Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale - Moylan's Brewery

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From notes taken at brewpub yesterday:

Pours a beautiful dark brown with decent coffee-coloured head and resultant lacing. Sweet, malt-forward aroma has many of the woody and earthy tones I associate with this style, although without any smokiness or "peat" that I could pick up. Flavour was sweeter in the finish than I would choose, but the body had the expected caramelized and roasted malt tones.

Believe this to be a well brewed example, but not a style of beer I personally enjoy often.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2012 16:23:25 | More by hopsolutely

TheCondor

Missouri

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer was on tap at the Flying Saucer in Little Rock River Market area. I love Scotch style ales or wee heavys, so I figured I would give this one a shot. I compare most all of them to Founders Dirty Bastard. Served in a snifter. I also dominated the jalapeno reuben after I drank this. I will caution against that combination, as it almost made me poop my pants later on that night. But I digress...

Appearance - Poured a tasty looking amber color, on the hazy side, with a nice two finger head that stuck around for a minute. Leaves little lacing. Love the name!

Smell - Strong maltiness, just like many of this style are. Has a caramel backing with some breads as well, but the prime mover is certainly the maltiness in the nose. Yum

Taste - A combination of nuttiness and maltiness, with a caramel flavor as well. A nice woody backbone compliments the flavors. I really like the taste of this.

Mouthfeel - I think this is where this beer really separates itself from others of the style in that it finishes very smooth and lucsious, unlike some of the style that kind of bite you at the end. this beer is remarkably smooth, so much so that drinking a bunch would be relatively easy. Not good for a dude like me

Overall - Certainly try this beer! I would recommend it, I will buy it and drink it again. Love the name, and although the beer isn't necessarily a world beater, it is a solid representation of this style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 00:09:56 | More by TheCondor

Duhast500

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap into a pint glass.

The color is a dark brown with a finger or two of foamy brownish head with some lacing left on the glass.

The smell is has a nice toasty malt aroma. There is a nice brown sugar aroma with some slight banana and a little bit of a pear aroma as well.

The taste is malty as expected, with some dark malts mixed with some roast flavor that is only slightly fruity. There is a nice touch of raisins and some other slight fruit flavor before giving into a slight bitterness toward the end.

The feel of this beer is smooth and goes down easy with a nice crisp, drinkable body that makes this beer just right. There is a nice aftertaste that hangs in the back of the throat and then is gone not long after.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 02:21:17 | More by Duhast500

Merkur

Tennessee

3.45/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Found this on tap at the Flying Saucer in Nashville.

The beer was a mahogany color with a good amount of tan head.

The beer smelled very much of toffee.

The taste was very sweet. Toffee and caramel notes were present.

This beer, despite being 8% had a much lighter mouthfeel that I would have thought. Much easier drinking that I would have thought.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 18:56:43 | More by Merkur

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at 21st Amendment, in San Francisco.

Although the beer is perfectly transparent, good luck seeing through to the other side; its clay-red body has a deep, ruddy complexion that curiously gives off very little highlighting except for a light amber kindling at its base. Its head is thin as moss on a rock and, although it does endure, it looks fine enough to be skimmed off the top simply by blowing at it.

It smells almost as if the malts retained some of the copper from the big kettle in which they were brewed; there are hints of butterscotch, but the beer's sweetness is better described, not quite as caramelization, but "kettle-lization" - the melding of toffee and copper. There's also a bit of campfire smoke remnant of (but clearly not) something Speyside.

Indeed, Kilt Lifter affords a taste, albeit a purely superficial one, of Scotland. Oat-y, almost granola-like, grainy malt have plenty of peat flavour to them as well as plenty of dark fruit (plum, raisin) esters that fit nicely into the backdrop. While it has scotch-like features, it also a Madeira-like sweetness. A bit of earthy hoppiness also perks up time to time. Nice.

It must be said, however, that there are much nicer scotch ales on the market. It's the mouthfeel that sparks me to say that; it's not rich and the alcohol grows to a point where the gratification gained no longer outweighs the warming that accompanies it. It doesn't balance sweetness rather conspires with it. Peat flavours dissipate quickly and there's no smoke.

Kilt Lifter is a perfectly serviceable scotch ale, but one that is more likely to impress those new to the style than more familiar palates. It was probably among the first wee heavy beers I tried, some five plus years ago, and comparing the scores, my impression of it then was certainly much higher than it is now. But, as then, I certainly did enjoy it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 18:05:47 | More by biegaman

gfreed

Massachusetts

2.2/5  rDev -41%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Y-a-w-n... "thin" and "light" are the two adjectives that best describe this beer. In my book, a good scotch ale will waft forth with malt, teak, a little sting and, frankly, a nice fistful of peas. This has... nothing. Very little aroma beyond yeast; very little taste beyond more yeast. Gets slightly richer as it warms, but also gets w-a-a-a-y too boozy. Pass. For a good American scotch ale, visit Founders.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 02:09:27 | More by gfreed

theghost3

Louisiana

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

Poured a translucent dark brown with a slight beige head. I expected the head to be a little fuller, but the keg may have been kept at a temperature that was too low. Minimal lacing.

The smell is wood and grain with a hint of spice, rather subtle. Flavor is wood with toasted nuts and sweet caramel malt and a touch of tobacco. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, balanced with a dry finish.

This a pretty good brew. It's not as in-your-face as many in the Wee Heavy category. The wood and sweet caramel cover up a lot of the alcohol, so you've got to keep in mind the ABV. Goes well with grilled mushrooms or ham.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2011 19:26:26 | More by theghost3

dalri

California

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Smells super sweet like a burnt marshmallow, or sort of butterscotchy. I was expecting that kind of caramelized flavor, but it was overwhelmingly flavored with peaty malts - which I liked, but wasn't expecting to quite this extent. Very mineral, almost dirt flavor with the malts - couldn't really taste any hoppy flavors in it.

It felt maybe a little syrupy in my mouth as it got warmer, but that could have been just a salivary response to the harsh, almost astringent peat, I dunno.

Drink this expecting the aftertaste of a nice scotch, but I really couldn't imagine drinking more than a couple in a session as it gets to be a bit much over time. All the same, a very impressive beer if peat is what you want to taste.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 05:02:00 | More by dalri

theboozecruise

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at the Londoner in Baton Rouge.

The beer came out in a pint glass... not much head but that's to be expected from a bar pour. It's a reddish brown color, not bad.

The aroma is malty with hints of dark fruit and vanilla, very nice.

The taste is about as expected... very malty with caramel and coffee notes to it, not a lot of 'scotch' flavor but still a damn fine beer and one I'd order again.

Overall this is probably my favorite beer on tap at this bar, so I'd definitely have more of it... I'd like to try it again in the bottle as well.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2011 19:57:48 | More by theboozecruise

righthereisay

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ordered on draft at Mad Mex in Pittsburgh.

Came in a nice glass, very nice looking. Nice and creamy head.

The smell was one of the best. I ranked it 5.0. For smell, this was great. Can't pinpoint the smell, but maybe fruit and pine. Nice and sharp.

I really couldn't recognize the high alcohol content. The first thing I thought was it was a cross between a cider and a beer. Nutty, fruity, toffee, nice body, not bitter. I was pleasantly surprised.

Drinkability...you could drink these all night. But since it is 8%, most would pass out about an hour into the night.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 23:03:10 | More by righthereisay

charlzm

California

2.63/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Consumed at Tony's Darts Away, Burbank, CA on December 21st, 2010. Labeled on menu as "barrel-aged" with no information regarding barrel type.

Beer is a rusty caramel with a thin head that barely covers. Mostly clear, a bit hazy.

Aroma is of scotch whiskey and caramel malt. Fairly subdued.

Flavor is somewhat weak, with a dominant smoky wood flavor (probably from a whiskey or bourbon barrel). Sweeter than I would like. The caramel malt and fruity character I normally associate with this beer is there, but watered down or faded. Some bitterness on finish, more woody than hoppy.

Mouthfeel is thin, more watery than expected.

Not a successfully barrel aged beer, in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2010 20:12:25 | More by charlzm

TheLVBeerGuy

Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a dark amber with almost no head but the white lace border

S- releases nutty notes like a brown or a stout but gives off the hoppy sweetness of a pale ale.

T- nice strong earthy hop flavor. a bit "herby" to me

M- strong fight with the pallet here. not particularly good

D- its a mediocre beer...probably would not refuse a bottle, but definitely wouldnt go out of my way to get one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2010 08:29:32 | More by TheLVBeerGuy

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store Pub. Pours a beautiful glowing reddish/orange amber with little head. Smells sweet and malty and firm with a nice Horlick's aroma and a touch of a maple syrup. Tastes firm and dry, but with that typical Scotch ale syrupy malt flavor, a little spicy, and with some underlying fruit. Firm, and smooth in the mouth. Pretty nice.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2010 14:45:20 | More by Georgiabeer

Halcyondays

California

3.35/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood BBQ,

A: Pours a deep amber with a pillowy off-white head, leaving a lot of lace.

S: Definite caramel, peat, standard Scotch ale.

T: Has the traditional peaty strong malt flavour, but then gets real earthy mid-palate with hops. A good flavour, just too hoppy for the style.

M: Smooth, alcoholic as the style should be, medium/full body.

D: A good effort, this beer is well priced and is easily available, but it is definitely the Americanized version of Wee Heavy. You're not getting Belhaven here.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2010 02:01:34 | More by Halcyondays

impending

California

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

At the source.

Surface only off white head, slightly more when served from a bottle. Rich dark copper amber hue. This color in a scotch ale usually means good things. Nice lacing after each sip.

Strong malt aroma with caramel & butterscotch followed by mild roast. Mild carbonation with excellent mouth feel, feels thicker than it is.

Excellent smooth flavor with lots of dominating malts followed by minor hops rounding out but perhaps a bit more hops than most scotch ales. Little lingering bitterness. I expected alcohol to be obvious but it is fully hidden in the flavor. Brendan says this is his flagship brew and who am I to disagree !

Most Excellent - Outstanding

cheers
jd

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2010 00:29:40 | More by impending

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.03/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

What a sweet scotch ale! Pours mahoganny brown, good swirl effect, a natural earth wood smell, with a hint of coy sugar.

Taste, again, very sweet, not a malt bomb or overly heavy Scotch ale, even though it clocks in at 8%. Lots cf toffee/caramel may be the cover for the alcohol. True to style, not much in hops or bitterness. Mouthfeel you get a little used to it, but at the same time, it isn't going to leave you clammoring for more.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2009 23:19:41 | More by Beerandraiderfan

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Moylan's on 7/19/09.

A - Clear orange/copper body with one-finger creamy beige head that settled into a thin ring of retention and left spotty lace around the glass.

S - Dark caramel and toffee malt notes right off the bat, followed by subtle tangy dark fruit and light alcohol notes. A hint of earthy, herbal tea-like hops emerge in the background.

T - Rich and malty with tons of caramel and toffee malt sweetness. Some molasses, brown sugar and maple syrup also enters the fold. Hops make an appearance in the backend with a light earthy, herbal character akin to black tea. Finishes with a burnt sugar character.

M - Medium body with a syrupy, chewy texture and soft carbonation. Sweet on the palate with just a smidgen of hop bitterness.

D - Very good Scotch ale with a ton of malt character and enough of a hop presence to keep the malt from getting heavy-handed.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2009 02:43:01 | More by ffejherb

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Slightly hazed, dark amber body with a very thin, off-white head (they did generously fill my glass).

Smell: First, it's fruit, with esters delivering notes of dried cherry, golden raisins, and plums. Also, there's a mild scent of lightly grainy bread dunked in alcohol.

Taste: Without delay, without so much as a "hi", it's sweetish, bready, and fruity. A mouthful of fruitcake springs to mind. Lesser hints of steeped grain and a bite of caramel emerge. It's a continuous sweetish fruitiness until the drying finish punctuated briefly by a faint touch of bitterness and some lightly peppery alcohol hints.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Politely put, it's a fine, serviceable scotch ale that's more wee than heavy, leaving me wanting for a more hearty malt backbone. For the time being, I'll be reaching for a 90 Shelling instead.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2009 16:33:46 | More by ChainGangGuy

webmanspidey

Michigan

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Fatheads in Pittsburgh. Dark brown with a creamy head. Smells and tastes of scotch whiskey, smoked wood, and some sort of licorice taste. This is a style that I've always found kind of strange, but it is a solid beer with a lot of different dark flavors. A lot of alcohol, and not really sessionable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2008 03:34:43 | More by webmanspidey

IronCitySteve

Pennsylvania

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

I had the last beer from the keg, so they may have an impact.

A: A dark amber color. Gives a slight tan head did not last too long. Decent lacing.

S: A strong malt aroma with some grape, caramel and spice aromas.

T: It is sweet with a hint of plums or grape taste.

M: A medium bodied smooth beer.

D: Easy to drink, a higher ABV at 8% keeps me from drinking more than one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2008 11:31:03 | More by IronCitySteve

baiser

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I really enjoyed this ale from Moylan's. It pours a pretty thick, dark copper colour with a thin head. Thick and syrupy appearance. Lots of caramel and sugar in the nose. Also fruity and toasty. Mouthfeel is very smooth. Taste was a medley of sweet caramel malts, with some fruity flavours and an earthy touch. Aftertaste is sweet and alcoholic. Would've liked some smokiness to it. Overall, pretty good.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2005 20:05:35 | More by baiser

rastaman

United Kingdom (England)

1.78/5  rDev -52.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Bottle. Yipes, super sweet and sticky. Kahlua, peat, with a hit of soy. Malty and very sweet. The flavour was one dimentionally sweet. Perhaps scotch ales aren't my favourite style, but i didn't like this one in particular. Moylans made some other styles which i preffered much more.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2005 20:37:33 | More by rastaman

SeanChouffe

New Mexico

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A light brown/mahogany color, hazy, with a tan/yellow head (that dies quickly). Light sticky lacing. Aroma is of malt and caramel, fresh and grassy. Flavor is sweet and malty with a light tart/dry hoppiness. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied and effervescent with a dominant sweetness and a well-balanced, light hop finish. A different representation of a Scotch Ale, and not over-hopped. Worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2004 03:20:06 | More by SeanChouffe

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served in the 22 oz. bomber, into a pint glass. The color is amber, with a foamy white head. The smell is a nice caramel-ish malt. The taste is a strong maltiness, with quite a bit of a buttery taste to it, and just the slightest bit of hops and a fairly strong alcohol, and in general just not fairly balanced. Mouthfeel is average. As for drinkability, probably wouldn't have too many more.

Well, just not a great Scotch Ale...just doesn't seem to have the right maltiness and balance for the style. Still, I'm glad I tried it, but I just wouldn't have this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2004 02:13:22 | More by beergeek279

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a bomber this poured a slightly hazed amber/ruby color. Huge and everlasting frothy head topped the beer off. The head looks like Swiss cheese. Highly carbonated. The aroma gives off a slightly sweet maltiness, with soft caramelized malts and a slight smokiness. The taste has lightly caramelized malts in the forefront with a pleasant peat-like smokiness and some fermented fruits following just behind. Nice malt tang in this one. Medium to full bodied and full of soft and sweet flavors. Surely enjoyable. 4’s across the board.

Serving type: on-tap

04-03-2004 13:33:10 | More by pezoids