Try?
If you've never seen Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter series of videos, you really should. Jackson is, of course, a legend in the beer world, and the series of six short films he made for the Discovery Channel in the late eighties is both highly entertaining and immensely informative. One of my favorite segments is entitled "The Great Beers of Belgium", and in it Jackson enjoys a sumptuous repast in the Belgian countryside. Each dish is, as you might expect, accompanied by a unique beer.
At the end of the meal, Jackson asks for a Scotch. They don’t bring him whiskey, though, they bring him beer: a Scotch Ale to be precise. Scotch Ale is a thick, viscous bear of a beer that’s slightly sweet, a little more potent in alcohol than usual, and best served up in a traditional thistle-shaped glass. Which is exactly how I’m drinking my bottle of Reunion '10 Belgian Style Scotch Ale.
Not only is sipping this brew aesthetically pleasing, it’s also morally rewarding. That’s because the proceeds from the beer go to the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research. And everybody wins: you get a 22-ounce bottle of tasty dark sweet malty ale for a mere $8, all the while helping out a worthy charity. For 2010, the Reunion beer was produced not that far from this reviewer, by the Terrapin Brewing Company of Athens, Georgia. You can also help out by clicking one of the "Donate" buttons to the right.
Terrapin Reunion '10 Belgian Style Scotch Ale pours to an almost opaque mahogany color with a thick creamy head formation and a sweet molasses hinting nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a full, rich mouthfeel. It's definitely on the sweetish side, and almost syrupy. That's a good thing; though, as this is a beer to slowly sip and savor.
Flavors of chocolate, toffee, dark sweet molasses, and raisin predominate. Subtle hints of cotton candy and smoke appear as well. In the finish, just enough grassy hops appear to balance the beer a bit and keep it from cloying; the alcohol warms and helps to dry a bit as well. Indeed, this one seems a bit more potent than it's stated 8.5% alcohol by volume.
I don't find a lot of Belgian character from the yeast here, but that's OK. This is a wonderfully warming Scotch Ale, and one I'm glad I saved. This is a beer far better suited to the depths of winter than it is the dog days of August. It's rich and complex enough to make a perfect digestif after dinner, or as Michael Jackson might have said, just the beer to pair with a book at bedtime.
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
