The Ghillie - Broughton Ales Ltd

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.88/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

500ml Bottle: shared with a mate on 15 Feb 2013 during a random beer tasting evening.

Nice looking brew: bright copper body with a full if not deep biege head on top.

Malts rule the flavours both aromaticly and taste wise. This is almost a smooth, gentle beer: however the hop undertones prevent it becoming too sweet and malty. I'm sweet toothed and prefer maltier brews, this sat nicely within that 'pigeon-hole'. The hops play there part but if you're a Hop head this isn't for you unless you fancy something diferent for a change.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 18:07:07 | More by BlackHaddock

Mandrake

Nova Scotia (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very deep reddish-copper with a massive and rocky light tan head that is retained extremely well. Lots of rising carbonation and incredible lace. Absolutely gorgeous. Smell is subdued, and almost entirely malt. Caramel is apparent, and butter as well, but there's virtually no hop presence. Taste is also malt-dominated, but the hops do at least put in an appearance to prevent balance from going right out the window. Lots of caramel again, with very herbal hops in the finish. Diacetyl is present but under control. Mouthfeel is very well carbonated, plenty of body, and quite fulfilling all in all, and drinkability is solid. Perhaps the prettiest pale ale I've ever had in terms of appearance, but doesn't deliver up to it's potential. More balance would do a world of good for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2007 00:02:17 | More by Mandrake

ToneControl

United Kingdom (England)

3.38/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This style of beer is not my favourite, but it's a better than average example.

The website says "A rich copper coloured ale, fresh flavoured with a mix of malt and hop and an exciting hop-flower aroma."
However, the bottle is more accurate about the malt: it says "a full malty flavour and a distinctive spicy hop flower aroma".

To me, the malt us too dominant, but I confess I am a hop-head.
However, the malty aftertaste is much smoother than average - a slightly chocolately texture.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2004 22:14:11 | More by ToneControl