East End Old Hickory

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

If this is a Scottish Ale, this is great, because I have not had an SA that has rated above a 2. Much more refined than the everyday scott. Do you know what a Mashie is? Well it tastes and smells like a little bit of mashie shaft has been ground up and used to spice this brew. Smells and tastes like a mashie, even feels the same way in my hand. This was on tap at the Bocktown, excellent beer tasting venue. The pour is a little perfumy aroma and just plain beer. Cloudy and dark but not black. Even cloudier and lighter than rootbeer. Looks more like a good duneklweizen. When I taste, I think ‘why are you trying to please such a small critical niche of tasters’. This has no attributes of impy stout, and neither does it have any characteristics of IPA? Tastes and feels like the dirt that has been thrown up in a fairway when using a mashie. Hey, how did this divot get into my mouth? Not sweet and not bitter. Could be a session brew if it is not hiding a high alky content. No alky hints prevalent. Interesting, woody but not burned or charred wood. Like fresh green hickory trees broken open from a lightning or wind storm . Mild, nice and friendly. Medium low carbonation. Must be tried to appreciate, my words lack description. Interesting and better than just OK, for a beer. Good for a variety. Finish is fun and happy. No bitter medicinal qualities. Another very distinct flavor from East End. IMHO the best and most behaved Scottish ale in it’s category so far.