Islay Ales

Microbrewery in Bridgend, Argyll and Bute, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Established in 2004

Contact
Islay House Square, Bridgend, PA44 7NZ, Scotland
Description
Islay Ales was founded by Paul Hathaway, Paul Capper and Walter Schobert in 2004. The brewery has a 4 barrel brewing plant that produces all their ales in cask and bottle-conditioned format; therefore, the beers are never pasteurised or filtered.

In July 2018 Donald MacKenzie and Mackay Smith - ''The Islay Boys'' - took over the brewery with one goal in mind: to reconquer the hearts and minds - and tastebuds! - of the good people of Islay, and of course the many visitors to the island, by brewing straightforward, taste-upfront beers. We rely on experience, taste and aroma to guide our brewing process.

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6.6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Bottle from Scottish Real Ale shop. Clear golden colour, white head. Aroma is slightly fruity and spicy. Flavour is malty, dry, some citrus, a bit of rubber. Slightly bitter and fairly dry finish.

Tried from Bottle on 15 Aug 2011 at 14:54


6.5
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle from Scottish Real Ale shop. Dark brown colour, large foamy head. Nose is yeasty, caramel, fruits. Flavour is soft malty, fruity, caramel and a bit yeasty. Soft finish. Pretty ok.

Tried from Bottle on 12 Aug 2011 at 08:54


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Bottled, from The Scottish Real Ale Shop, Kilmahog. Black, firm head. Aroma of dark chocolate and coffee. Dryish with solid body and well rounded mouthfeel. Lightly peaty with lots of espresso and dark chocolate. Salmiak bitter finish. Tasty stuff!

Tried from Bottle on 12 Aug 2011 at 00:27


7
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Hazy dark orange colour, large foamy off-white head. Nose is lots of yeast, spices, citrus, orange, wood. Flavour is light malted, yeasty, spicy, oranges. Medium carbonated. Quite odd, more like a Belgian ale, but well done nonetheless.

Tried on 04 Aug 2011 at 14:24


6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Bottle from the Scottish Real Ale shop. Slightly hazy copper colour, white head. Nose is caramel malts, sweet fruits, a bit flowery. Flavour is sweet malted, fruits, bit of orange peel. Slightly bitter finish.

Tried from Bottle on 01 Aug 2011 at 11:39


7
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle from Scottish Real Ale shop. Black colour, foamy tan head. Nose is roasted malts, chocolate, bit of laurel. Flavour is roasted malts, chocolate, bit of sour fruits, slightly burnt malts. Medium carbonated. Very dry and long roasty finish. Pretty ok.

Tried from Bottle on 29 Jul 2011 at 12:39


7
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Bottle from Scottish Real Ale shop. Clear golden colour, white head. Nose is dry, fairly hoppy, citric and a bit of pine. Flavour is malty, bitter hopped, citric, bit of sourness. Quite bitter and dry finish. Medium bodied. Well hopped overall, giving it a good edge.

Tried from Bottle on 28 Jul 2011 at 11:57


6.9
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Hazy golden with a big, white head. Aroma dominated by fruit, pineapple in particular, with a yeasty note. Dry and fruity flavour with a hoppy and quite bitter finish.

Tried on 06 Dec 2010 at 13:23


6.5
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Black with a lasting tan head. Aroma of dark chocolate, roasted malt and fruit. Thinnish roasted flavour with a fruity touch

Tried on 04 Dec 2010 at 12:52


6.9
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Dark copper with a big off-white head. Fruity aroma with malt and caramel. Dry and malty flavour with fruity notes

Tried on 04 Dec 2010 at 12:51