Williams Bros Scottish Heavy Eighty Shilling Ale

This is a 4.2% ABV Scottish Heavy or Eighty Shilling beer from Williams Bros Brewing of Kelliebank, Alloa, Scotland. Beers in Scotland were taxed on their strength, and what beer you ordered 70, 80, or 90 shilling, gave a relative idea of the strength of the beer. 

The beer pours a very dark chestnut brown with hints of ruby and garnet. There is nearly an inch of foamy light brown head. The aroma light notes of rich, dark roasted malt, throwing off light coffee and dark cocoa, with a mineral/metallic tang. The taste follows the aromas directly, with the dark roasted malt even more pronounced in the flavor with that tangy mineral finish. Toasted and nutty notes linger in the aftertaste. It drinks easy, slightly smooth, with a carbonation both intense, yet subtle. A tasty one to throw back at the pub.

Information about the history of the Shilling system for naming beer can be found HERE.