McEwan's Scotch Ale

This is a 8.0% ABV Scotch ale from McEwan's of Edinburgh, Scotland. They are now owned, brewed and bottled by Wells & Young's of Bedford, UK. I lived in Edinburgh in 1992-1993 and almost all the beer was either by McEwan's or by Tennents.  They were kind of like the Anheuser-Busch and Miller-Coors of Scotland (but with much better beer). I was partial to the McEwan's 80 shilling "heavy" at the time. When the wind was right, Edinburgh was filled with the malty, sweet potato smell of its breweries.

The beer pours nearly black in color, very dark brown and lots of ruby. There is nearly an inch of light tan head, a bit creamy, not long lasting. The aroma is sweet, yet tangy, dark fruits, caramel, a whiff of peat smoke. The taste follows the aromas, hitting all of the same notes, lightly smokey, turning herbal, with almost a root beer effect. The beer drinks smooth, sweet, but never cloying.