With the rise of independent micro-breweries across Scotland, we look at some of the most intriguingly named beers.
1. Sheepshaggers Gold
Made by: Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore
Strength: 4.5% ABV
Selling point: “The Best Beer Baa None.”
2. Nessie’s Monster Mash
Made by: Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore
Strength: 4.4 % ABV
Selling point: “A predominantly malty, lightly hopped beer giving a satisfying fullness of flavour with a warming finish. A glass or two is a must before seeking an audience with the monster.”
3. Santa's Swallie
Made by: Inveralmond Brewery, Perth
Strength: 4.3%
Selling point: “A dark copper coloured Christmas ale, traditionally hopped with Fuggles and a hint of seasonal nutmeg and cinnamon.”
4. Terror of Tobermory
Isle of Mull Brewery Company, Oban
Strength: 4.6%
Selling point: "We have tried to put emphasis on local history in our products in order to highlight the beauty and tradition of our area."
5. Ladeout
Made by: Lade Real Ales, Callander
Strength: 5.1%
Selling point: “A robust and satisfying dark ale with a complex flavour of dark chocolate and liquorice that is rewarding on the palate.”
6. Kilt Lifter IPA
Made by: Oban Bay Brewery, Oban
Strength: 3.9% ABV
Selling point: “Has a wee hoppy and bitter bite but smoothed out with caramel and malt on the finish. Lovely all on its own or with supper.”
7. Double Espresso
Made by: Traditional Scottish Ales Brewing Co, Stirling
Strength: 6 % ABV
Selling point: “Double Espresso is a premium beer, brewed to the highest quality. Rich, dark and stylish with a taste that lives up to the promise of its welcoming aroma.”
8. Simmer Dim
Made by: The Valhalla Brewery, Shetland
Strength: 4 % ABV
Selling point: “Its name comes from the Shetland dialect for that hauntingly beautiful twilight time at midsummer when darkness never descends on these isles – the sun sets, only to rise again just minutes later.”
9. Seven Giraffes
Made by: William Bros, Alloa
Strength: 5.1 % ABV
Selling point: “It was named by (co-owner) Scott’s daughter. It pours a deep gold with aromas of elderflower and citrus hops, followed by sweet caramel."
10. Skull Splitter
Made by: Orkney Ales, Skara Brae, Orkney
Selling point: 8.5%
Selling point: “Very best pale ale malt – and plenty of it – together with crystal and chocolate malts provide a rich, fruity backbone which is perfectly balanced by the spicy herbal character of East Kent Goldings hops.”
11. Dead Pony Club
Made by: Brew Dog, Aberdeenshire
Strength: 3.8% ABV
Selling point: “This pale ale is chopped, tuned and ready to roll. Fuel up and hold tight, this little thoroughbred kicks like a mule.”
12. Tactical Nuclear Penguin
Made by: Brew Dog, Aberdeenshire
Selling point: 32%
Selling point: “We continued to push boundaries and smash people's perceptions of what beer can be by brewing the world's strongest ever beer.”
13. Ginger Rodent
Made by: Cairngorm Brewery, Aviemore
Strength: 4.5%
Selling point: "Full marks to Danny Alexander for joining in the fun. I don't know if he can get it into the bars in the House of Commons but it would be a nice addition."
14. Armageddon
Made by: Brewmeister, Aberdeenshire
Strength: 65 % ABV
Selling point: “world’s strongest beer.”
15. Berserker
Made by: Hebridean Brewing Company, Stornoway
Strength: 7.5% ABV
Selling point: “A real India pale ale based on 150 year old recipes. Light in colour but strong in flavour.”
16. Scottish Joker IPA
Strength: 5% ABV
Made by: William Bros, Alloa
Selling point: “There's at least one in every pack and this is our very own agent of chaos. Joker IPA is Bitter/Sweet, full of flavour and is sure to put a smile on your face.”
17. Bitter and Twisted
Made by: Harviestoun Brewery, Clackmannanshire
Strength: 4.2% ABV
Selling point: “Bitter & Twisted was allegedly named after our brewer’s wife. A refreshingly lively blonde beer with a tingly, lemony finish, it goes down a whole lot better than his little joke did.”
18. Radical Road
Made by: Stewart Brewing, Edinburgh
Strength: 6.4% ABV
Selling point: “Three different hops are added to the kettle at five different stages during the boil. This makes for the highest hopped beer in the Stewart Brewing repertoire and of course some very hoppy beer!”
19. Raj IPA
Made by: Tryst Brewery, Falkirk
Strength: 5.5% ABV
Selling point: “This IPA is hopped with three popular British hops to produce a deep lingering taste, complementing the underlying malts for a memorable pint.”
20. Goldeneye IPA
Made by: Black Isle Organic Brewery, Black Isle
Strength: 5.6% ABV
Selling point: “full body and rich gold colour comes from a blend of wheat, pale ale and crystal malts. Its floral and lime citrus nose is created by the extensive use of carefully selected New World aroma hops. “
21. Young Pretender
Made by: Isle of Skye Brewing Company, Isle of Skye
Strength: 4% ABV
Selling point: “Produced to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the ending of the Jacobite Rising, Young Pretender is the driest and hoppiest Skye ale.”
22. Blonde Bombshell
Made by: Houston Brewing Company, Johnstone
Strength: ABV 4%
Selling point: “A clean and refreshing beer with a light hoppy flavour, fresh hop and fruit zest aroma, and a passionfruit finish.”
23. Three Sisters
Made by: Atlas, Kinlochleven
Strength: 4.2% ABV
Selling point: “Taking its name from a series of mountain ridges in Glencoe in western Scotland, Three Sisters is a reddish brown colour with a light and crisp aroma, citrusy with a hint of caramel in the background.”
24. Independence
Made by: Inveralmond Brewery (Perth)
Strength: 3.8% ABV
Selling point: “Independence is a state of mind. It is a classic, full bodied and malty beer with subtle hints of mixed fruits and punches of spice.”
25. Cart Noir
Made by: Kelburn Brewing Company, East Renfrewshire
Strength: 4.8% ABV
Selling point: “A unique combination of 5 malts and 3 hops producing a smooth, dark, spicy porter with hints of chocolate and blackcurrant.”
26. Cart Blanche
Made by: Kelburn Brewing Company, East Renfrewshire Strength: 5% ABV Selling point: “Named after Paisley’s river, White Cart Water, this golden full-bodied ale boasts smacks of flavour.”
27. Old Mortality
Made by: Strathaven Ales, Strathaven
Strength: 3.5% ABV
Selling point: “Old Mortality is a Scottish 80/- style ale brewed with Scottish malted barley and hopped with English First Gold and American Cascade hop varieties.”
28. A Face with No Name
Made by: Tempest Brewing Company, Kelso
Strength: 6% ABV
Selling point: “We couldn’t buy the toasted malt we were looking for in this beer so we made our own. Then we mature it for ages on big spicey hops and drink as much of it as we can.”
29. St Mungo
Made by: West Brewery, Glasgow
Strength: 4.9% ABV
Selling point: “This is a clean and crisp amber-coloured lager beer with a distinctive malt sweetness and subtle hop bitterness, including refreshing notes of vanilla and citrus.”
30. Seggie Porter
Made by: The Eden Brewery (St Andrews)
Strength: 5.5% ABV
Selling point: “This is based on a classic recipe for porter which dates from the 17th Century. It includes a blend of pale, chocolate, black and Munich malt along with roasted barley and of course the more unusual brown malt.”
31. California Common
Made by: Knops Beer Company, East Lothian
Strength: 4.6% ABV
Selling point: “Initial malt sweetness balanced by bitterness, light toffee notes followed by a lingering secondary bitterness hit that is refreshing rather than overwhelming. Perfect with spicy foods and barbeque.”
32. Old Jock
Made by: Broughton Ales, Biggar
Strength: 6.7% ABV
Selling point: “Full-bodied and warming with the characteristic fruity flavour associated with strong beers. The balance to the sweetness of the alcohol is created by the use of an excellent hop bitterness.”
33. March of the Penguins
Made by: William Bros, Alloa
Strength: 5% ABV
Selling point: “This creamy dark stout, deep chocolate in colour has a nose of roast malts, coffee, licorice & orange peel. Sure to get you marching again on those cold winter evenings.”
34. David’s Not So Bitter
Made by: Spey Valley Brewery, Keith
Strength: 4.4% ABV
Selling point: “Brewing in a shed near the Spey since 2007!”
35. Sporran Lifter
Made by: Andrews Ales, Cummertrees
Strength: 5.2% ABV
Selling point: “Malty, slightly hoppy with a bit of citrus.”
36. Cairnpapple IPA
Made by: Alechemy Brewing Ltd, Livingston
Strength: 4.1% ABV
Selling point: “A floral aroma leading to a pleasant lingering citrus taste.”
37. Brewed Awakening Coffee Infused Stout
Made by: Cromarty Brewing Co, Cromarty
Strength: 4.2 % ABV
Selling point: “Goes great with chocolate cake.”
38. MòR Tea, Vicar?
Made by: MoR Brewing Ltd, Tayside
Strength: 3.8% ABV
Selling point: “With a malty, fruity aroma and a pronounced bitter finish, this is a well-balanced, refreshing session beer. I don't think the vicar will be drinking tea after one of these!
39. Vital Spark
Made by: Fyne Ales, Cairndow, Aryll
Strength: 4.4% ABV
Selling point: “A very dark ale with a glorious reddish glow. A full bodied ale which is rich in taste with a dry finish.”
40. Jolly Beggars Best Bitter
Made by: Ayr Brewing Company, Ayr
Strength: 4.2%
Selling point: “a malty backbone and the flavours of toffee, fruit and citrus hops.”
41. Hibernator Oatmeal Stout
Made by: Black Isle Organic, Black Isle
Strength: 7% ABV
Selling point: “In the mouth you will experience espresso, fruit, liquorice and delight. Match it with vanilla cheesecake and your life will be complete.”
42. Arran Brewery Dug
Made by: Arran Brewery, Isle of Arran
Strength: 5.5% ABV
Selling point: “IPA with attitude.”
43. William Wallace
Made by: TSA Brewing Co, Stirling
Strength: 4.5% ABV
Selling point: “This 80/- is dark and rewarding with a slightly sweet and satisfying taste. Lightly hopped with a hint of caramel on the palette and a satisfying aftertaste.”
44. Beet Red Beer
Made by: Barney’s beer, Edinburgh
Strength: 4% ABV
Selling point: “You can’t beet red beer.”
45. Due South Pale Ale
Made by: Strathbraan Brewery, Tayside
Strength: 3.8%
Selling point: “Citrus flavours with a refreshing bitterness to the aftertaste.”
46. Caer Edin Dark Ale
Made by: Kinneil Brew Hoose, Bo’ness
Strength: 4.2% ABV
Selling point: “A dark, ruby porter style beer.”
47. The Ale of Leven
Made by: Loch Lomond Brewery, Alexandria
Strength: 4.5% ABV
Selling point: “Spicy aroma and a full-rounded bitterness.”
48. Fife Gold
Made by: St Andrews Brewing Company, Fife
Strength: 4.2% ABV
Selling point: “A beautifully balanced and refreshing ale.”
49. Kelpie seaweed beer
Made by: William Bros, Alloa
Strength: 4.4% ABV
Selling point: “Dark, rich ale, with a hint of seaside saltiness in the finish.”
50. Dragonhead Stout
Made by: The Orkney Brewery
Strength: 4% ABV
Selling point: “Dragonhead is a legendary stout: dark, intense and fully-flavoured, it is our tribute to the Vikings and their cultural legacy in Orkney.”
The Herald and Sunday Herald will hold their first craft beer event at Citation in Glasgow on Sunday, March 24.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 12.30pm, are £30 per person and include an arrival drink, one course lunch andsampling of tenScottish beers.
To reserve your place call 0141 302 7407 or 0141 302 7319 or email lyndsay.wilson@heraldandtimes.co.uk. Further information can be found on www.herald-events.com/beer
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