What's the difference between Scottish and Scotch Ale?

While it is generally accepted that brewing history can be traced to the Sumerian culture of the fifth millennium BC, Scotland may have an equally extensive brewing heritage. There is evidence that Pictish tribes in present-day Scotland were making fermented beverages about the same time as the Sumerians. Early brews were made with grain, fruit, honey or anything else fermentable, and flavored with numerous spices and herbs.

Over time, ale production increased. The rising popularity of these public breweries led to the formation of a brewing and malting guild in the 16th century in Glasgow, known as the Incorporation of Maltmen.

The outstanding strong ales of Scotland were by now well known around Western Europe, and by the early 1800s, Scottish beer was being exported all over the world. The climate was cool, hops were used sparingly because of their expense and rarity, and the beer was brewed strong to keep better. Thus, the profile of Scotch ale was evolving. Later, when the hoppy ales of Burton raged, the Scots employed the pale ale brewers of London and Burton tailoring their methods to approximate these highly desired brews. This flexibility not only allowed the Scots to keep a brewing stake across the United Kingdom, but also ensured that they would have something for each palate. The indisputable king of the Scottish beers, however, was Scotch ale.

Scotch ales tend to be a specialty brew. They share much of their profile with many other strong beers, yet retain more individuality. The brewers who make them are scattered throughout Scotland, from the southern borders, to the remote Orkney archipelago in the north.

It is important to distinguish between Scottish and Scotch ales. Scottish ales called 60 (light), 70 (heavy), or 80 (export) shilling are in the range of 2.5 percent to 5.0 percent ABV. Scotch ale, or wee heavy, starts at 90 shilling and usually measures at least 6.5 percent ABV, with an original gravity of about 1.070. Some historical Scotch ales might be as high as 140 shilling, with a starting gravity of 1.125, although the scale has slid downward some over the last 150 years. Today's 80 shilling might be equivalent to a 60 shilling of 1850.

And so it is that we pay tribute to this history by brewing GlenLenny's Scotch Ale.

GlenLenny's Scotch Ale

Style Guidelines: This is a bigger version of MacLenny's Scottish Ale, with the addition of toasted malts. This is a full bodied beer if there ever was one. It is a worthy accompaniment to your favorite single malt scotch.

Rotation Schedule: once a year, usually in early spring

Food Pairings: Shepherd's pie, haggis and a single malt; strong hard cheese.

Body: full

Color: brown

Grain: British pale, amber, carapils and wheat malts and American Victory (toasted) malt

Bittering Hops: British Northdown

Original Gravity: 1.08

IBUs (estimate): 23

Alcohol By Volume: 7.6%

First Tapped: xx 1998

Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub Ale House No. 1xx 467 North High Street Columbus OH 43215