Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch-Style Ale, a regular offering from Moylan’s Brewery, poured a heavily carbonated bright orange into the glass, topped with a huge, short lived caramel head. The nose was malty and earthy, and seemed to lead more towards an American whiskey than the peaty Scotch notes I usually associate with the style.
Kilt Lifter opened, as the nose hinted, light and duller than a typical Scotch ale, with a subdued vanilla-tinged caramel malt profile. Dried fruits came through as the ale settled, adding to the sweetness and admirably hiding the 8% ABV. The ale faded somewhat anemic and a little cloying.
Moylan’s Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale isn’t a bad ale, by any means, but it is so far out of its purported style that it would confound (and likely disappoint) a fan of Scotch / Wee Heavy ales.
