Sláinte Scottish Style Ale - Central Waters Brewing Company

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.48/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Central Waters tulip.
7.5% ABV, Bottled On: OCT notched on the label.

A - Even held up to light Sláinte's deep copper mahogany color almost looks black. The tall but quiet pour rouses up a thin but full layer of tan foam which sinks back into the beer slowly, creating a halo of bubbles around the tulip.

S - Central Waters has a fantastic way of generating really chocolaty aromas from malt, usually in their stouts, but also in Sláinte. Milk chocolate and dry cocoa both blend for a smooth opening that's quickly confronted by peat smoked malt notes of gritty earth. Deep caramelization of the malt leaves undertones of caramel cube and toffee in the background of this hop-less aroma.

T - Caramelization of the wort is evident through the lingering sweetness and malty flavor this beer offers; gooey caramel and toffee melted with soft milk chocolate and dusted with a pinch of cocoa. Again, peat smoked malt pokes through, gently overtaking the sweetness with a finish of dry earthiness.

M - Medium-full bodied, this savory and rich beer has a total lack of hops (perception) but it's not without balance. It's light smokiness aids in creating a dry, almost lightly bitter finish that suppresses the sweetness a bit.

O - Central Waters Sláinte is another generously malty beer that exceeds expectations across the board. It's deep and complex malt aroma is the perfect usher into the flavor of similar malt complexity and depth all while remaining balanced and smooth drinking. Alcohol, while higher in content, is almost undetectable in this smooth beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 03:23:20 | More by BeerFMAndy

Kubrickx

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

05-12-2013 18:50:50 | More by Kubrickx

cadaugherty

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-08-2013 00:08:48 | More by cadaugherty

AmandaSchaefer

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-15-2013 23:06:49 | More by AmandaSchaefer

jplopez21

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.6%

04-15-2013 04:15:52 | More by jplopez21

onefmatt

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: Deep brown, mostly opaque due to the darkness of the color

S: Mild smokiness and peat is the noticeable aroma. A bit of a bready-chocolate smell exists. Slight raisin undertone

T: Smokiness is forward, but not overpowering. Chocolate is present in the taste, bitterness that pairs well with the peat flavor

M: Medium bodied, carbonation is light

O: Overall this is a very good Scotch ale, maybe it is a matter of preference, but I find I enjoy more of the dark fruit flavors in my Scotch ales. All said, this at 7.5% ABV the booze is not immediately present.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:58:51 | More by onefmatt

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Very cool to find this brewed once beer at my bottle shop in the mix and match section.

A - Pours a hefty full inch of deep mocha head with a beer that is also equally as dark. Some sediment chunks at the base of my glass as thick as rice are kind of a turn off.
S - Very deep smoke and peat smells with a balance of caramel malts and citrus hops. Smell great!
T - Well it does a great job with the flavor I get smoke, some peat (minimal which is great) some dry rye comes into play with some citrus hops and a relatively clean finish with caramel malt. Tasty.
M - Medium and chewy, just like I like my malty ales!

Overall damn I can't believe this isn't a regular beer on the lineup, such a smooth malty scotch ale. Worth picking up if you find it.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:13:04 | More by DrDemento456

rolltide8425

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +23.1%

03-23-2013 23:33:35 | More by rolltide8425

Localdrinklax

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +29.5%

03-20-2013 02:46:03 | More by Localdrinklax

GeePee

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-18-2013 00:53:02 | More by GeePee

Dactrius

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

03-14-2013 01:57:55 | More by Dactrius

wmobley

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

03-13-2013 20:27:00 | More by wmobley

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

03-13-2013 04:47:56 | More by Zachtheporter

gdornfeld

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +3.6%

03-12-2013 02:55:19 | More by gdornfeld

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-10-2013 18:22:47 | More by spycow

savagepanda

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-03-2013 22:52:51 | More by savagepanda

Mdodge8837

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

02-27-2013 01:06:39 | More by Mdodge8837

kevanb

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Served on tap at Galway Arms in Chicago, poured into a shaker pint.

Pours a deep brown color, nearly black color with a tan colored head, about a finger high, very creamy, looks like it was poured from a nitro tap, but I was assured it wasn't, retention is good, light lacing. The aroma is heavy on coffee, dark fruit, brown sugar and rich smooth grain. Flavors are similar, pungent coffee and light bitter chocolate, dark fruit, caramel malt, brown sugar, molasses and a bit of raisin, had to make sure I was drinking a Scottish Ale at first, it really drinks like a stout, almost no hop character to speak of. The body is nice and rich, coats the mouth well, very smooth but the finish is a bit lack luster and watery.

Verdict: A decent enough beer, not sure it's a decent enough Scottish Ale. Either way, I enjoyed my pint, but I doubt I'd ask for another.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2013 06:51:59 | More by kevanb

mcewesr

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%

02-25-2013 13:42:52 | More by mcewesr

TheSSG

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a nice, dense, tan head that collapses into a nice, light layer. Aroma is sweet malt with a slight note of floral hops, which combines to an almost berry-like quality. DEEP burnt umber color. Starts tart and toasted, with a touch of hops. Moves into a sweetness that blends with floral hops, then gives way to toasted malt and hop bitterness.
The start is almost like a Schwarzbier, but the finish is reminiscent of coffee.

I'm not HUGE on the start of this, but the finish is quite nice, indeed. Overall, not bad. I prefer my Scottish styles a touch more malty.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 02:55:56 | More by TheSSG

falconxman

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

02-17-2013 19:22:53 | More by falconxman

Klimm

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

02-15-2013 04:43:13 | More by Klimm

Satan70

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -22.3%

02-13-2013 20:09:56 | More by Satan70

markmcconv

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

02-13-2013 19:25:12 | More by markmcconv

seeswo

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

02-10-2013 01:29:32 | More by seeswo