OK, I made a mistake. I think I held onto my bottle of Bridgeport Highland Ambush Scotch Ale too long. I have this habit of aging beers you see, and often the results are interesting. Not always, though, and my exercise here is a good example of what can go wrong. My bottle was oxidized when I opened it, with the distinct aroma and flavor of wet cardboard intermingled with the malty buttery flavors of the beer.

Truth be told, I’m not even sure that Bridgeport makes this beer anymore (it’s not listed on their website anyway). There is good news, though, because although I can’t reliably review this beer based on a bottle that I ruined, I did take notes on it when I bought a fresh draft mug at Taco Mac back in May of 2011. Indeed, the reason I hung onto my bottle was because I had had it fresh and wanted to enjoy it with a little age.

From the label:

Highland Ambush is a mighty Scotch Ale, oak-aged to perfection. The triumphant result has a top note of oak and vanilla mixed with bitterness from its UK Golding hops. It’s a full bodied assault on your taste buds.

Bridgeport Highland Ambush has an alcohol content of 6.8% by volume and I paid $4.99 for the bomber bottle in 2011, and $4.50 for a mug at Taco Mac.

My mug of Bridgeport Highland Ambush arrived a tawny ruby red color with a moderate head of creamy foam and a rich butterscotch and raisin nose. Taking a sip, the beer has thick chewy butterscotch up front, raisins, vanilla, a hint of woody oak and a gentle grassy hop bitterness in the finish.

All in all a very nice Scotch ale, chewy and sticky and delicious. If Bridgeport brings it back, I would certainly buy it again. And I promise to drink it much sooner, too.

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