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. “When you ask for a Scotch in Belgium,” Jackson explains, “They don’t bring you a whiskey. But I can forgive them for that. Because what they do bring you, is a beer. A Scotch Ale”

Scotch Ale, of course, 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. One of my very favorite Belgian Scotch ales is Scotch Silly (or Silly Scotch if you prefer), from the Brasserie de Silly in Silly, Belgium.

I first tried this beer at Monk’s Café, and it’s apropos that I mention Jackson’s scene in The Beer Hunter, because I ran into him while drinking it, back in March of 1999.

“Thus, we headed back to Monk's where I sipped a bottle of Scotch Silly I had been eyeing earlier in the day when what to my wondering eyes should appear but the Beerhunter himself before several glasses of beer. I knew Jackson was in the city for a beer event going on at the PA Convention Center in town, but was surprised to see him seated in a booth chatting with Tom Peters. I went over and spoke to him for a few moments……”

Here’s what the brewery says about Scotch Silly:

Silly Scotch was born from a unique tradition and, throughout the years, has grown into a reference beer for its particular style. Its lovely red colour with more than a hint of copper is hidden below a beige head. Its complex aromas breathe the scent of brioche accompanied by raisins, fruit jam and fresh raspberry. This is a generous, full-mouthed beer reminiscent of a liqueur. The initial, most striking impressions are those of honey and caramel. The flavours of prunes and roast malt come through in the finish. There is a refreshing aftertaste.

The website gives an alcohol strength of 7.5% by volume, though my bottle says 8% by volume. A 4-pack of Scotch Silly will run you $14.99 here in Atlanta, and that for 11.2 ounce bottles.

Scotch Silly pours to a murky brownish color with a thick creamy tan head and an absolutely amazing nose of raisins, brown bread and toffee. Taking a sip, the beer is thick and chewy up front with rich notes of toffee and treacle, caramel, raisin bread, brown sugar and molasses. It’s thick and sweet and rich and finishes slightly warm with alcohol and perhaps a hint of smoke.

Scotch Silly is one wonderful beer folks, sinful in its dark malty goodness. It is indeed a benchmark Belgian Scotch Ale, best enjoyed while reminiscing on tastings past enjoyed with chance encounters with The Beer Hunter.

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