Highland Gaelic Ale - Highland Brewing

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.63/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - An amber red with cloudiness and 1 finger of head. Slight lace left on the glass. Looks good!

S - Lots of sugar, molasses, and brown sugar. Huge maltiness in the nose.

T - Malts kick in up front. Like the smell, sweet, sugar and caramel. Nicely balanced with some bitterness at the end.

M - Light bodied and fairly well carbonated.

O - A very drinkable amber ale. Well balanced, and good.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 01:30:51 | More by BeerDawgs

SLeffler27

New York

3.63/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A three-inch, gold tinted head is frothy as it slowly turns to pancake batter consistency while dropping spotty lace on a fisheye pint glass. Ample carbonation clings to the glass beneath a clear, copper brown beer.

The aroma is biscuity with malt, toffee, tea, and a dash of lime in the background.

This is well balanced with a malt backbone and some brown sugar. Whole wheat bread with light hop flavors and light hop bitterness are followed by toasted grains, some nuts and a modest, lingering finish.

The watery texture and medium body contain modest carbonation and no sense of alcohol, with a light astringency in the finish.

This is a good everyday beer, perhaps best with a sandwish. I suggest roast beef on rye.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:28:46 | More by SLeffler27

TheSSG

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice, soft, light head. Sweet malt dominates the nose. Lovely, almost ruby, red. Starts with an unexpected hop bitterness (didn't smell that) which bright and citric. Moves up into a medium bitterness, then becomes more like citrus rind as the malt comes through. The finish is a stupendous blend of malt and hop, though.

A nice blend of the two dominate takes on ambers; malty and hoppy.

Swirling the bottom bits in the bottle gave it a much nice hop aroma and flavor.
As it warmed, the malt just became more pronounced, so it just gets better.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 03:40:46 | More by TheSSG

jjanega08

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

No freshness dating

A= Pours a nice slightly hazy deep amber color with a nice off white sort of tannish head on it that holds steady at a half finger high and leaves some steady lacing.

S= The smell is a sort of nutty deep almost caramelly sweetness... No hop aroma and not much deep roast. The smell is sort of unique and not unpleasant. It has a sort of grainy raw mash smell to it.

T= The taste is again a very nice sweetness. Little to no hop flavor in it but there is a nice sort of grainy mash taste to it that leaves you wanting more. This is a nice tasting amber that isn't overly hopped.

M= A near perfect carbonation.

O= This beer is avery well done red ale that isn't the overly hopped variety. This beer has a nice grain flavor and a solid mouth. This is a solid beer that you should seek.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 05:12:16 | More by jjanega08

cruzbay

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle, and has a surprising red color, with little head.
The initial taste was sweet and malty, not overpowering or overly bold. The finish was a light grapefruit taste but did not last too long. Overall it had both the malt and hop flavors associated with an ale, but they were light, which makes this beer enjoyable for the taste, and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 12:35:58 | More by cruzbay

maki88

3.85/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

+

12oz bottle poured into a tumbler. Enjoyed at home.

A: Rich amber color with a thick, off-white head. The head lingered and laced well. This definitely looks like an ale, and the bold appearance suggests some of the strong scents and distinguished taste of this brew.

S: Sweet and malty, while also somewhat toasty, with hints of caramel.

T: A rich flavor. Smooth at the start -- lighter than expected, actually. The taste lingers pleasantly in the mouth. I'd say that this ale has a distinct flavor, but not an over-powering one. Compared with other ales, this one's taste is notable for its bold but drinkable character.

M: Medium-bodied, but perhaps on the lighter side of "medium." Certainly not too light for an ale, but there seems to be room for it to be a bit more robust here.

O: A solid ale, above average but not incredible. It is definitely drinkable and enjoyable, without some of the overpowering flavors of other ales. I'd enjoy it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 01:30:52 | More by maki88

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Part of the mixed 12 pack, one of the overall best ones in their IMHO. Beautiful amber color, nice frothy head. Hoppy aroma. Taste smacks you with caramel upfront, a nice sweetness balanced with hops and a good malt backbone. Finishes smooth and clean, just a great beer all around. A very common style but this is one of the better interpretations I've had, worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 23:27:18 | More by marlinsfan4

patpbr

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- deep color, looking amber with a little head.
S- malt and carmel.
T- up front malt, it has some sweetness. Hops and some fruit.
M- full flavor that leaves a nice malt linger. this is coming from someone that likes hops
O- Friend brought some back from Ashville. Its a good brew

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 03:55:33 | More by patpbr

Mojo

Alabama

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

There are beers that just get your attention because they are strong and powerful and there are beers that get your attention because their qualities are a little more understated. This beer is the latter. It pours a beautiful copper with a large taupe head and substanstial lacing left over. The smell is pine, citrus, grasses and bread. Mouthfeel is good with just the right amount of carbonation. Taste is very sweet on the front seamlessly giving way to some subtle hoppiness on the finish. This was my first beer from this brewery and if this one is any indication of the overall quality, then I will certainly want to try more.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 02:55:18 | More by Mojo

DaveBlack

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Rich copper color, maybe a 1/2 finger of head with moderate retention

S: A good smelling beer. Upfront the beer smells slightly toasty, and a little grainy, followed by floral hops. The overall smell is that of a well balanced brew.

T: Much like the smell, the first taste is that of the malts. Grainy, fairly sweet and toasty. It would be too sweet but for the heavy kick of hops at the finish that bring a slightly piney bitterness to the table.

M: Moderate body and a fair amount of carbonation.

O:Definitely a good beer, a nice balance of the malt and hops characteristics. The body makes this a very drinkable beer. True, there's nothing outstanding or special about it, but it's a good, solid drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 03:27:34 | More by DaveBlack

neenerzig

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got a 12 oz bottle of this at a Publix in Sarasota, FL on my vacation that I am still currently on there. I have never seen this beer in Cleveland, OH. Poured into my pint glass, this beer is a clear, medium amber color with a bit of a copper hue and ruby highlights when held up to the light. has a nice white fluffy head about 2/3 inch thick when poured, before settling to a nice thick ring lining the inside of the glass. Not too much lacing unfortunately. Has a toasty bready, caramel malt aroma with some fruit such as cherry and figs. Has a good toasted bready caramel malt sweetness flavor upfront, followed by hints of honey and vanilla, then with some fruit such as cherry and figs, and rounded out with a hint of suble hops. The hops aren't really noticeable, your palate has to search for them or it would never know the hop presence was there at all. Overall a more complex beer flavorwise than most other amber ales I have had. Nicely done! Has a crisp, smooth, slightly chewy, medium to full bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Quite easy to drink in the good way beers like this ought to be. A very good beer here!

Eric

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 03:40:35 | More by neenerzig

Dope

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Hazy ruby pour with a good sized and dense off-white head. Fades away slowly leaving a nice thin patchwork of lacing on the glass.

S: Raisins and figs with some herbal tea hoppiness. Some caramel in there too.

T: Tea and herbal hops abound. Caramel kicks in and sweetens it up. Fades out with more tea in the aftertaste. Hints of toffee throughout. I get some nice cocoa in the aftertaste.

M: Light-to-medium bodied.

O: Very drinkable take on the style. Very well balanced and mild enough without being watery. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 04:16:59 | More by Dope

mattsdenney

Tennessee

4.15/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into NB globe glass.

A: Medium amber in color, slightly hazy, thick looking, light brown thin head.

S: Dried cherry, fig, bread, honey, and sweet malt.

T: Great tasting beer. Strong taste of dried fruit, bready malts, and a nice hop balance. The backbone reminds me of a belgian style ale but it mixes nicely with the american amber flavor.

M: Thin, light, medium carbonation. Feel doesn't linger for long.

O: This is an amber ale with substance. Great on flavor but not overbearing in weight or feel. Will definitely buy again when I'm craving this style.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 23:04:34 | More by mattsdenney

bubseymour

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

a - dark reddish brown w/ 1 finger head

s - very sweet and malty. Lots of caramel / brown sugar scents

t - easy to drink, no hop pressence, lots of caramel. Sort of like a bock style

m - very watery and thin

o- an average beer , decent flavor, sessionable but a little lacking in body

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 19:17:38 | More by bubseymour

McNealc31

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep amber and is relatively clear. Sticky white head floats atop. Smells of toasted malt and smoked peat. I'm glad I knew to expect some hops, because they are definitely noticed. Thankfully, not overpowering (wouldn't fit the style). Caramel, smoked peat and other complex malts are upfront with the piney hops balancing nicely. The malt lingers longer than the hops.Flavor of iced tea as it warms, as well. Clocks in at 5.8% ABV.

I'd say this is more of an Amber Ale than it is a Scotch Ale. It's tasty, has good balance, and is on the hoppier side of the spectrum.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 02:30:58 | More by McNealc31

Dudeletter

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first Amber love and southern addiction is the Highland Brewery. Their beer is from Asheville, NC and the locality promises the freshness of the sample. The beer is on the hoppy end of the spectrum, but the mellowness of a well crafted amber permeates through the hopped nature of the beer. The beer’s cascade hops add a citrus freshness to add punctuation to the malty caramel taste. The carbonation adds a baked bread, almost a toasted desert bread scent to the nose of this wonderful beer.

http://www.dudeletter.com/?p=1000

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 15:41:22 | More by Dudeletter

soulfly1492

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Aroma: Dark and roasty for an amber. Sweet crystal malt. Medium sweet caramel and bitter American hops.

Appearance: Medium copper. High clarity. Head is light brown, decent retention and tons of lacing.

Taste: Sweet malt with a bitter side, some Munich perhaps. Bitter floral and pine hops, little citrus character. Mildly toasty.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Somewhat oily, the finish is dry. Very little carbonation, but enough to be detectable.

Overall: On the roasty side of things. Not exactly pleasant and/or savory. Not memorable in other words.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 00:14:26 | More by soulfly1492

tjsmith910

Florida

4.18/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Red amber mix with a 2-finger beige head with a good and relaxed lacing.

S: i rate all beers a 3 on smell due to the fact that I have no since of smell

T:. The malty ness and hoppiness mash up really makes this a very good beer. it is as the label says the perfect mix of hops and malty flavor.

M: not heavy not over powering. how about nearly perfect overall

O: Period, this beer is great. one of my top 5's. not just in style but over all. i enjoyed every aspect of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 01:24:03 | More by tjsmith910

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear amber with a creamy, lingering off-white head.

S: Aromas of bread, caramel, sweet cream, and mild herbal hops are present on the nose.

T: Notes of caramel, toffee, vanilla bean, bread crust, sweet cream, lemon, orange rind, and herbs wash across the palate. The finish is pleasant and delicate with a nice balance of bready caramel malt and lemony, grassy, herbal hop flavors.

M: Medium-bodied, dryish, and relatively firm upon entry, but grows smoother and silkier toward the finish. Carbonation is active, imparting a refreshing, crisp mouthfeel.

O: A really solid amber with great balance. I can see why this ale has remained so popular over the years.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 15:36:12 | More by mrfrancis

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Clear red/orange with a thick, creamy white head. Great head retention, lacing is wispy and spotty.

S: Caramel and sweetbread, toast, a pleasant grainy scent, a vague and faint coffee scent, and muted grassy hops. Pretty much what you'd expect from the style, but nothing too exciting.

T: Wave of caramel up front. Bread crust and toast next. The slight coffee impression is here too. Touch of fruitiness and a very subtle snap of tartness. Hops contribute a sharp burst of unidentifiable citrus bitterness on the tip of the tongue. Grass and hay. Toasted grain. Starts sweet but ends dry with a toasted malt taste.

M: Light to medium in body, full and creamy. Carbonation is moderately sharp and creates a seltzer-like impression. Very slightly astringent.

O: More complex and well-rounded than the vast majority of reds out there. I enjoyed it and appreciated it, but most beer geeks would probably just gloss over it and move on.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 02:14:53 | More by ryan1788a5

bum732

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

S: Some caramel malt, toasty, slight fruitiness, herbal.

L: Crystal clear amber, white head that dissipates.

T: Sweet, light caramel malt. Medium low herbal bitterness leading to an additional caramel maltiness with some hop flavor. Fairly clean and simple throughout.

M: Medium light body, medium carbonation.

Ok, a little above average all around, solid classic amber ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 03:20:45 | More by bum732

mscudder

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - A rough ruby hue with a tan head. Decent retention.

S - Heavy on the sweet biscuit. Some floral notes and a touch of caramel.

T - It is clear this is a beer based on a caramel malt. I feel the malts dominate the traditional red ale flavors: biscuit, toffee and some sweet floral hops. Interesting for sure!

M - Medium bodied but a sufficient amount of carbonation to set off the hops. The caramel makes it a tad chewy, which bumps this up to a above average.

O - This is not a bad beer, but I have seen all the elements which compose it in great lights. Not quite the beer for me, I prefer an amber from Bell's or perhaps even Smutty.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 06:37:32 | More by mscudder

buschbeer

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle
Served in a nonic pint glass

A - It is a rusty orange color. I got two inches of beige head.

S - The aroma is sweet. I get some toffee and some biscuit.

T - The taste is toffee, caramel, and toast.

M - Moderate

O - This is a tasty brew. It kind of reminds me of Conways Irish Ale. Not quite as good, but would work as a poor man's substitute.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 18:01:22 | More by buschbeer

kell50

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Being from North Carolina, Highland's Gaelic Ale is a must have! This review is from a bottle version consumed on 5/12/2012.

A: It pours a nice reddish/brownish/golden hue. Lively bubbles sit atop this nice looking red ale.

S: There's a nice balanced nose of sweet caramel malt backbone and with a slight floral hop aroma.

T: First sip reveals the nice caramel malts flavor, followed by fruity hops, and finishes with a nice malt kick.

M: Medium body and carbonation, with a light biscuity dryness.

O: I find this one extremely easy to drink. This beer is a solid example of a beer for all seasons. It's nothing overly fancy, but you're likely to tell all your friends about this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 14:22:15 | More by kell50

HopHead84

California

3.65/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

5/8/2012

A: Red tinged orange with an inch of dense beige foam.

S: Expressive caramel malt melds with earth and baked bread. Light pine and grapefruit notes linger in the distance. Lightly sweet.

T: Like the aroma, the flavor is malt centered, focusing on baked bread, biscuit, faint caramel, and toasted notes. There's a low earthy bitterness with a light apple fruitiness. The finish exhibits a stronger apple presence with the complex bread and toasted malt notes carrying through to an ultimately dry, earthy, and lightly bitter ending.

M: Medium in body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth, sticky, and dry.

Overall: An enjoyable malty red ale. Smooth and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 03:30:15 | More by HopHead84