50 Scottish beers with the best names

Caroline Young

Fashion blogger

Thursday 31 January 2013

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.”

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50 Scottish beers with the best names

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