Why we picked it: We've never tried it, sounded like it might be interesting, and Norm's had 3 cases of it.
About Highland's Gaelic Ale: A deep amber-colored American ale, featuring a rich malty body. Cascade and Willamette hops add a complex hop flavor and aroma. This ale is exceptionally balanced between malty sweetness and delicate hop bitterness. It has a universal appeal and is our workhorse, accounting for about half of our total production.
This was our first beer and was originally named Celtic Ale in honor of the Scots and Irish who originally settled the Appalachian region. We had to change the name – unbeknownst to us, Bert Grant Brewery had trademarked “Celtic Ale." The term "Gaelic" more commonly refers to the language of the Celtic peoples in Scotland and Ireland and particularly to the Scottish Highlanders. The dark amber color is similar to a Scottish Ale but the flavor and body is more in the style of American Amber.
Beer Advocate Score: 86
Grains: 2 Row Brewers Malt, Munich, Caramel 40, Caramel 60 & Extra Special Malt
Hops: Chinook, Willamette, & Cascade
ABV: 5.6%
IBU: 30
Calories: 167
Case Cost: $35
*website: http://www.highlandbrewing.com/craft-brews/style/gaelic-ale
Being of Irish descent I was particularly interested in trying this--despite its origins in Asheville. I was struck by the nice caramel color and the complex nose. I absolutely loved the taste of this brew. I am sure it was partly due to the fact that all the hops came from my home state of Washington.
ReplyDeleteThis brew sat on the tongue for just a few seconds but it was enough to pull in a unique flavor that we haven't had this year--until now. No after taste which was welcomed after downing a number of IPA recently.
It has been 20 years since Asheville resurrected its local beer scene and this proves that they are doing well. Can't wait to throw on my kilt, grab my bagpipes and get wasted like a good Scotsman!
Washington rules!
DeleteAnother solid one. Side note - after reflecting on it yesterday's Tank was probably my fave so far. Back to current, I liked this a lot. Good aroma, great color, crisp but not overpowering flavor. And I thought initially this was going to leave an unpleasant aftertaste - it had that sort of feel to it going down - but it never materialized for me. I like IPAs but not bitter aftertaste, and basically no aftertaste at all unless it's sweet. This had a minimal aftertaste which to me is unusual for a beer this color and flavor. So that to me was a big plus - would be a good beer out with a proper meal. Wouldn't want this as a session brew but I could see this as a preferable (for me) alternative to some of the Ales at the GAR restaurants (mikes, Artie's, etc....), this to me felt like a good flavored beer where I'd want 1-2 with that type of food.
ReplyDeleteFollow up - realize this isn't an IPA, just making a point about bitter aftertaste.
DeleteI really wanted to like this, but all I could think after every sip was "meh". It could have been due to drinking it with dinner....maybe the food muted the taste a bit. Either way, probably the last one I'll have.
ReplyDeleteaverage. B-
ReplyDeleteApril, usually a C is a average
DeleteDoes this mean a C+ is below avg?
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DeleteThere was a time when a C meant average, but these days it's tough out there on them streets....
Deletemaybe you haven't been walking down the right streets
DeleteIf anyone on here is a school teacher, I would like to know if a C report card = Average Student.
DeleteDefinitely an American Amber, which when they first started to appear on the beer scene meant a bit more flavor than American Pilsener. This is drinkable, not special though. Hint of good taste/ flavor but leaves quickly.
ReplyDelete"Just one please"
Wow this looked awesome! If this were a woman with such a beautiful color and providing wonderful head, then I couldn't wait to taste her. And so I dug right in. The taste was a perfect balance of sweetness and boldness. Just enough to satisfy a man and leave him wanting more. She was an easy triple.
ReplyDeleteFirst beer of the day on my 4 day catch up, I poured this into a glass. I like it a lot, would order out and wish I had another.
ReplyDeleteBS
So I admit I had my doubts when I grabbed the bottle out of the fridge. Then I poured it in the glass and I am not sure I have ever seen a redder beer. I moved it into another room with different lightbulbs to check the color rendering index and sure enough, just as red. Then I took a sip. And another. And another. And another. Hot damn I like this beer. I then went ahead and read the side. Cascade hops in an amber. Pretty much my dream amber. The hops cut the maltiness or whatever you call it that keeps me from liking a lot of ambers. I loved it. First new beer of the month that tempts me to jump in the car and head to Norm's to see if he has another case left. 24 days of beer we have another new discovery and another winner.
ReplyDeleteI read "Gaelic" and cringed. I've come to the conclusion that the Scots suck at making beer. It tends to have more of a smell than flavor or aroma. So a little closer examination gave me some relief to realize that this was coming out of Asheville and not Edinburgh. Phew! Close call. Beautiful amber color. The flavor is unique (i.e., it seems to bounce back and forth between hops and malt), but it is good. There is a little immediate aftertaste, but the longer it lingers the more I can taste the caramel. Not killer, but a great choice and another good reason why I love 24 DOB.
ReplyDeleteAnd where is Ray Sweet?? The guy who is always telling me about Asheville microbreweries.
DeleteI got super excited after pulling this one out of the case. Going to college in North Carolina, Highland is a staple you can find in pretty much any bar. I always thought that it was a good intermediate between light and dark beer. It brings back so many memories from NC. My buddies and I would buy Highland sampler packs at Costco for less than a dollar a bottle. I would also recommend Highland's Oatmeal Porter but I have not had any other Highland that tops those two. Excellent choice after a long day with middle schoolers
ReplyDeletegood malty beer from a very hippie town
ReplyDeleteHad a sip straight from the bottle and felt like I got kicked in the face from the malts and then the hops jabbed me a few seconds later. This is definitely a beer with some character which I can appreciate. Once I poured it in a glass things calmed down a bit but I like this alot even tho the "Amber" style (more like a catch all category) isnt my cup of tea. A-
ReplyDeleteThe quintessential C beer if I ever saw one.
ReplyDeleteMalty amber is not usually my thing, and that doesn't change much here. Its a solid brew and I can't think of anything to really complian about. Its just more malt than I want, and I didn't pick up the hops as much as I wanted. Grade: 5.5/10.
ReplyDeleteThis was a superb beer, short and sweet. Sorry to hear C is no longer an average grade.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't love this beer, I have to admire its balance and craftmanship. Perhaps its balance is why I don't love it. I want a little more excitement, a little more chaos in my brews.
ReplyDeleteShit...if I was down visiting Asheville, I would totally have a pint when I saw it on draft!
When I saw this in the lineup, I was thinking it would be more of a typical (in my experience anyway) Scottish ale: smokey/peaty/earthy - always interesting but not always enjoyable. Instead, this is a very nice full bodied Amber, crafted to just hint at some of those Scotchy notes. I loved it and will definitely be on the look out for it.
ReplyDeleteThis was dullsville for me. Not offensive. Just flat (flavor). C-
ReplyDeleteMeh.
ReplyDeleteMainly made me think of watching the Gaelic Football final with a ripping hangover at an Irish club in Long Island a few years ago. I was there with my father-in-law who spent the whole game complaining about the referees. While his team was winning!
A day behind on this guy...hopefully he treats me well. Not much head on the pour, nice deep amber color, and I can smell the caramel. Looking at this has me very interested! First sip and the thought is, that's not the taste I expected, but not bad. Second sip...not too much going on here. I'm half way through now and this beer has lost my interest. It seems completely bland to me, relatively speaking. I pick up a few tastes here and there, by I expected more. I feel like there is no substance here and it could be so much more. It's not horrible, but I would pick almost anything over it. Grade 6 of 10, D+
ReplyDeleteThis strangely smells like a Christmas beer to me. It tastes better than expected. I'm not much of a dark ale kinda gal but this is smooth going down without an aftertaste. Check!
ReplyDeleteCatching up a bit here.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely my type of beer. Great color and love the taste. I think it will end up being a top five for me.
Good beer, not great. I really wanted to like it, so that may have had an effect on my rating.
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