12 oz. loose bottle, $1.59 at Binny’s. Thick grainy and peaty smell out of the bottle. Poured in a shaker glass, there’s a deep brown body with few highlights. A tan, foamy head. Smell in glass is slightly grainy, not much sweetness, and a bit of spice from that heather thingie. Again, not much sweetness to taste, just some solid barley which can’t help but be a little grainy, plus somewhat earthy. I’ve had too few heather beers to be able to describe the taste, just a bit of leafy herb, I guess. I also find most Scotch ales hide their alcohol well, and this one is no exception. May 2: Just found out this is my 1,500th American beer rating! And while crappy foreign-owned macrobrews may dominate the US market, they are as nothing compared to the thousands of great local brews being made upon this shore. To my brothers overseas I say, the world may be focused upon the Cup in South Africa this summer, but when that’s done (and the US team has made its usual "good sport" showing), I hope you’ll all come visit us for the incredible variety of good beers from thousands of small American brewers. Yet, I hope to visit as many overseas small brewers as I can, if ever given the chance!

12oz bottle at the DC Local tasting. Translucent copper, brown body, wispy white head. Nice, inviting aroma, caramel, a little peat, cookie dough. Sweet, sugary aroma, caramel, chocolate, root beer. Full bodied, sweet finish.

12oz bottle. Deep chestnut amber-brown color, stained glass translucency. Thin patchy head. Roasty dark malt toffee aroma, with some chocolate edges. The taste is rich and malt centered. It’s mild hops leave a nice sandiness and balance the rich and sweetness of the malt. Some dark fruit flavors, a touch of raisin or fig. The reasonably high alcohol and the heather add a nice warming effect in the finish. Smooth, mildly carbonated. Complex and tasty, a pretty good take on the style.