Long Trail Hibernator

Seems like it's been a while since I had a new beer -- or any beer, really -- so I thought I'd indulge a bit.  Last night, I grabbed another bottle of Long Trail out of my keezer.  This time, I went for the Hibernator:

Vittles:

Scottish Export 80/-

5.8% abv

35 IBUs

Score:

Appearance: 8/10

Aroma: 21/25

Taste: 37/40

Mouthfeel: 8/10

Style: 2/5

Drinkability: 8/10

Overall: 84/100

Impression:

I was expecting a clearer, brighter appearance, since I didn't realize this is an unfiltered beer.  The aroma tips toward the malty side and are grainy, toasty, and bready, with some sweet grassy and caramel flavors mixed in.  The taste is much the same, but it has some added complexity with an earthy bitterness, too.  The medium body is well-suited for the season this beer is available.  What I liked best about this beer is how the flavors change and become better balanced as the beer warms.

I really don't know why Long Trail calls this a Scottish Ale.  I'm not sure how I would classify it, but it hits very few of the characteristics of Scottish Ales.  I kind of think it'd be more appropriate as a winter warmer, but even that's a little iffy for me.  Not that it isn't a tasty beer, but it's not what I was expecting out of a Scottish Ale.

Cheers!

Erie Railbender Ale

So, Erie's Railbender Ale made its way to my fridge free of charge.  Apparently, some Coors representative (not sure on this point -- this is basically like a big game of telephone) dropped it off at my husband's barber shop, for some reason I'm not too clear on, but the barber doesn't drink beer, so he was going to just throw it away.  Enter my husband, who thankfully saved the beer from such a fate.  And so, I got to try another beer.  But I was kind enough to share the wealth with my husband and a friend of ours:

Vittles:

Scottish Ale

6.8% abv

26 IBUs

Score:

Appearance: 9/10

Aroma: 23/25

Taste: 38/40

Mouthfeel: 9/10

Style: 5/5

Drinkability: 9/10

Overall: 93/100

Impression:

I was pretty impressed -- it's creamy, rich, and full-flavored.  The head didn't persist very long, despite the decent levels of effervescence.  The first whiff smells of caramel and toffee, with a hint of breadiness in the background.  There's also a nutty character in both the aroma and the flavor that I find very enjoyable.  Caramel and toffee also follow nicely into the flavor, and there's a slight hoppiness on the back end, but the focus is primarily on the malt.  Medium mouthfeel, plenty of carbonation, and a moderately dry finish all improve the experience of this beer.  It's insanely smooth and drinkable.  I could get into trouble with this beer.

Cheers!