Belhaven Scottish Ale - Belhaven Brewery Company Ltd.

HighballurRollby

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I decided to try this out after having a long string of AAL's and wanting something different. When I looked at this beer on shelve I was suprised to see it in a clear bottle.

I enjoyed the carmel, and chocolate smell of this beer it reminded me of butterscotch. Its refereshing to have a beer like this every once in a while. I wouldn't drink a six pack of it though, too heavy with flavors.

The flavor to me is sweet with toffee and chocolate, similar to the smell I'm getting. It does have bitterness in it though, that is not to be ignored. This beer is full of flavors, I'm still trying to think of them all after finishing it. It reminds me of nuts, brown ale, toffee, dark chocolate, mild hop bitterness, caramel, and more. It's on the light end of medium bottied, which is interesting because usually a beer this flavorful is really full bodied. This increases its drinkability to a point in my opinion. Its easy for me to finish one of these, but too keep drinking them I think I'd get too overwhelmed with flavors. This was a fun beer, and I'd like to get another one sometime.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 06:01:27 | More by HighballurRollby

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a nice rich, clear toffee copper color. A light cream colored head dissipates to a thin film. Thin lacing. Aromas of toffee and malts are present. Nice flavors abound with a buttery flavor up front. Toffee, caramel, and malts abound. The beer has a nice sweet finish. Delicious. Very drinkable. The mouthfeel is medium bodied.

Overall, a great session beer. It tastes delicious and goes down very smooth. I was surprised at how good this was. A six pack could go down with ease.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 13:15:06 | More by JuicesFlowing

TheAlamoWrocker

Texas

2.23/5  rDev -41.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed December 15, 2011. Poured a nitro-can into a Pint glass.

A: I have no clue on where to say this head actually was, it did an amazing receding type move filling up the entire glass and them coming to. Where it actually stopped at was an a nice creamy thick white one fingered head . This carries an extremely clear amber appearance.

S: Those malts are pretty nice here. It also had a nice toffee aroma as well.

T: Toasty Malts are easily what come up first with some back of caramel.

M: The lasting head gives it an extremely creamy taste, but I know it's not true it's just that nitro-can's head. The thinness of the body is atrocious though.

O: I have no clue why this is rated so hghly when I've had Oktoberfest that have the same taste to it. The thinness is the true killer here because it feels like water and with it's taste this just isn't appealing.

Serving type: nitro-can

12-16-2011 17:32:29 | More by TheAlamoWrocker

kojevergas

California

2.38/5  rDev -37.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Clear glass (for feck's sake!) bottle with standard pressure cap served into a generic hefeweissbier glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. I really enjoyed this beer from the tap and can, so I'm excited to finally officially review it.

First off, as a general note the clear glass bottle is inexcusable. If there were a presentation category, I'd take huge points off here. No self-respecting brewer would allow this sort of irresponsible bottling. Leave this nonsense to Corona.

A: Pours a three finger head of decent cream, good thickness, and okay retention. I'm deeply disappointed that this doesn't live up to my memory of the creamy head of the canned version; perhaps it was a nitro can? Either way, I'm disappointed. The colour is an auburn/dark copper. I'm excited to try it.

Sm: The aroma is quite strong. Toasted malt and nutty hops are all I detect, however.

T: A toasted malt body with stale horribly handled cream and some strangely handled nutty hops. What a damned disappointment. Badly balanced and built. The stale cream needs to go. Why not nitro-bottle this shite, guys? Come on, now.

Mf: It's smooth, wet, stale, and creamy (but only properly creamy right on the finish). Not too thick. It doesn't complement the flavours of the body.

Dr: I'll have to review this from the can, because I remember being dazzled by the head. This was a huge disappointment. It's drinkable, but I'd never buy it again - at least not the bottled form.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 05:51:49 | More by kojevergas

kickapoodude

Alaska

4.43/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is like the film "Jurrasic Park": when it was in the theaters, all of your freinds told you about how freaking awesome it was. You passed it up a few times in exchange for some classics, but finally the acclaim became to much for you and you finally saw it, knowing full well that there was no way that the film could live up to the expectations that you have hoisted upon it.

This is a great beer. Smooth and nutty. Truly beautiful and complex. Let her warm up a bit and she'll give you a nice little buzz as thanks. This beer won't change the world, but you will enjoy the hell out of it. Especailly in the scene where the lawyer gets eaten by the t-rex while sitting on the crapper.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 21:05:56 | More by kickapoodude

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.45/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap and served in a 20oz vase, the beer is a deep, clear, dark auburn-copper color with a thick, solid, one inch, creamy white head. Light malt and caramel aromas, effervescent and enticing. The flavors are light on a creamy , smooth body. Malty rich caramel and slight alcohol, with a roasty undertone. Nutty and sweet malt aftertaste, with a slow, slick finish. Tasty, but gets heavy after a while of drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 06:50:51 | More by GarthDanielson

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.22/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Belhaven Scottish Ale has a thick, creamy, beige head and a hazy, copper appearance. A good amount of thick lacing is left down the glass. The aroma is of sweet, medium-roasted barley malt, over-ripe fruit, and maybe tea. Taste is of French-roast coffee, barley malt, apricot, other very ripe fruit, nuts, and a decently bold hop bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium, and Belhaven Scottish Ale finishes wet and full. Overall, this is very good.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 22:34:57 | More by RonaldTheriot

dansmcd

Australia

4.15/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A - This is a pint with movie star looks. Give it a few seconds after pouring to settle, and admire the perfectly defined two fingers of melted ice cream like head; the copper cloured body, and the even sheets of lace the coat the glass as you enjoy this beer.

S - All malt. Toffee, caramel and molasses.

T - The sweet malt aromas are realised here with some mild hop bitterness. Caramel, toffee, grain, smoke.

M - So beautifully thick and creamy on top and then thinner once you penetrate through the top layer. A softly sweet mouthful. Perfection.

O - I love this beer. Extremely sessionable. A pleasing aroma and delicious yet mild flavours. Incredible feel and fantastic looks. Im still searching for that beautifully thick and creamy British beer that isn't quite so mild however.

Serving type: nitro-can

10-26-2011 23:36:22 | More by dansmcd

Craibcr

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Found this at the local beer store and had never seen it before so I got it of course.

A: Pours reddish brown. Has a nice head to it though it goes from a large head to a smaller heavier head fairly quickly.

S: A little smokey and earthy.

T: Tastes a little earthy as well, though certainly not in a bad way. The taste is very moderate and enjoyable. Something that I could have a decent amount of and not get sick of it at all.

M: Low to medium carbonation, and it works perfectly with it. Very crisp and refreshing.

O: I was a big fan of it. I'm not sure how much it costs, but I could definitely see myself getting a six of this if I could find it for a nice Autumn day. It is one of the better fall beers that I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 20:56:32 | More by Craibcr

adam42381

Florida

3.93/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes at World of Beer - Fort Myers on 10/12/11.

Poured on from a nitro tap into an Imperial pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear dark caramel with golden highlights and a 1 finger creamy white nitro-style head. Excellent lacing.

Smell: Earthy English hops with grassy notes and sweet malt.

Taste: English hops with a mild, light sweetness up front followed by grainy malt in the middle before ending with a mildly bitter finish. Bittersweet aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and creamy with a good amount of carbonation.

Drinkability: High drinkability. You could knock back a few of these without any trouble.

Overall: Good beer overall. Definitely worth giving a try on nitro.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-22-2011 16:22:37 | More by adam42381

Murrhey

Montana

4.3/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pint bottle poured into Pilsner glass. 10-19-11

A: Domed, beige head, poured on thick, about three finger width. Mahoganey brown, clear with light carbonation.

S: Malty, with some toasted nut kind of smell? Sort of smoky, giving is a darker aroma.

T: Definite nuttiness, toasted almond sort of flavor. Would be great with smoky cheese or nuts. Delicious smooth and creamy flavor. Top notch.

M: Feels a bit syrupy, but in a light way. That probably makes no sense, but it isn't bad.

O: Great beer, I love Scottish Ales and this does nothing to change that.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 06:13:59 | More by Murrhey

Vashtar

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The appearance is saturated but isn't totally clear.

The smell is skunky. I don't like it. However, beyond the skunkyness, there is a nice maltiness, so I'm not counting much off.

The taste is better than average. It's also really malty and just strong enough.

The mouthfeel is thick. It's not slimey, though.

I probably wouldn't buy a six pack for my friends. It's pretty strong, but might be a bit much for the average drinker.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 04:57:30 | More by Vashtar

ksimons

New York

3.28/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-a clear dark amber with a thin layer of white head

S-smell takes some time to figure out, mostly just malt and metallic smelling

T-light roasted malts, light fruitiness, and caramel

M-light to medium body, refreshing

Overall very easy to drink, but doesn't really give much in the way of taste or complexity. This tasting was also out of a bottle and not on nitro which could have something to do with the lack of taste.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 21:47:57 | More by ksimons

opalchemist

United Arab Emirates

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a glass from a bottle - short-lived white head.

Nose: some sour grain with some floral hops undertones.

Tongue: inoffensive - a bit fruity, sour-bread-dough, refreshing with caramel'y bitterness coming as afterthought.

Texture: Medium body with a warming effect as afterglow. Surprisingly mouth-coating. Bitterness is strangely grapefruit'y as mouthfeel.

Nice beer to consume. Not the bomb - but also not disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2011 00:00:18 | More by opalchemist

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.03/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark reddish brown color from a 14.9 oz widget can, with ABV clearly marked.
A luscious two finger head forms after the nice cascading effect settles after a reasonably easy pour. Head stays forever, which was not unexpected, and looks really very good.
Aroma is all malt with subtle hints of caramel, grains, yeast and some sweetness.
Taste similar to the aroma is very malty with hints of bitterness in the finish. Overall, it is a medium bodied, crisp, refreshing ale.
Excellent lacing all along the insides of the glass, but was again something that I expected from a widget-can.
Easy to drink, delicious scottish ale.
Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: nitro-can

09-04-2011 04:54:41 | More by CaptDavyJones

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a nice clear dark orange topped by a white bubbly head.

S: The nose on this is familiar. Burnt pork tenderloin and toast is what comes to mind at first. Residual sweetness in the background kind of like weak caramel.

T: Surprisingly this beer is rather fruity. It tastes like someone took a peach and coated it in the caramel like you would use on an apple, then melted it all down into a drinkable liquid.

M: Medium bodied and moderately carbonated, it's smooth, but coats the palate.

D: Quite nice to drink, and with the lower ABV I would defiantly enjoy a few of these in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 02:55:51 | More by tlazaroff

output01x

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 440 mL. nitro-can (No Date) into a pint glass.

A slow pour yields a head that literally consumes the entire glass. The head slowly collapses into itself forming the body from the bottom up. Watching the transformation is just awesome. After about a minute and a half, a fully-formed, super creamy 1 1/2-finger tan colored head sits atop a perfectly clear burnt red amber body with very few rising carbonation bubbles. Unfortunately, the head is too dense and cohesive to leave behind any lacing. On the plus side, the head literally never dies. I am positive that I could leave this beer sit out for a week and the head would still be there.

Roasted pale malts give notes of caramel and roasted nuts. Some light floral hops aromas are also detected. Overall the nose is not very strong but is definitely pleasing.

Light, sweet malts start each sip and are quickly met by some floral, spicy hops. The hops flavors are definitely subdued, allowing the malts to really come through. Notes of milk chocolate, caramel, nuts, some chalk, and a little earthiness give this a rather fireside quality.

Medium bodied with great carbonation, this beer is a creamy, drinkable, and enjoyable. The body is neither too thick nor too light, allowing the beer to coat your mouth well without become sticky. The carbonation is almost undetectable but is definitely doing more than its fair share for this beer.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-30-2011 19:37:39 | More by output01x

WillCarrera

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

440 ml can with a nitro widget.

A- Pours a dark brown/amber color with a huge creamy, very rich cream colored head. The head stays around two fingers and even after a half hour has still managed to maintain an impressive finger.

S- Sweet and bready malts with some hazel and light floral hops in the background.

T- Very complicated malts, roasted grain, bready, some earthy, hazelnut flavors. Hops hang out in the background and provide some leafy, bitter balance. Slightly sweet, nutty finish.

M- Medium bodied, the nitro provides that great creamy, velvety, thick texture. Feel is very creamy and smooth.

O- A pretty good beer, does very well with nitro. The malt flavors are very tasty and inviting.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-30-2011 03:09:36 | More by WillCarrera

chinchill

South Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

440 ml can poured into a 20 oz mug.

A - Pours a very dark amber with an amazing dense off-white head. This head is very thick, durable and creamy; a dip made in the head by a friend who tasted it with her fork remained for many minutes and many sips! If there was lots of carbonation it was not visible.

S - The aroma is distinct, and most evident during tasting due to the thick covering. The nose is sweet and floral, but features malt and suggests baked bread. There's a hint of spicy citrus.

T - Also distinct and interesting. It seems to consist of several malts of varying roasts. Starting a bit sweet it turns mildly bitter and slightly sour and earthy in the lasting finish. The aftertaste is quite pleasant and rather nutty, but features the malts. Score approachs 4.

M - Medium-light body; nitro-enhanced creamy and smooth, yet low carbonation.

O - this malty scottish ale is easy to recommend. Much better than the more popular and available nitro-can from Boddingtons. Allowed to warm a bit before serving but still improved with further warming.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-29-2011 15:41:10 | More by chinchill

Thads324

Connecticut

3.48/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear and deep golden orange. Thick white head that stands tall and solid. A lace ring goes from top to bottom! Smells of candy apple shell. A tiny bit of caramel and smoke. A musty, earthy hop aroma lingers in the tail end. Starts watery and then is followed by a sweet and bready flavor. A solid nut flavor and a hint of smoke and a straw. Hop is mellow in the center, a bit bitter but not much. A very smooth ale with easy drinkability. Medium in body.
Not the finest Scottish ale but certainly a nice one. Easy to drink and unique enough to want another.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 03:17:05 | More by Thads324

zander4dawin

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - medium copper color, thick, very creamy white head. Nice clearity.
Smell - sweet malts, little caramel
Taste - sweet malty beer, possibly a little light struck WHY THE CLEAR GLASS? little to no hop presenses. slight smokiness.
Mouthfeel - rich full mouth feel, feels good

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 14:45:36 | More by zander4dawin

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Has a light aroma that smells mainly of toasted grains and fruity sugars, with a hint of hops.

On the tongue, the hops hit first, bringing in a grapefruit buzz that lasts for less than half a second. Then the malts kick in, and the beer really takes off. The malts are dark and rich: smoky, peaty, chocolaty, and nutty in almost equal parts, with a smidgen of toffee mixed in for good measure, and just a hint of tobacco burning in the back of your throat. The aftertaste is mostly smoky malts, though sugars come through right at the end and provide a small respite. Most noticeable about the aftertaste, however, is the tingling sensation on the soft palate--a tingling that I normally associate with hard alcohols. For the rather weak nose, I was surprised at the power of the flavor.

Overall, this is a decent brew, though no doubt some will be turned off by the smoky, peaty malts and wish for a sweeter beverage.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 15:56:39 | More by jondeelee

claspada

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Although it comes in a nitro-can I decided to pour into my Samuel Smith pint glass and boy was I pleased. Looks like a light brown Guiness with the separation of liquid, hazy nitrogen laden bubbling and the nice offwhite head with nice fuffiness. Middle slowly dissipates leaves the beer and the fluffy head.

Aromas are not too complex with pale malty sweetness, caramels, some earthy notes and a tiny bit of roastiness. Doesn't change much as it warms.

The tastes begin with a sweet malty assualt that was just rich and full flavored. A nice touch of nuttiness was mixed in as well with a touch of caramel that really lightened up and balanced the flavors. There were some light hints of earthy/grassy like flavors towards the finish. Light fruitiness thoughout (yeast driven) with a nice clean finish. The flavor was very full, much more so then I thought it would be to be honest.

Mothfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Great for the style; the nitro can really improves this in my opinion as I have had this out of the bottle in the past and did not enjoy it or find it as memorable. Overall this is a great session ale for anytime of the year but probably best around the fall time when I enjoy my brown ales the most. Hop of the heap for the style and doesn't go overboard in any category while still being extremely flavorable and drinkable.

Serving type: nitro-can

08-08-2011 13:48:44 | More by claspada

Naugros

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I AM impressed with the head this thing created in my Oktoberfest glass stein...yes, I poured a Scottish Ale into a Bavarian-style stein. It was a pint+ bottle and my stein was one of the few drinking vessels I have that could take the whole thing. Anyway, this head rose like a Bavarian weizen and maintained a dense structure like a well-crafted Belgian pale. Nicely done! The beer is a nice copper color and would be really easy to see through if the stein wasn't dimpled.

The spice of British hops comes through pretty clearly in the nose and drowns out the malts pretty effectively. The malts really assert themselves in the taste with a mild sweetness and a nice a flavor. It's like toasted challah that was done in a toaster where the crumbs in the bottom suddenly caught fire and then went out. A little toast and a very slight smoke, very slight. The hops contribute some balancing bitterness and a little bit more of the spice. The beer finishes with those hops and pretty dry.

The beer is pretty light-bodied and seems a bit thin. An easily drinkable beer but a little light in flavor for my palate. Still, it's a nice representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 01:34:07 | More by Naugros

redfire89

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Dark tan color with a small but thick, creamy head.
S- Earthy aroma with a faint caramely scent.
T- Toasted malts and caramel flavor.
M- Very creamy and light bodied.
O- Very good beer, the head stuck around th whole time, and left exceptional lacing.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-02-2011 13:33:40 | More by redfire89