Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie served in the Seaforth Highlanders unit of the British Army and was killed in action in World War I. Decades later, his great grandson memorialized him in song. Today, the Ironshield Brewing Company of Lawrenceville, Georgia, brews up Sgt. MacKenzie Scottish Ale, presumably named after Charles.

This is my first beer from Ironshield, and I enjoyed it very much. It was my second Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy of the night, as I had just enjoyed Einstok Icelandic Wee Heavy prior to popping my crowler of Sgt. Mackenzie Scottish Ale.

Ironshield says of this beer:

A classic Scotch strong ale, also know as a 90 Schilling Ale, or a Wee Heavy. Deep walnut in color, with mild warmth, balanced sweetness and very little hop aroma. This is a good high gravity ale well suited for "sipping"!

Sgt. MacKenzie Scottish Ale has an alcohol content of 7% by volume with 30 IBUs. I paid $11 for a crowler at Stouts, and it runs $10 a six-pack at the brewery or $8 for a 10-ounce draft. The brewery does advertise themselves as “Proudly Brewing Authentic European Ales and Lagers”, and I like that. Tucker Brewing, also of Georgia, specializes in German brewing. It's refreshing to see breweries going back to basics and eschewing the 50 IPAs and 10 weirdo stouts on tap philosophy. I think.

Ironshield Sgt. MacKenzie Scottish Ale pours to a beautiful mahogany color with a moderate tan head formation and a nose of chocolate, treacle and dark fruit. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body with hints of chocolate, burnt toffee, butterscotch, sugar plums, and a burnt candy sugar finish.

Quite tasty indeed, this beer reminds me of Gritty McDuff’s Scottish Ale and that’s a good thing. I would certainly buy this one again.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled, canned

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

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