Renaissance Brewing Company's Stonecutter Scotch Ale was a treat. Hailing from Marlborough, New Zealand and sold in 500mL bottles, it boasts a meaty 7.0% alcohol content. Stonecutter pours a muddy brown colour with rusty highlights and is barely transparent. There is a thick tan head that persists like a frothy cap. The ale is slightly carbonated but leaves behind lots of lace.
Stonecutter is a strong-smelling ale. There are notes of caramel, brown sugar and raisins. The taste starts bitter, but quickly becomes malty and sweet. There are warm, comfortable flavours of caramel and raisin. The mouthfeel is best described as buttery. The aftertaste remains sweet, but is also a touch smokey.
I have mixed feelings about the Scotch Ale style. I find many "wee heavies" too sweet, too malty. However, Stonecutter was an extremely enjoyable pint. It's certainly malty, but it features a rounder and more nuanced flavour than other Scotch ales I've tried. Definitely worth a go.
Rating: 9.0 out of 10.
No comments:
Post a Comment