Stodgy Brewing Company Scottish Ale

“Decadent aroma of brownies, ruby port, figs, and brandy. Luscious taste profile with layers of burnt sugar, maraschino cherries, vanilla, dried dates, and a touch of cinnamon. Alcohol is big and bold, but not hot or harsh. Full-bodied and sweet, but not quite cloying.”

**Aroma:** “Gingerbread, dry chocolate, earthy, and spiced. Pie cherries and a bit of candied citrus. Bright floral hops, moderate nutty malt, very light oxidation, touch of earthy, touch of coffee.” **Flavor:** “The balance definitely veers toward the rich malt character of dark caramel, toasted bread crust, dark chocolate, and even sweetened coffee. Tart cherries and herbal hops notes. Bitterness is well-balanced with the substantial malt base. Dark fruit, leather, and tobacco as it warms. Some hints of vanilla. Prominent warming that provides a nice effect.” **Overall:** “This sits heavily on the tongue and delivers waves of malt complexity. Dark fruit, leather, and tobacco set the stage for a surprisingly drinkable ale, given the heft. A few hints of brightness add complexity, but the focus remains decidedly on the malt. Enjoyable, the roast and chocolate are nice with the spice. Alcohol warmth adds to this beer.”

**Aroma:** “Big dark chocolate and coffee aroma. Big plum, dates, moderate cherry, light acidity, moderate caramel, light umami, light earthy hops, some brown sugar notes. A backbone of bready malt. I’m sitting by the fire with a snifter of...not barleywine, but this beer. Rich malt complexity with sherry, dried figs, and raisins, and warming alcohol. More caramel than roast, but the coffee and chocolate are there.” **Flavor:** “Lovely complex malt sweetness—like chocolate-covered Fig Newtons, or maple syrup, with a touch of earthy hops to help balance. Like a shot of strong expresso, no cream. Complex and deep, but a bit intense so sessionable is not part of this section. Big cherry, light plum, big chocolate, moderate coffee, light hops bitterness, touch of alcohol, moderate caramel. Aftertaste: big chocolate, touch of coffee, light bitterness. Starts out like a thinner-bodied barleywine, but the hops and roast bitterness crack that illusion. The promise from the nose is here, but it doesn't quite mesh as well in the flavor because the lingering hops and slight astringency add some harshness. Hops flavor is as big as the roast. Sherry, malt, dried fruit and esters are still nice, though.” **Overall:** “Very tasty, but could use a bit more carbonation to help the flavors pop. Love the fruitiness. Fun dark-fruit dominated imperial stout. The chocolate, caramel, and roast notes are present throughout with just enough hops to balance. It is fairly well carbonated, but that works to bring out the brighter fruit notes. The nose had me, but the flavor not so much.”