I know, I know, WAY over due. I actually tried this beer way back in December but it has taken me until now to find the time to write about it. Anyway, this is the final beer from my Alan McRobb Care Package and I must say I saved the best for last.
St Giles, from
Stewart Brewing in Edinburgh, is described on the bottle as a 'dark, smooth and malty contemporary taste of Edinburgh.' It is one of a fairly recently released line of bottled beers that also includes
Hollyrood, a pale, light and hoppy beer, and
Embra, an amber beer.
St Giles is indeed dark in color, a dark brown with some ruby hues. The sample I had was of medium carbonation and had a malty and what I would describe as a vinous aroma not unlike that of a Barley Wine. It had a medium to light body and tasted of malty sweetness with hints of dark chocolate, treacle, and cocoa. There were also some slight notes of coffee or espresso but without any sort of burnt flavor, more a roasty flavor, from the addition of more heavily roasted grain(s). It finishes quite dry with a lingering bittersweet chocolate flavor. It reminded me somewhat of a Scotch Ale but lower in alcohol and body, not too far from some modern Porter interpretations I've had. I have to say I really enjoyed this beer quite a bit, it is a shame I only had one! All in all it was a great beer from a great brewer.
Steve Stewart, the brewery's founder, obtained a degree in Brewing from
Heriot Watt University and worked previously for various groups within Bass. He spent some time Stateside at the
Harpoon Brewery in Boston where the impetus for
Stewart Brewing began in Steve's mind. Steve and his wife, Jo, started initial brews in a mini brewery in Birmingham built by Steve and his father-in-law, owner of a steel fabrication company. Steve and Jo longed for a return to Scotland and by 2004 things began to take shape to make that happen. While doing the first batches in Strathaven, work commenced concurrently at the brewery's site in Edinburgh.
Stewart Brewing started the first mash in their premises in November 2004 and the company has grown steadily ever since. The brewery offers tours by contacting them.
Yours Aye!
Neil
