Autumn Ambers Of Great Britain

With the passing of daylight savings time, we also bid farewell to the traditional fall seasonal beers. The Oktoberfest lagers gently and graciously faded into the background, while the pumpkin ales annoyingly continue to hang on for dear life. Thankfully, these brews have already begun their departure, and I for one am happy to see them go. As with Halloween, away go all things pumpkin save for the delicious pie that arrives with that most gluttonous meal later this month.
I suggest we turn to the UK for our mid-fall selections. Not necessarily autumn ales, there are several styles that are perfect for fall. With flavors, aromas and colors that match the outdoors this time of year, Scotland’s ales and the brown beers of England can bide you over until the temps really fall off and suitable, quality holiday options hit the shelves.
You are likely quite familiar with English brown ales, either through this column, or by their wide accessibility. Two varieties exist, with the southern brown ales having more in common with sweet stouts, while northern brown ales being closer in nature to a nutty, slightly dryer dark pale ale. I highly suggest revisiting these styles, whether brewed over there or at home on our shores.
While Scotland may be most famous for its whiskey, the country also brews some fine beer. Several distinct styles exist, although most of them retain a common thread. The wild child from northern Great Britain is gruit, a sweet beer-like beverage brewed with a variety of Scotland’s native herbs, especially gale and yarrow, hops not being amongst that lot. Gruit is a strange brew, and existing examples vary widely.
The ales of Scotland all hang together under the umbrella of being malty and sweet, due to a longer brewing process, and little if any hops in the mix. The style known as standard Scottish ale was originally broken down into categories based on the shilling, with a lower number used for light Scottish ale, a higher number denoted for export strength beer.
A favorite Scottish ale is the version from Belhaven Brewing Co. from Scotland. From a nitro can, Belhaven’s Scottish Ale is creamy, medium-bodied, malty, bready and earthy with some flowery, tea like notes and a mild hoppy finish. An even better beer if you can find it is Dark Island from Orkney Brewery in Scotland.
A similar style of beer from the same country, Scotch ale is much stronger and sweeter than standard Scottish ale, with a fuller body and higher levels of alcohol. At times called ‘wee heavy’ these beers would have rated 100 shillings and above, and offered alcohol levels up to 10 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
The Traquair House Ale from the brewery of the same name in Scotland is unmatched in its traditional flavors and balanced beauty. Rich, complex, malty especially in the oak and butterscotch realm, this is a true scotch ale. And, while I’m a big fan of Founder’s Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale, you just can’t top the real kilt-wearing deal. Enjoy the brews … Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. While they don’t have every beer the Beer Snob writes about, they probably have most. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.