Three More Beer Ratings...

Sampled a pair of scotch ales; Skull Splitter via Orkey, the island of Highland Park fame and Church Key Holy Smoke of Campbellford, Ontario.  The former was a strong scotch ale, very true to style, and the latter was a peat smoked scotch ale.  Also the Winter Treacle, a brown porter from oak aged beer specialists Innis & Gunn.

Orkney Skull Splitter:

330 mL bottle. Pours a red tinged dark copper color with a thin tan head that doesn’t last too long. Nice lacing. Cereal on the nose, bread, straw and caramel malt. Mildly sweet, with a pleasant bitterness, well balanced, medium carbonation and good mouth feel. A good scotch ale.

Church Key Holy Smoke:

650 mL bottle. Pours a very dark brown, almost black with a good two finger white head, decent retention. Aromas of campfire, graphite and charred meat. Almost saline seeming, smoky and surprisingly dry. Actually quite light on the palate with good carbonation and a peaty finish. Interesting stuff, not overwhelming

I&G Winter Treacle Porter:

330 mL bottle. Pours a dark amber, looks light for a porter. A finger of beige head dissipates quick with minimal lacing. Aromas of malted wheat, molasses. Oak and vanilla on the palate with a touch of hops, dry cherries and a bit of cola. Medium carbonation and body. Slighty sweet finish.

As always, look for me on ratebeer.com!

http://www.ratebeer.com/user/169526/ratings/