Bagpiper's Scottish Ale
Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.

Bagpiper's Scottish AleBagpiper's Scottish Ale
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From:
Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.
 
New Hampshire, United States
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
ABV:
9%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.77 | pDev: 12.47%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
28
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 26, 2012
Added:
Dec 14, 2007
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by SFLpunk:
Photo of SFLpunk
Reviewed by SFLpunk from Vermont

3.54/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
1 liter brown glass swing top. Dated 2008.

Appearance: A thick, rich pour with head that's slow to come out, but builds to 1.5 fingers high and is creamy tan. Head recedes at a moderate pace leaving spotting. A somewhat cloudy deep deep brown.

Nose: Kind of muted. Some whispers of woodfire smoke, toasted oak, dried apples, and lots of malty aromas.

Palate: Rich and viscous, sweet up front. Lots of smoke, thick & creamy like smoke (not overdone though), toasted black malt, a little bitterness at the back. A moderate and drying finish.

Notes: Well made, but really rich and thick. A two-person or more kinda beer.
May 09, 2009
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by RobertColianni from Pennsylvania

Dec 26, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by t0rin0 from California

Dec 07, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by GrindFatherBob from New York

May 20, 2012
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2008 bottled. Big raisin aroma, of something stored for a long while. Opaque very dark brown, with a small white head, and followup lace. Diacetyl. A minimum of smoke, that builds as we work through the litre. Licorice dominates before, smoke and peat later.
Dec 29, 2009
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Another goodie I decided to crack open for TDay with the family, I swear I really brought some heavy hitters with me this time! Served cold and poured into a couple of pint glasses, this one was consumed on 11/26/2009,

The pour was fantastic/ Deep dark brown in color with a towering head of tan that went right up the sides of the glass, thoroughly coating everything around it in a deep and thick layer of sudsy foam. Settling down with a nice bit of lacing it left behind, I went in to get a whiff. Earthy with loads of peat like notes, hints of caramel and a very nice touch of rich, grassy hops. Warming brought out a nice touch of almost butterscotch like tones as well. One of the fullest scotch ales I have had, really just a wonderful feel on this one, rich and very even carbonation gave way to a smooth, and creamy feel that was simply divine. Rich notes of caramel, grassy hops and a light touch of booze capped it off nicely leaving a long and smooth finish that had a light taste of vanilla to it.

Overall I thought this was very well done. Easily one of my favorite styles and this was done beyond right. I would have no issue at all with calling this one a staple.
Nov 28, 2009
Photo of TheManiacalOne
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

3.47/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2008 release poured from a 1-Liter swing-top bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark reddish brown color, with a thin off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, lightly roasted malts, dark fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste is very sweet with flavors of caramel, vanilla, brown sugar and dark fruit. There's a little bit of smokiness in the background as well. The malt character is hearty but not as heavy as you would expect for a beer this sweet. The hops presence is very mild. The after-taste is likewise quite sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, light carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, slightly filling, good kick, decent representation of style, it's a decent beer and is probably better fresh. There are several others in the style that I'd pick first.
Nov 19, 2009
Photo of lordofthewiens
Reviewed by lordofthewiens from New Mexico

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A one liter swing top poured into a snifter. Very pretty beer: dark brown with red highlights. Moderate tan head, and just a little bit of lacing. Nice roasted malt aroma, a little bit of smokiness, a bit of spice. Good malt presence in the taste, cinnamon and clove, even a little pepper. Full-bodied and very enjoyable.
Oct 07, 2009
Photo of everetends
Reviewed by everetends from Alabama

3.88/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got this 1 liter bottle in an LIF I won from YonderWander. Been sitting on this bottle for far too long, mostly because of the sheer size of the bottle. A liter can be a bit daunting at times. Tonight felt like a good night to make it happen, so what the hell. Served up in a standard pint glass.

A: Pours a very nice and dark brown that has really nice red tint to it. Held to the light, you see a slightly lighter mahogonay. You can see through the body. The head is a light tan color, and got a perfect finger off the pour. Not any lace actually, but I think that is mostly because this beer throws up a film on the glass wherever that liquid goes. So due to that, it causes all foam to slide back in. Not bad looking at all.

S: Smell is very interesting. There is actually a good amount of Scotch like aroma coming out here. A very nice spicy peat aroma. Then you get all that malt that has a nice roast on it. This beer has a decent smokiness to it as well. The turn off for me is a bit of an earthy and manufactured smell that actually smells like dry dog food. Kinda wierd and I really don't know how I feel about it.

T: Really nice and accessible Scotch-like flavors here. Getting that slight spicy and boozy peat. Then that malt is slightly chocolately and semi sweet with a good amount of roast on it. That smoke comes across lightly and blends well with all that Scotch whiskey flavor. With that said, this isn't overpowering at all. It has a slight heat to it, but its a smooth flavor. Very nice.

M: Full bodied and creamy. Carbonation is LOW, but tht seems pretty damned necessary because it works. Nice, smooth and creamy. The ABV is pretty mellow but that is probably because this bottle has some age on it. Aftertaste is mostly just some of those scotch flavors.

D: Not bad at all. I think that this beer may have mellowed with age because the ABV is pretty subdued for 9%. Drinks well and has some big flavor that is damned pleasing. The aroma is really the only turn off here with that off smell. Could use some work in appearance and aroma but whatever, thats nitpicky. Works well and is an enjoyable drink. Glad I got the chance to give this a go.
Jun 12, 2009
Photo of sethmeister
Reviewed by sethmeister from New Hampshire

4.3/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
1 liter swingtop with blue "2008" shrinkwrap around the top.

Pours a dark oaky brown which is clear red when held to the light. Voluminous cakelike tan head holds great staying power and leaves a beit of lace as it slowly slides down the wall of my pint glass.

Scent is fresh bread, apples and woodsmoke along with a nice rich whisky note.

Flavor is soft and smooth. Apples and applewood smoke. Roaring fireplaces in late fall. Toasted grains. Molasses on sweet warm fresh bread and a touch of good scotch whisky. Toffee. A hint of hop bitterness peeks out at the end. Something about this beer absolutely makes me think of sitting in front of a woodstove on a late New England Fall afternoon.

Mouth is soft and voluptuous. Feels thicker than it really is.

Good god this is disturbingly easy to imbibe. Is it really 9% ABV? The alcohol heat is undetectible.

As with all Pennichuck products this seems to be right up my alley. Delicious beer, guys.
May 17, 2009
Photo of GratefulBeerGuy
Reviewed by GratefulBeerGuy from New Hampshire

3.72/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
1 liter bottle w/ swingtop and blue '2008' foil around the top.

This one is a rich, deep amber color with bright red hues in the middle. Looks like a barleywine in color and also deliver's a lively, but thick, milkshake-like head, slow retention, very sticky lacing. Carboantion is obvious and adequate.

The aroma is very nice, Toffee and butterscotch malt sweetness right off, maybe too much. Metallic-roastie herbs over sweet bread. Soft, sweet bread, cedar wood and musty summer wheat. Big, dark fruit aroma's pop out later on.

The sweet, butterscotch soaked bread also dominates the flavor, then comes a grain-alcohol and whiskey effect, not hot, very mellow and does not deliver a warming effect, only the flavor. This is not hefty or full feeling, it's actually kinda thin bodied. The thick, tan coored head does add a nice smooth finish. subtle smokey malt and a handful of mixed nuts is a nice touch, I guess that comes from the smoking over local Applewood; and it makes it just that much more complex. I have had much more complex Wee Heavies though...Smuttynose's big beer version pops into mind. The feel could be fuller and more hefty for this style, the malt is a bit thin in the middle, but still very clean.

As my Fiance' put it: "Makes me wanna play the Bagpipe's!"
Mar 25, 2009
Photo of GJ40
Reviewed by GJ40 from North Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - A deep brown ale with a reddish tinge that allows some light to pass through. Seems clear but too dark to tell. A small beige head.

S - Sweet molasses.

T - A nice, sweet malty flavor with peat and an earthy, biscuity quality. Good but not as sharp or complex as it should be. The 9% alcohol is very well hidden.

M - Thick but not chewy. Nice low carbonation.

D - A very nice beer. Smooth and strong but easy to drink.
Feb 14, 2009
Photo of MrHurmateeowish
Reviewed by MrHurmateeowish from Maine

4.55/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
One litre swing-top bottle obtained at the Liquor Shop in Tyngsborro, Mass. Pours a translucent dark brown body with ruby-red highlights and a thin film of light tan head. Caramel, toffee make up the aroma with hints of peat and smoke. Rich caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, coffee with hints of peat and smoke compose the flavor. Dates and nuts also make very subtle appearances. Rich full body with ample carbonation. A sweet pleasant combination of flavors and very drinkable for the complexity and full-bodiedness. Another sweet treat from what's fast becoming one of my favorite somewhat local breweries. Another slam-dunk from Pennechuck - well worth the cost!
Feb 08, 2009
Photo of Vancer
Reviewed by Vancer from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Gotta have a big beer for a big football day, here we go:

Deep mahogany brown with a fine tan head for such a high gravity brew.

Tons of sweet and spicy caramel malts in the aroma. Quaff has a burnt toast and peat notes, hints of dark chocolate, molasses and cherry. Whata load of tastes, this is one fine scotch ale.

Drinks like a dream, no way this is 9 degrees of alcohol heaven. This liter bomber is gonna be a great day.

I marked "Yonder" on the bottle, but can't figure out who sent it. Sorry, but many thanks!!!
Jan 18, 2009
Photo of WesWes
Reviewed by WesWes from New York

3.8/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a dark brown color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a sweet, burnt toffee and roasted malt scent along with a slight peated aroma. The taste is good as well. It has a rich, burnt toffee flavor that goes down silky smooth and finishes warm with some smokey notes. It does have a bit of charred flavor. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking beer. It's full flavored, balanced and easy drinking even at 9%.
Jan 10, 2009
Photo of kevd193213
Reviewed by kevd193213 from Rhode Island

3.92/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
750 mL bottle. Dark amber, cloudy pour that has a medium, frothy light tan head. Aroma of smoked malt, toffee, peat and some faint unidentifiable barnyard scents. Medium to thick body with nice mouthfeel. Taste of malt and smoke with a slightly bitter finish. Great bargain beer if you are looking for a domestic scotch ale in the US
Jan 10, 2009
Photo of Brad007
Reviewed by Brad007 from Vermont

4.83/5  rDev +28.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Pours a dark reddish-brown color with a thin one-finger head into my glass.

Aroma is full of dark fruit, alcohol and strong peat in the nose.

Taste is chewy and full of smoky peat and caramel flavors upfront. Peat stands out the most.

Mouthfeel is full of smoky peat and it's quite chewy. Alcohol is well-hidden and you can't really tell that it's in the actual beer.

Smooth and drinkable, this scotch ale is a delight to partake in. It's regional, well-done and a lot fresher than some scotch ales that I've had. Pennichuck knows how to flavorful beers and this is no exception.
Jan 03, 2009
Photo of Bierguy5
Reviewed by Bierguy5 from Ohio

3.3/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
1 Liter bottle, with a nice swingtop. Pours a chestnut color. White fluffy head disappears fairly quickly, leaving no lace.

A bit of toffee, caramel and smoke in the nose. Nothing else, and faint at that.

Some caramel and toffee up front. A decent amount of sweetness. Nothin much in the middle, then fades into an odd earthy finish. Not muc hop presence.

Seems a bit thin. Easy to drink, but really lacks depth. To me, a scottish or wee heavy should have a really strong malt backbone, but this one lacks that.
Nov 09, 2008
Photo of kirok1999
Reviewed by kirok1999 from Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
I liked this better than mcallister who provided the bottle.
Poured a dark brown with an off white head and wispy lacing.
Smelled very mild, sweet and malty with just a hint of hops.
Dark and mildly sweet. Somewhat of a weird, dry herbal finish. Some crisp wood and slightly oxidized taste.
Smooth and creamy with very low carbonation but the somewhat bland nature makes it not so drinkable.
Nov 08, 2008
Photo of mcallister
Reviewed by mcallister from Ohio

2.49/5  rDev -34%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Classic appearance from a wee heavy. Deep chesnut reddish in appearance. Minute off white head leaving a rain laden sidewalk.

Boring aromas. Tea, hints of peat malt and odd off herbacious aromas.

Peat, hints of smoke, a bit of meat, caramel, with a very offsetting wet cardboard herbacious flavor on the finish. Odd indeed.
Nov 06, 2008
Bagpiper's Scottish Ale from Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 28 ratings