United Nations of Beer

Pump House Scotch Ale

by Stacey Langille
(Nova Scotia)

Pump House Scotch Ale: no kilt required

Great Beer Shirts!

Pump House Scotch Ale (4.8% ABV)

The Pump House Brewery was opened as a brewpub in downtown Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada in 1999. The Brewpub grew so popular that expansion was necessary and in July 2002, a brewing/bottling plant was built outside the city centre and production began in the same year.

Currently the Pump House distributes beer across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario with expansion on the horizon. Scotch Ale is one of their current product lines.

It has a deep amber color and a smoky aroma (reminiscent of scotch) upon drinking this ale the toasted malts mixed with nut, caramel and molasses appear. A light smoky aftertaste does not dwell and adds to the whole drinking experience.

Pump House Scotch Ale is definitely unique in its style. It won the 2008 Canadian Brewing Awards Gold Medal: Scotch Ale (in Scottish Style Ale category).

Scotch ale is often referred to as "wee heavy" and can resemble lagers more than ales. I will not debate history which states there is a distinct difference between Scottish and Scotch ales.

The Pump house Brewery has aptly named this beer Scotch ale and are sticking to it! No offense to the imports but this Scotch Ale holds its own in the taste department. I shared a pack with a friend who is usually not too experimental in his beer choices. His exact words were, "Mmmm I can taste the molasses... yes it does have that scotch smokiness."

We both enjoyed this drink and we weren't even wearing kilts. So you don't have to break out your kilt to enjoy this excellent brew from Pump House. Buy local, try some today.

Cheers!