Dark Horse Scotty Karate Scotch Ale - Dark Horse Brewing Company

pjkelley82

New York

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I had the privilege of tasting this next to innis & Gunn as well as founders dirty bastard. My friend prefered this one over the 3. Mainly for the reasons I liked it over the founders one which was more mouth to it and a little more bite. To me the founders was a little sweeter which i liked. I prefer innis and gunn over all of them but thats me... this is probably the 5th or 6th wee heavy I tried and it's easily number 2... I wouldn't skip over this one if you like the style...

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 07:51:35 | More by pjkelley82

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Another bottled beer courtesy of my local, in-person trader, tone77. Cool stuff!

From the bottle: "Guest Artist Series #1 James Mestamaker Austin Texas".

I have no idea how the label relates to the idea of a Scotch Ale, but I totally dig the wigged-out one-man band that it depicts. Perhaps that is how they anticipate one will feel after a bottle of this beer. We shall see. Holy hot, Batman! I got a good whiff of booze in pouring this one into my glass. I got a brief appearance of (maybe) a finger of deep-tan head that quickly fell to swirling wisps. Color was a slightly hazy cola-brown. Nose smelled of dried, dark fruit(s), leather, lemon zest and al-kee-haul. Whee! Mouthfeel was medium with an initial alcohol heat followed by notes of toffee, leather, dried fruit, and brown sugar. Finish was semi-dry with the alcohol heat accounting for this in the face of all of the sugary flavors involved. This really packed a wallop, even for me. I would recommend that you at least try it once and if you are a fan of the style (which I am not), you will be head over heels for it.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 04:29:31 | More by woodychandler

Greywulfken

New York

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: deep brown body under a finger of tan foam in an over-sized snifter; filmy cap persisted for the most part; sparse brief lace motes

S: deep, rich, thick, dark malty smells, fruit-like; caramel toffee sweetness aromas

T: crisper than the nosee; intimations of peat smoke and boozy fruit. Made me think of rye spiciness at times. Sweetened with warming, softening edges.

M: a little shaper than I'd expected early on, but still in line with the taste; slight filmy coating; slight astringence while cooler; bittering, then smoothing finish

O: a rugged take on the wee heavy, not as syrupy as some, with more bite than others.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 00:09:28 | More by Greywulfken

ChrisKayler

Virginia

3.76/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Glass: Duvel Tulip

Appearance: Half a finger of head which dissipated within about a minute, produced from a fairly aggressive pour. A slight rim of foam remains around the edges of the glass, maybe from the Duvel tulip's nucleation point. Color is brown bordering on dark red. Sediment is easily visible in the bottom of the glass. Fairly hazy.

Smell: Caramel, dark fruits, malty. Smells great!

Taste: Dark fruits mostly, not getting too much of that malty caramel sweetness that smelled so great. Bit of alcohol flavor as well.

Mouthfeel: A pretty thin body, with low carbonation. Not a whole lot going on here. Alcohol warms as it goes down the throat, which can be nice but is not a great thing in this case.

Overall: A great smelling beer that is very much let down by the taste and mouthfeel. The taste is not actually bad, it's just that there isn't too much there. If the alcohol % was lower, maybe that would be okay, but combined with the alcohol warming, not to mention alcohol taste, there just isn't enough flavor there for me. Overall, a decent beer that is not bad by any means, but I won't be purchasing it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 03:00:29 | More by ChrisKayler

mscudder

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter.

A - Murky milk-chocolate hue with a fair ivory head. Fair retention and lacing.

S - Rich caramel sweetness here, more than I have personally encountered. Bit of bread and dried fruit.

T - Thick caramel sweetness, booze is covered and finished with large bready notes.

M - Viscous body with low carbonation.

O - A unique brew that is quite different from what I have experienced in the style. Almost tastes as if they mixed a thick caramel syrup with a low ABV scotch ale... That said, it is certainly a tasty experience.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:21:39 | More by mscudder

metter98

New York

3.91/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is very hazy brownish red in color and has a light amount of carbonation. It poured with a thin light tan head that quickly died down, leaving some lacing on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of dark fruits and sweet malts are present in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but isn't as sweet and has complex flavors of dark fruits, raisins, tea and toffee. Although no bitterness is detectable, there's enough hops to prevent this from being sticky and sweet.
M: It feels nearly medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The complex flavors in this beer make it a nice one to sip but it is rather easy to drink because the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 03:00:59 | More by metter98

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a dirty brown with a 1 finger tan head. Big swaths and trails of lacing.

S- toffee, caramel, candy apple, smoke

T- toffee, smoke, light dark fruits, some spice.

M- medium body and carbonation. Syrupy and finishes dry.

O- very nice scotch ale. Like how the toffee and smoke meld.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:05:54 | More by kawilliams81

alphaacid9000

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very dark red-brown with a tight tan head. Extreme lacing and this beautiful liquid diminishes.

Aroma is full of malt,dark fruits and alcohol

Very full bodied with heavy sweetness while still remaining very drinkable. Notes of burnt malt, raisins, cherries, brown sugar, honey and alcohol.

Fantastic beer. This is an underrated beer for its style. Big flavor in a relatively small price point.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:14:42 | More by alphaacid9000

smalenberg

Michigan

3.96/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle to tulip

A - Chocolate brown with slight amber highlights in strong light. Nearly half inch of tan foam.

S - Big caramel malty sweetness with some fruity esters (strawberry/raspberry).

T - Rich mix of caramel malt with dark fruit and a slight bitterness for balance that is more likely from the malt than the hops since it is very mildly (and not unpleasantly) tannic in nature.

M - Medium bodied, significant carbonation that hides the alcohol. No heat or warmth to suggest that the ABV is nearly double digit.

O - Great example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 00:50:11 | More by smalenberg

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.44/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy dark brown color. The head is a one finger offwhite shade with a soft-looking creaminess to it. Retention is decent given the strength, and there's a bit of lacing left behind, too.

S: Big caramel here unsurprisingly. There's also an impressive dark fruit note here that I find enticing. Other notes of brown sugar, molasses, and toffee abound.

T: Strong tones of caramel, toffee, and brown sugar open the flavor profile up, with light smokiness and plum-like sweetness building up on the finish. The big problem isn't what's here...it's what isn't here. While most certainly well made, it lacks in interesting qualities that could have made it great; nor is it particularly complex. The alcohol is hidden superbly, though.

M: Relatively thick, rich, and sweet on the palate, appropriately for the style. Carbonation is only prevalent when allowed to focus on the tongue.

O: It's pretty good, yeah, but it's missing something - such as the vague stout-like qualities of Old Chub or the drinkable complexity of Dirty Bastard. As such, it's hard to recommend over those two.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 21:54:34 | More by ThisWangsChung

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

3.76/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz. bottle poured into a Kuhnhenn goblet. Bottled on July 21, 2012.

A - Pours a murky dirt brown color. Very little head, apart from the off-white collar circling the rim. Some cocoa powder sediment rests at the bottom of the glass. Speckled lacing paints the glass after the fact.

S - Toffee, molasses, and earthy malts on the forefront. A little bit of charred peat and grape-like sweetness. Fruity with a slightly boozey character.

T - Saltwater taffee hits the tongue first followed by a barrage of bitter blackstrap molasses and dark fruits. Caramel and charred wood on the finish. Slightly piney linger.

M - Quite dry for a beer with this much malt. The booze isn't overwhelming but it is recognizable.

O - Not my favorite take on the style. I will admit that it probably loses points because I don't particularly like Scoth Ales. Strong earthy peat notes along with caramel and molasses give this beer a rich flavor. It comes a bit unglued on the finish, but some may enjoy that sweet and smoky combination. Not bad, but not one I will seek out.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:28:53 | More by NoLeafClover44

sjones5045

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a copper brown that you'd expect to see from a scotch ale, with minimal with head that fades quickly.

The smell hits you with a dried fruit with almost a sweet malty nose.

The feel is decent. Not too heavy like many scotch ales but maybe a slight bit thin but enjoyable.

The taste is really what matters on this and it's terrific. Hits with some fruit up front but continues to introduce a sweet malt taste late. Phenominal aftertaste and pretty smooth. A little thin but not bad as I mentioned before.

Overall, very nice scotch ale. Definitely drinkable and to be fair scotch ales aren't high on my list of favorites so this may rate even higher for those that truly enjoy this class of beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 21:12:08 | More by sjones5045

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a murky crimson brown with slow moving bubbles coming up the side of the glass.

Smell: Caramel, toffee, butterscotch, tobacco, fruity, bready, earl grey tea, and some chocolate.

Taste: Same above with a little booze and tingling bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, full bodied, medium carbonation, and boozy.

Overall: A good scotch ale. You can't even notice the booze that much.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 17:15:25 | More by Flounder57

farrago

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A strong pour gets you enough agitation to cover the surface, deep brown, fades swiftly to a gathering around the rims, close to zero lacing. The liquid is a murky orange rust to reddish brown mud, lots of particulate floating around, barely lightens to yellow at the outer reaches. The nose evokes a bakery full of German chocolate cake, caramel covered pastries and butterscotch, nice for the amplitude of the scents without heavy clinging in the nostrils, spreads further into hazelnut coffee, cola and some poached apricot fruit, not that alcoholic, minimal hops presence. Medium to full-bodied, slight fizz during the mouth entry but the carbonation overall is lacking. Smokier here with tar, sauna stone and scorched camp fire earth notes, delays the entrance of the chocolate, toffee, butterscotch and honey, more yeast and bread dough. Past the mid-palate dries out, this before the apricot, peach, golden raisin and orange citrus really take hold. As in the nose hides its ABV well. Could use something to stiffen it and create more energy in lieu of carbonation. Otherwise, it comes across as a traditional rendition of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 23:42:16 | More by farrago

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.01/5  rDev -25.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle. no bottled on date.

A: dark, murky. looks like an old pot of coffee. head is non-existent. literally, has a ring of foam around the edge and that is it.

S: a lot of chocolate. almost milk chocolate in its aroma. a little bit of toffee. there are also wisps of heather in there, but they are minor. chocolate is definitely at the forefront here.

T: similar to the nose, the first thing I think is lots of chocolate malt. the alcohol is completely masked, cant even remotely tell this brew is close to 10% abv. however, drinks more like an English stout than a wee heavy. finding this flavor a bit one-note.

M: mild carb on a medium/full body.

D: read my taste statement. pretty much sums up my feelings on this brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 03:45:39 | More by Jimmys

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is bready, some molasses.Taste is malts, bready, some alcohol, a bit sweet, some dark fruits. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a different and solid beer, worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 01:17:30 | More by tone77

Klimm

Wisconsin

4.54/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured on tap in a long stem red wine glasss

A - Dark brown with reddish undertones. Nice frothy head that fades quickly.

S - Malty, Smoky, bready, caramel. It reminds me of a aged smoked cheddar.

T - Caramely goodness. Mostly sweet malt with a hint of bitterness at the end. Aftertaste left in my mouth is that great smoked cheddar again.

M - Thick, good carbonation. I found myself sipping it along with burger (might have been because it was in a wine glass and tricked me).

O - Tasty scotch ale. Dangerously drinkable. It's different enough from othe scotch ales that I will definitely seek it out again!

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2013 03:28:44 | More by Klimm

minterro

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Got a free bottle from work because of a labeling problem, then I realized I've never rated this beer before!

A&S: Dirty brown with a tint of orange. Tan fizzy foamy head that doesn't offer much even when poured vigorously. Head retention is low. Smell was almost absent at first but gained a usually bready boozyness to it after some time to warm. Other scents include butterscotch and caramel.

T&M: Very well balanced carmel and bready tones. Get velvety texture could use some more thickness. Very Drinkable with an unbelievably well hidden abv.

Overall: Solid beer overall and for the price not a bad example of a scotch ale. I wouldn't put it above the dirty bastard as far as MI scotch ales are considered.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 05:40:17 | More by minterro

yamar68

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Another one thanks to alelover - not sure of the bottle date on this one:

Swampy brown body with a bit of ruby clarity mixed in there. A finger thick khaki head dissipates to form a nice collar within seconds. Constant beading right beneath that, from start to finish.

Lots of earthy peat and molasses... caramel and vanilla. Some nutty bits beneath all of that.

It's rather empty on the front end but gives way to waves of dessert sugars, licorice, peat moss, booze and chalky vanilla.

I'm not typically a scotch ale guy but I can dig this one. I'd love to see it spend some time in a barrel of some kind. Thanks Joel!

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 06:53:52 | More by yamar68

AmitC

Indiana

4.23/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Deep golden brown while pouring. Dark brown in color inside the glass. Half finger thick tan colored head that fades swiftly may be due to high alcohol strength. Strong ruby hues. Decent lacing that sticks well. Almost opaque. Some suspensions might be yeast. Thing ring on the sides.

Aroma is malt forward with a lot of caramel. Smells somewhat of smoke. Hides the alcohol really well. Low to non existent hops.

Taste is full of caramel and strong malt presence. Slight presence of roasted malts and some smokiness. Finish is semi dry with some inherent sweetness. May be some dry fruits or resins.

Mouth feel is medium to slightly full. Moderate carbonation. Good alcohol warmth. At almsot 10% this is very well balanced and well made brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 20:06:12 | More by AmitC

tdm168

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - dark brownish amber bordering on purple; soft, thin, white head that quickly fades

S - dark bread, some sugar, caramel, faint dark fruit, faint toffee

T - bread, caramel, peat, sugar, toffee, dark fruit and a mild bitterness in the finish

M - medium bodied, sticky, a bit crisp, a tad overcarbonated

This is a decent, very malty beer. I thought the malts were complex and had layers of flavor. Unfortunately, the crispness of the carbonation messed with my palate making the flavors seem fleeting. If you enjoy this style this is probably a beer that is worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:53:11 | More by tdm168

Arithmeticus

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured room temp in hotel glass

A: cola-brown; luscious head, creamy; large bubbles, good carbonation
S: beautiful malty aroma; dark roast malt; bread, figs, currant
T: classic scotch ale; well balanced, with biscuit, yeast, and bread; peat and moss strong elements; complex and sweet; balanced bitterness
M: thick, mealy

Oh boy, an outstanding scotch ale; save it for a closer

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 04:45:14 | More by Arithmeticus

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.96/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A Rich looking chestnut brown with 3 fingers of creamy caramel colored head.

S Smells of caramel, vanilla, charred oak barrels.

T Sweet caramel, alcohol, bread, but maintains a good smooth mouthfeel.

O Highly drinkable for this style and a definite must have.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 03:33:43 | More by andrewjraab

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.21/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Scotty Karate opens to a malty nose that bears instant resemblance to yeasty rising wheat dough, with strong touches of sugar and spice added to the mix. While the bready, doughy aromas are strong, there’s also a thickly sugary base, with molasses, brown sugar, vanilla, and a nice arrangement of fruit esters, including fig, black cherry, mandarin orange, berry, apricot, peach, and even touches of raisin. A peppery spice rims the edges, faint but present, set off by hints of peat and wood. Hops add a nice citrusy sweet grapefruit and rosewater layer. The sugariness of the brew is the most present aroma overall, however, oozing forth in sticky goodness, like mixed caramel and toffee poured over bread dough. As a whole, the nose is very nice, being alluring and enticing, and while the sugars are definitely front and center, there’s still enough bitterness and earthy notes to almost balance everything out. A slightly stronger bread presence would have been nice, but even without it, the aromas are very pleasant.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a simultaneously sweet and dark sugary rush, fruit esters such as cherry, orange, apricot, and berry mixing with touches of raisin and fig, and these in a larger pool of bitter molasses, pungent vanilla bean, and sweet caramel and toffee. The war here between dark and sweet sugary notes is lovely, and carried atop a mound of yeasty bread dough, toast crust, and biscuit. Shades of peat and wood add extra texture, joined by a biting peppery crust. The aftertaste is a continuation of the sugar war, with remnants of bread and wood. After a time in this aftertaste, the sugars die off, and the aftertaste takes on a distinctively woody feel, as if biting into pith after eating a toffee bar, and this latter sensation continues for a good while. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is good Scotch Ale, featuring a wide variety of nicely nuanced flavors. The sugars and breads are very nice in here, though the woody notes do take over a bit too much in the end and somewhat spoil the aftertaste. Still, it’s a decent addition to the style, and worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 20:15:23 | More by jondeelee

hoplover82

Texas

4.56/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A-Pours an unfiltered dark brown color with some copper notes with a small off white, fleeting head that leaves only spotty lacing.
S-Just by the first sniff, I can tell this beer is very aromatic and flavorful. Huge malty, sweet caramel with dark fruits. Very fruity indeed, with figs and dates and candied sugar. This beer needs no time to warm up, the aroma is pungent out the gate. The aroma reminds me of a good double bock. There is fresh pulled toffee candy notes hidden there as well. No "hot" alcohol detected.
T-The flavor is much of the same. Very sweet with dark fruits and caramel with a little bitterness to JUST keep it from being cloying. Plums and prunes and sweet summer stawberries. There also seems to be very faint notes of earthy hops in the flavor and the nose.
M-This has a huge, slick, and silky body with a balanced finish and mild carbonation.
O-I really like this beer and HIGHLY recommend this beer (especially to malty beer lovers) SO glad I got to try this, thanks to my friend in Minnasota! You are awesome Sarah-Jane!

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 04:00:30 | More by hoplover82