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Rohrbach Scotch Ale

September 1, 2005 Rochester, NY
Reviewers:Stephen Beaumont - Charlie Papazian - Garrett Oliver

Rohrbach Brewing Co.
Rochester, NY

Available: NY

Alcohol (wt.): 5.25
Alcohol (vol.): 6.6
Color: 11
Bitterness: 17
Original Gravity: 1070
Final gravity: 1020
Malts used: Pale malt and roasted barlye
Hops used: Styrian Golding and Willamette


Light in hue for a Scotch ale. this amber-colored ale carries a faint whiff of smokiness in the aroma, making me think that perhaps a small portion of peated malt may have been used in its creation. The rest of the nose is fruity malt, which also dominates the body in the form of rich, overripe plum and plump raisin, finishing in notes of caramelized sugar and softly warming alcohol. No alcohol content is listed, but I suspect this might be hiding sneaky strength beneath its nicely rounded exterior.
- Stephen Beaumont
Minimal aroma except for a hint of smoky character. Swirls with an anticipated heavy body. Velvety smooth, mild malty flavors, balanced with the perfect touch of low hop character. Well balanced for drinkability. Subtle smoke flavor grows on me. Clean aftertaste. A beer great solo. A beer great as an accompaniment with an assortment of hearty foods and salty appetizers.
- Charlie Papazian
The beer pours with a full amber color and its restrained carbonation raises only a slight head. The aroma is malty with a faint vanilla note common to many Scottish beers. It’s soft and round on the palate, with bready malts playing through the center, nicely balanced by light bitterness. This is a lighter style of Scotch ale, rather than the famous “wee heavy.” It’s a solid version, very nice with a stuffed roast chicken.
- Garrett Oliver

Stephen Beaumont
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.

Charlie Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.

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