About me:I'm clearing out the deadwood from my COT. So, with my chopper in hand...
Member since:12.06.2002
Reviews:532
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Review rated by 29 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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Based in Edinburgh, Scottish Courage was formed in 1995 when Scottish and Newcastle, after many years of acquiring several smaller breweries, took control of Courage. Scottish Courage is now the leading brewer in the UK and one of the biggest in Europe. Living where I do, I was practically weaned on McEwan's beer and let me tell you, McEwan's cask conditioned 80/- is probably the best beer in the world...forget what Carlsberg say in their ads!
Of course this opinion is about McEwan's Export Ale. And, by a strange co-incidence, this is an ale brewed mainly for export. It is not a widely popular ale in Scotland. Fowler's Wee Heavy would be the most popular in this style.
On with the opinion.......
* THE POUR *
The ale pours to a very deep, almost black, dark brown with just the meerest hint of crimson red and a foamy, off-white head that is quite short lived but leaves a wispy trace all the way down the glass. The aroma is of deep malt with strong alcohol evidence but, as this is a very complex beer there are a vast array of different aromas all contesting for dominance; woody, smoky and hoppy - vine fruit is noticable with a lot of plums and molasses, but overall having the sensation of a sweet malty beer.
* The Taste *
It’s not as heavy as you would expect from such a full bodied offering. The mouthfeel is soft, smooth as satin, and foamy with a slight carbonation. Very rich and predominantly malty with a touch of caramel, and a rich soft fruitiness. A little chocolate, some molasses, butterscotch and......This should be wrapped in foil with a warning from the dentist! There is also a sherry-like flavour to this brew, perhaps that is because of the substantial alcohol content - 8% ABV.
* THE VERDICT *
Very rich, very smooth, very tasty but not to be trifled with. McEwan's Scotch Ale is a strong, very full bodied beer that packs quite a punch. It creeps up on you quite gently, hidden as it is behind it's veil of sweetness. Foods of the substantial and hearty variety; stews, casseroles, meat pies and strong cheeses compliment the complexity of McEwan's Scotch Ale best.
In Scotland a favourite way to drink a wee heavy, which is what this beer is, essentially - is to drink an inch or so of a normal pint of heavy (80/-), and continually top up your pint with the wee heavy.
A good ale for sipping whilst warming yourself by the fireside, or by the method above. Whatever.
McEwan's Export ale is widely available in most supermarkets and bottleshops at around £1.40 for a 500ml bottle.
Must be something to do with living in Scotland for 4 years, I got to quite like this stuff - I always have a can or two when I go back to Blighty nowadays :-)
26.09.2002 15:40
Must be something to do with living in Scotland for 4 years, I got to quite like this stuff - I always have a can or two when I go back to Blighty nowadays :-)
24.06.2002 23:30
Lovely layout of a great op. K:) xx
24.06.2002 23:11
Suddenly I am thirsty. Bet this ale will solve it if I had this right now. Avril