Sheep Eater Scotch Ale - Grand Teton Brewing Co.

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

33.8oz dark brown bottle. 2009 vintage.
Poured into a Sam Adams fluted glass.
The color is a deep ruby-hued mahogany with a fading tannish beige head. A little trailing and clingy lace slides into oblivion.
A very heavy smell of dark roasted malt, caramel candy and a dark rummy whiff are upfront. Smells of peat, molasses and berries are noticed throughout.
Big robust malty flavors carry tastes of creme brulee, chocolate covered cherries, dark rum-soaked pears and spicy hops.
I enjoy the the nearly oily, silky smoothness in the mouth and throat feel.
Such a large bottle, so smooth, fairly high octaine = Bliss.
Very nice brew, but expensive as hell.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 00:59:53 | More by BeerResearcher

AleApostle

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -19.6%

03-23-2013 22:20:25 | More by AleApostle

djrn2

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -7.2%

11-22-2012 19:59:35 | More by djrn2

FreshmanPour77

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

07-20-2012 17:22:53 | More by FreshmanPour77

MyTBeerDrinker

Illinois

1/5  rDev -75.2%

07-10-2012 01:16:48 | More by MyTBeerDrinker

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on Jan 14, 2010

A: Pours a very lightly hazy medium brown in color with garnet highlights and light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some yeast sediment in suspension. The beer has a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer that reduces to a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate peat smoke notes over the sweet caramel and toffee malts.

T: Very similar to the smell with bready and sweet toffee malts. There is a light presence of the peat smoke as well as some dark fruit (plum).

M: Medium to full bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Moderate alcohol warming and some dryness in the finish.

O: Very enjoyable example of a style that is not necessarily one of my favorites - I would even consider having this one again. I really enjoy the lingering smoke smells and tastes but this is one to sip.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 13:17:26 | More by dbrauneis

hays99

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

03-09-2012 17:08:13 | More by hays99

oline73

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this at Imminent Liquidation. Poured into my tasting glass.

Appearance: Pours a dark mahogany color with a finger of off white head and very good retention.

Smell: This one is sweet with caramel malt and some dark fruit.

Taste: A lot like the smell. The malt really dominates, but I wouldn't call the taste overly sweet at all. The ages has smoothed this one out. Definitely enjoying this.

Mouthfeel: The body is just on the syrupy side, but it seems to fit. The carbonation is smooth and the finish is dry.

Overall: I haven't had this beer fresh, but the age seems to have done this beer well. I'm a big fan and would definitely enjoy more.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 01:01:14 | More by oline73

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

2.6/5  rDev -35.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Pours a dark brown body with ruby-hued edges underneath a small, beige head that’s rather on the sudsy side.

Smell: A grainy edge atop sweetish caramel, figs, and, oddly enough, a hint of orange peel. Moistened cardboard and spirits round out the Sheep Eater.

Taste: A similar grainy start to the taste, some caramel brushed toast slices, and that papery, oxidized element jumping right in. Lightly fruity. Some alcohol hints, seemingly more than one would expect given the listed ABV percentage. Faint spiciness, some curious woodsy tones, and a smidgen of peat. All these things are butting their heads, disjointedly vying for your attention in finish. It culminates into just an odd taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-low carbonation.

Overall: He’s dead, Jim.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 18:28:30 | More by ChainGangGuy

coreymcafee

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

03-01-2012 17:37:25 | More by coreymcafee

steamboatbrewer

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -13.4%

02-25-2012 19:26:04 | More by steamboatbrewer

Keiner

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

02-07-2012 01:49:28 | More by Keiner

elliot23

Montana

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

01-10-2012 05:56:37 | More by elliot23

sulldaddy

Connecticut

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

Split a 1 L bottle with Stopper at cellar temp. The beer is poured into a snifter and exhibits a deep mahogany hue with light beige head of .5cm that fades to an edge layer quickly after pouring.
Aroma is brown sugar and caramel with a bit of raisin and dark fruit mixed in the nose. I dont get any real hops or booze but the malt profile is fairly complex and appealing to me.
First sip reveals an average body with slightly syrupy texture and mild carbonation.
The flavor is as the nose advertised with big malt and little hops. I get toffee and caramel with some brown sugar and maybe a little heat. I think a bit of earthy hop notes are in the background but certainly arent featured in this beer.
The beer is complex and fairly enjoyable, I was hoping for a little more from the bottle, but I dont walk away unsatisfied.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 04:31:04 | More by sulldaddy

AaronBurr

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1%

12-26-2011 17:03:27 | More by AaronBurr

Beer4Baltimore

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

11-24-2011 16:30:07 | More by Beer4Baltimore

lcmir23

California

4/5  rDev -1%

11-24-2011 02:25:25 | More by lcmir23

gregoryboytos

California

4/5  rDev -1%

11-23-2011 01:18:19 | More by gregoryboytos

s1ckboy

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

11-21-2011 13:18:28 | More by s1ckboy

Mako82

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into snifter

A - Very dark brown in color. Dark tan colored head that was foamy and lasted fairly long

S - Strong barley smell, almost like hay inside of a barn. Dark malts, no sense of alcohol esters, slight hint of whiskey

T - Initial taste of caramel malts, but quickly taken over by strong barley/hay type taste. Hint of coffee, strong alcohol bitter aftertaste that stays well into the aftertaste.

M - Low carbonation, dry body

Comes in a pretty cool quart bottle

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 17:25:43 | More by Mako82

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is clear and dark burgundy in color. It poured into a snifter glass with lacy patterns of bubbles covering the surface.
S: There are sweet aromas of malts in the nose.
T: Like the smell, the taste is very malty and bready. It has some malty sweetness and notes of caramel, plums and smoke.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied, smooth and somewhat thick on the palate with a light amount of carbonation. The finish has some alcohol warming as well as a slight amount of dryness.
D: Despite all of the malty flavors, the beer is quite easy to drink. The alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 13:24:11 | More by metter98

Radome

Spain

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This was labeled "2009 Cellar Reserve". Poured from a large flip-top bottle into a Duvel tulip glass.

A - Beer is almost black but shows as dark reddish brown and slightly cloudy when held up to the light. Initial head is about 3/4" and beige colored. It fades quickly, but maintains a circle around the glass and some lacing.

S - Nice aroma of sweet malt, peat smoke and oak. There is a fruity note in the end that could be from hops or yeast.

T - The taste is a great mix of nutty malt, then the peat smoke, then a lingering sweet finish that reminds me of chocolate milk. Delicious and complex.

M - The body is moderate to thick, accompanied by a creamy feel from the moderate carbonation. Hop bitterness and alcohol are not noticeable.

D - This is a wonderful example of the style. I can't think of a genuine Scottish version that I like better. A big beer that is delicious and perfectly balanced.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 05:00:03 | More by Radome

mwilbur

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 1 L bottle into shaker pint glass. 2009 vintage. The paper tag on the beer is dated Jan 27 2010 (best after?).
A: Pours a very dark brownish-red with the faintest of fizzy tan heads that quickly recedes. The red becomes more apparent with backlighting.
S: Caramel malts, smoke, and a whiff of non-citrus fruit.
T: Cascades of sweet caramel malt overlapped with mild gentle smoke (perfect balance here). Very thick and rich. Chocolate, grains, sweet honeydew, raisins, and hint of leather.
M: Smooth, silky, sweet, and oily. Faint burn from the alcohol (and smoke?). Medium to full body. Thick and creamy. Hint of dryness in the finish. Very nice.
D: Extremely drinkable. And even at 7.5%, I would say quite sessionable. A very enjoyable brew! Very fresh tasting even after being cellared this long. Looking forward to aging my other one a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 05:06:15 | More by mwilbur

alexpkoehler

California

4.13/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled late December '09, poured out of a 1 quart swing-top bottle into an imperial pint glass mid-February '11.

A - Caramel brown with reddish hues upon being held up to a source of light. Creamy tan head thanks to bottle conditioning.

S - Biscuity, bunt-sugar aromas, very pleasing, foreshadowing the abundant malt about to hit your palate.

T - Very sweet and malty as is characteristic of the Scotch Ale and the Wee Heavy, turns into a flavour reminiscent of orange liquor, and finishes like a can of one of those malt drinks

M - Enigmatic. It is both light and creamy. You'd expect something that tastes this sweet to feel like syrup on your tongue but the body is light. However, the bottle conditioning and that creamy head lends Sheep Eater and velvety, mouth-coating sort of feel.

D - The incredible sweetness of this ale, combined with the creaminess of it, combined with the 7.5% abv, combined with the fact that this is sold in 1 quart portions means that you'll get two proper pints per bottle. In retrospect, would've rather shared it with a friend than enjoyed alone.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 02:55:11 | More by alexpkoehler

robbyc1

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is the 2009 Vintage in a 1 Liter Swing Top Bottle...

Looks is a nice dark brown, very murky, creamy off white head with quick dissipation, decent lacing. A solid looking Scotch.

Scent is malty, very deep, with nose of toffee and smoke, earthy, roasted nuts, touches of chocolate.

Taste reveals the smoked peat malt, perfectly sented, and well done not overly smoky. Some sweetness comes through the finish, but it is not a sweet bomb, just a slightly sweet finish. Superb with roasted meats. Hops do not dimish the malt, with additional notes of molasses, raisons, and bread with a slight alcohol bufn on the end. Veyr smooth and creamy, almost undercarbonated, but not a problem. Nicely balanced for all that is going on. One of the best I've had. A full liter is a bit much but not really.

Thick viscosity, syrupy and warming on the palate, with low carbonation.

I am a big lover of wee-heavies, and this one is very good.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 21:38:09 | More by robbyc1