Before we get started, let me say this: Pike Kilt Lifter is not a Scotch Ale. At least not in the way I think of Scotch Ale. When I think of Scotch Ale, I think big, as in “Wee Heavy”. Pike Kilt Lifter really does not remind me of a Wee Heavy. It’s really more of a Scottish Ale than a Scotch Ale in my book, but that’s OK. I don’t hold it against Pike because this is a great beer.

Kilt Lifter and I go way back. I first tried the beer back in the nineties when I got it straight from the Pacific Northwest via a beer trade. Back in early 2005 I got to try it again at the brewery in Seattle and took the following tasting notes:

Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
A bit fruity, very malty, a tad whisky like (the beer is brewed with a touch of peat smoked malt). Moderate alcohol. Dry hoppy finish. A nice little beer, and a bit different from your average Scotch. ****

I enjoyed it with a brimming bowl of their Dungeness Crab Chowder ($4.95 cup, $6.95 bowl when I was there). Trust me; you’ll want the larger portion. It’s smooth and creamy, loaded with fresh crabmeat, peppers, potatoes, and celery. It’s made with a bit of Pike Pale Ale and served with fresh rolls and butter.

Today, I’m happy to say that Total Wine carries an extensive line of Pike beers. Thus I was able to bring a bottle home recently and enjoy it again.

Specs from Pike:

OG (ORIGINAL GRAVITY): 1.064

MALT VARIETIES: Pale, Crystal, Munich, Carapils Peated Scottish

HOP VARIETIES: Magnum, Goldings

IBU (BITTER UNIT): 27

COLOR: Ruby

YEAST: English ale

Pike Kilt Lifter pours to a ruby red color with a thick creamy head formation and a soft, buttery malt nose. The palate has soft sweet notes of caramel malt laced with a hint of butterscotch and a light nuttiness as well. There’s an almost husky, grainy malt character here as well.  In the finish you’ll find an ever so gentle earthy hop bitterness tempered with floral hop aroma. In many ways, this easy drinking but very flavorful beer reminds me of Belhaven Scottish Ale. And what higher compliment can I pay a beer than that?

 As I said, not so much a Scotch Ale as a Scottish, and probably somewhere in between in strength at 6.5% alcohol by volume. Still a very nice beer, and at $3.99 for a 22 ounce bottle an exceptional value. Four stars on its own merits, but at that reasonable price I think it deserves an extra half star.

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

(D)=Draft

 

 

 

 



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