Pike Kilt Lifter Scotch Style Ale - Pike Pub & Brewery

archyquaffer

Montana

3.86/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a long neck bottle into a Shaker pint. A moderate pour yields about 1/2 inch of off-white head that quickly retreats. A little bit of sticky lace clings to the glass. Carbonation is fairly low. The beer is a yellowish-brown with ruby highlights.

I perceive a faint scent of earthy hops, and a very distinctive caramel malt and maybe a burnt sugar or brown sugar aroma. The flavor is pretty unique with a definite sweetness that is quite appealing- it tastes and smells very much like a caramel roll. Maybe also some molasses, and a bit of honey. Just enough bitterness on the tongue to balance the sweetness a tad. The beer is malty and sweet, but also has a subtleness and complexity that make it stand out. Perhaps also a bit lighter in body than most examples of the style.

This beer was pretty expensive, at nearly $10 a six pack, but I figure it's good to splurge on some good beer on occasion. This was enough of a taste treat to make it worthwhile.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 05:32:10 | More by archyquaffer

Preiliboy

Washington

4.09/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I like this beer it has a good malty flavor . The smell is average. I like the taste and mouthfeel this beer is a must try . It is an above average beer not to bitter at all . Try this out when you see it. You will not be dissappointed you may actually even like it its a great session beer with the buds no doubt.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 08:06:44 | More by Preiliboy

Murrhey

Montana

2.91/5  rDev -18%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a conic pint glass in high elevation Libby, Mont. No best-by date. Reviewed live.

A- Quarter-inch sliver of fluffy off-white head. Quickly erodes to a shimmering top over an amber body with medium clarity. Semi-hazy. Not very impressive.

S- Caramel malts, slightly grassy, eggy (?).

T- Spicy, caramel malts and grassy. It's interesting in flavor. Not great though.

M- Kind of grainy. Dry finish.

O- Well below average. I enjoy this style, but this beer misses it.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 05:56:27 | More by Murrhey

Uncle_Jimmy

California

3.51/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance-slightly hazy reddish orange, 1/2 finger of off white foam that disappears immediately. It has a high alcohol or sugar content because it has legs like a wine.

Aroma- carmel , bandaids light apple and citrus fruit?!.

Taste- carmel butterscotch and band aids. I think a combination of high kettle caramelization and slightly vegetal tasting hop makes for and interesting and earthy ale. The hops more or less balance out there is a slight pine in the finish though.

Mouthfeel- seems right on a bit syrupy, but the booze is well disguised. Lower effervescence is spot on.

Overall- I think a decent representation of the style. It improves as it warms in the glass I think I would like to see it a touch clearer in the glass, and maybe a touch less boozy.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 17:39:10 | More by Uncle_Jimmy

estlinska

Arkansas

3.64/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Poured on tap at the tasting room into a shaker (everything it seems comes in a shaker here). Poured a deep ruby orange toffee color with a fair off-white head. Leaves some runny lacing with minimal sustainability through the glass. The nose was roasted malt and toffee with an overwhelming burnt sugar smell. If you've ever gotten sugar on a stove eye before, you know the smell. It was hard to get past. However, the taste was very pleasant overall. Had a nice fruity hop background to a huge malt bill. It was full of caramel and brown bread. Very heavy mouthfeel. Good beer, but not the best "Scotch Ale" I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 02:52:33 | More by estlinska

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Poured into a MacAndrew's thistle glass. Pours a reddish copper amber with a fine one finger very light tan head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, apple cider, tea and a hint of peat. Smooth flavor of caramel malt, light grassy hops, slight fruit juice and a hint of peat. So well balanced that no flavors really stand out. Medium bodied with great creaminess. A very nicely integrated and easy to drink Scotch ale. I wouldn't mind a bit more aggressive peat, but very nicely made.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 03:07:35 | More by LiquidAmber

Braz

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had a pint at TK Irish Pub. Brownish amber hazy in color. Small creamy head. Pretty malty and mildly hopped. Ever so slightly syrup feel. Good flavor. Alcohol takes effect in this one quickly which is a little suprising at 6.50%. I like this beer, but I'm unsure about the style it's under. I found it more comparable to something like Fat Tire or even Alaskan Amber. Anyways, enjoyed it and will have again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2013 08:09:29 | More by Braz

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Attractive dark amber with a frothy head. Lots of lacking in the Duvel tulip. Quite a bit of fizziness on the tongue. Uninspiring smell of scorched malt.

First sip tastes kind of sourish. It grows on you after some sipping, but the malt flavors seem a little dirty. Some modest malty pleasures but very little sweetness. Touch of spoiled fruit and a hint of what might be smoke. Ends on a bitterish note with something like potatoes. Quite dry finish.

For a beer that's been around forever, this is pretty anemic. But it's not too offensive and maybe that's what keeps it selling at the brewpub. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Total Wine in Huntington Beach, California, where you'll find all sorts of oddities regardless of quality.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 02:54:57 | More by mactrail

timtwoface

British Columbia (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev -2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is easily my favourite of all the offerings that Pike has to offer. Nothing exceptional, but it is a tasty, malty (but not overly so) beer that drinks very smoothly. I definitely would buy again and the price point isn't bad either. This is the first scotch style ruby ale I've tried and it's made me interested to try other offerings in this vein.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 06:08:54 | More by timtwoface

mdaschaf

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from notes.

A: Pours a deep amber color with a foamy one finger head on top. Sporadic lacing.

S: Nice malty aroma, some caramel, some brown sugar, and toasted malt.

T: It is slightly scotchy with more caramel and smoky peat. Some bready malt and faint fruitiness.

M: Medium bodied with low to medium carbonation.

O: A decent scotch ale, again nothing really special.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 01:26:08 | More by mdaschaf

harrymel

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

No bottle date

Pours a nice bourbon caramel with a small fleeting white residue. Brilliant clarity. Smells of toast, english tea, some brown sugar and a wee bit of cinnamon. Flavor carries plenty of bread, some yeast and slight oxidation (cardboard), hints of tea. Medium bodied with light carb and a noninvasive finish. A decent, approachable beer. I can see myself grabbing this on a cool fall day.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 06:01:10 | More by harrymel

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.78/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a ruby amber color in tulip glass. Off-white head dissipates pretty quickly. Minimal lacing on sides of glass.

Smell has an apple cider quality to it. Little malty smell comes through as this warms.

Taste is sweet malt up front. Some fruity notes are present. Mild bitterness for me.

Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied. Average carbonation.

Overall this was enjoyable. Thanks to my mother and father-in-law for this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 00:48:07 | More by TrappistJohnMD

hardy008

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Dark amber with a tan head, with decent retention and lacing. Smells and tastes like caramel malt and peat. A bit smoky, and has some hop bitterness.

Medium body with average carbonation, and not much aftertaste. A decent beer, which I wouldn't mind trying again.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 03:02:57 | More by hardy008

RedBiddy

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Almost an orange appearance in sunlight. Lacing was weak. Sweet aroma and sweet on the palate but not over the top. Terrific mouth feel...I was reluctant to swallow. Pleasant carbonation and exemplary taste. For a Scotch style ale it exceeded my expectations.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 18:15:26 | More by RedBiddy

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

One of the few beers remaining from the beers I brought back to Ontario from Alberta.

A - Pours a hazy copper colour with an amber hue, finger of head with little retention and no lacing.

S - Bready oatmeal, cereal notes, caramel, toffee and bran flakes.

T - Pretty mild for a scotch ale, bready caramel and bran, touch of peat that lingers with a hint of espresso and some alcohol sweetness.

M - No complaints here, nice carbonation level that goes down smooth and leaves with a touch of dryness.

O - A tasty scotch ale, but a little too mild for my liking. I like my scotch ales to possess more on the peat flavours, so don't look to this one if you're looking for a bold scotch ale. This might be a good choice to ease someone into the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 19:54:52 | More by andrenaline

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.95/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap poured into a sampling glass.

Pours a deep mahogany brown with no head less a small rim. Nose is smokey and sweet.

Taste is really nice, more sweet than smokey like most but it's more approcable and easy drinking. Carbonation is light and the Mouthfeel is smooth and crisp making this very easy drinking.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 21:31:33 | More by kingcrowing

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - swampy orange brown with a thin off white head, some thin lacing
S - toffee and woody, very spicy and slightly musty
T - caramel, woody, and nutty with hints of peat, strong peppery and herbal lingering flavours
M - medium body and carbonation, spicy feel with some bitterness
O - a very peppery and pleasant brew, not big on peat or smoke, but unique enough to stand out while being very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2011 02:41:52 | More by joemcgrath27

socon67

New York

3.95/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours copper with a slight tan foam. Tiny bubbles of carbonation, and no sediment.

S - Smells of fresh malt, caramel, and a smoky aroma. Very complex and pleasant.

T - The taste of caramel malt is dominant, and very nice. The scotch-like flavor is subtle, but does finish with a boozy bite. As it settles and warms up, there is a bit of smoky flavor like from a hickory BBQ.

M - A bit heavy on the taste buds, and the complexity of flavors makes this a little abrasvie. Not a gentle beer, though it is medium bodies.

O - Quite enjoyable. When in the mood for this style I would certainly try again.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2011 22:51:40 | More by socon67

radioscooter

Pennsylvania

2.98/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this in a trade. I love trying all new Scotch Ales, even if I end up not liking them.

Pours too light and cloudy and frothy for my taste. Smells like a non-distinct, non-BMC craft ale of vague characteristics.

Tastes the same. Light hops, slight malty feel, very thin. Not offensive but nothing to cheer for. Carbonation is too high for a SA.

If someone had presented this to me as an Irish Red Ale, it would be a nice effort. But as a Scotch ale, it's waaay off the mark.

Sad for Scotch lovers like myself. But a tasty red ale in the Sam Adams, or O'Hara style nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 16:29:05 | More by radioscooter

vonghost

Nevada

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Went to a beer tasting at a friends house and he pulled out this beer.

Copper Color, good clarity with a short fizzy head,

Slight biscuity with a heavy smoky aroma.

Taste was good but my first experience with such a smoky aroma and flavor.

Overall a good beer but 1 would only be able to drink 1.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 00:27:39 | More by vonghost

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz bottle, no date.

dark copper in color, with just a thin whisp of head. not a very strong aroma, just a bit boozy. tastes of sweet malt, with some caramel, some whiskey flavors without the burn. medium body, carbonation on the higher side.

overall, it's alright, but nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 04:14:15 | More by jmdrpi

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brown and auburn colors in the pour, not much head at all, even though the beer ended up being plenty carbonated, left me wondering though, why is there lace left on a beer with almost no head? I digress. Woody aroma, sweet, smoky, nice.

More wood tannin grittiness and sweetness on the palate. Didn't catch the smokiness at this point. Warming effect of alcohol. More drinkable than average for style. A little nuttiness and caramel thrown in for good measure. More like a hybrid or leaning toward an amber ale/winter warmer type situation.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 20:51:37 | More by Beerandraiderfan

lackenhauser

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice bronze color. Admirable head going into the glass. Sweet, caramel aroma-sticky, buttery and toffee like. Malt all the way upfront flavor wise. A whisper of hops. Mellow spiciness that is somewhat unexpected though fits well. Lingering caramel sweetness. Hint of real scotch character as it settles in the back of the throat. Very solid body-the stickyness and touch of spice comes thru bodywise. Very well done US wee hevy. Nice low abv, for the US. Stays traditional to it's roots. No smoke in your face which is nice.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 00:10:14 | More by lackenhauser

mikeg67

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at Pike brewery. Pours dark red hue with a white head and lively carbonation. Aroma is of cherry and apple juice. Light to medium, crisp body. Good balance of caramel malt, ripe fruit and earthy hops fill the mouth. I don’t think this ale can lift a kilt.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 15:56:07 | More by mikeg67

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ours cloudy brown with a slight cream head. No lace.

Some slight smoky malt, some fruit and caramel.

Not big like some of the style. Caramel, good toasty malt, some fruity sweetness, leading to some long lingering bitterness. I really want an alcohol punch here and get none. All of the other flavors work well, but this is a wee bit weak.

Medium to full bodied. It works.

An ok brew. Some flaws but tasty.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 22:43:27 | More by OtherShoe2