Top 10 Scottish Ales Brewed in America
This Top Ten Scottish Ales list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The top ten Scottish Ales are moderate in strength and dominated by a smooth, sweet maltiness balanced with low, but perceptible, hop bitterness. Hop flavor or aroma should not be perceived. These ales will have a medium degree of malty, caramel-like, soft and chewy character in flavor and mouthfeel. It has medium body, and fruity esters are very low. ABV: 3.50% – 4.10%. IBU: 12-20.
1. Scotch Ale – Guadalupe Brewing – Texas
2. Taildragger’s Clan-Destine – Saddle Mountain Brewing – Arizona
3. Robert The Bruce – Three Floyds Brewing- Indiana
4. Sláinte Scottish Style Ale – Central Waters Brewing – Wisconsin
5. Caber Tosser – Hunter’s Handmade Brewery – Michigan
6. McGarveys Scottish Ale – Oggi’s Sports Brewhouse Pizza – California
7. Peticolas Great Scot! – Peticolas Brewing – Texas
8. Skilak Scottish – Kenai River Brewing – Alaska
9. Heavy 80 Scotch Ale – Coal Creek TAP – Wyoming
10. Longfellow Winter Ale – Shipyard Brewing – Maine
History of Scottish Ales
Scottish ales, a cornerstone of Scotland’s brewing heritage, trace their origins to the early medieval period when monastic breweries and small-scale home brewing were prevalent. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Scotland’s brewing industry flourished, particularly in Edinburgh, which became a hub for producing distinctive ales known for their malty, caramelized flavors and relatively low hop bitterness. These ales were shaped by the region’s cool climate, which favored slower, cooler fermentations, and the use of local ingredients like barley and soft water. Styles such as “Wee Heavy” (strong Scotch ale) and lighter “Scottish Export” emerged, often categorized by the old shilling system (e.g., 60/-, 70/-, 80/-), which denoted strength and tax brackets. The industrial revolution and innovations like the development of pale malt further refined these beers, making them a staple in pubs and export markets, particularly to the British Empire.
In the 20th century, Scottish ales faced challenges as lager and mass-produced beers gained dominance, leading to a decline in traditional brewing. However, the craft beer revival in the late 20th and early 21st centuries sparked renewed interest, with breweries like Traquair House and Belhaven revitalizing classic recipes. Modern Scottish ales maintain their historical character—rich, malty profiles with notes of toffee, dried fruit, and subtle smokiness—while incorporating contemporary twists, such as barrel aging or higher alcohol content in Wee Heavies. Today, Scottish ales are celebrated globally, with craft brewers in North America and beyond paying homage to the style, ensuring its legacy endures while adapting to modern palates.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged