramel, a bit of somke (peat), a bit of chocolate, and some nicely subtle hops. The taste is very rich, sweet, and malty up front with a nice buttery biscuit flavor in the middle and a slightly sweet finish of caramel notes. The mouthfeel is medium bodied>thick and the drinkability, like all MA beers it seems, is great.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2004 22:46:53 | More by francisweizen

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Darker color. Not most impressive nor richest in line. A Mild scotch, more like a brown without the nuttiness. Bit of smoke and roastiness. Faint flavours of fruit. Bitter aftertaste. Not for everyone, maybe for scotch drinkers to transition, but easy scotch drink.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2004 16:57:37 | More by northyorksammy

GreatPondBrewer

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another quality offering from MA. Poured a most interesting color as it was a brown infused ruby that was bright, but cloudy at the same time. Smell was almost ESB like with the raisins and estery sweetness, but the taste had a much more smokey flavor that had some almost salty or teriyaki like notes. Not all that bad, but a little strange for the beer. The mouthfeel was perfect, as all cask ales seem to be. Middle Ages does a good job and this beer is no different. I would say make the taste a little more distinct as it seemed it wasn't quite sure whether this was an ESB or a Scottish Ale.

Serving type: cask

02-21-2004 22:35:18 | More by GreatPondBrewer

Hefe

Maryland

3.73/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted on 11/8 at the Middle Ages Brewery

Appearance: Dark and Tawny with a lightly tan, sticky, 1/4" head

Smell: Aroma of roasted malts with plummy and hoppy overtones

Taste: Roasted malts, with slight raisiny touches. And a definite hop bite

Mouthfeel: Smooth, with a medium bodied feel

Drinkability: Heavy enough to slow down my pace, but not too much.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2003 18:28:26 | More by Hefe

WesWes

New York

4.28/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The beer pours a clear dark burgandy with a fluffy off-white head. The nose is of Ringwood yeast, crystal, and roasted malts. The taste is awesome. Malty character all over. It starts sweet with the taste of pale and crystal malts mixed followed by a toasty finish. Their beers are extremely smooth. The mouthfeel is outstanding. For a dark malty beer, the body is fairly light and highly drinkable. Another "draft only" brew you wished were available in bottles on a more regular basis.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2003 17:16:14 | More by WesWes