McEwans scotch ale

beertrap · Jan 17, 2019

I've had this a few times. First bottles were approved by the queen. A couple years later the label did not have the approval . I can not remember if there was a difference but do remember it was a fine brew. Anyone have a good recipe?

JonBrew · Jan 17, 2019

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/mcewans-no-1-champion-ale.4338/#post-82501

McEwan's No.1 Champion Ale

14.5 lb. Golden Promise 2-row
11 oz. Torrified Wheat
19 oz. British 55°L Crystal Malt
4 oz. British Roasted Barley
2 oz. Peated Malt

8 oz. Invert Sugar
1/3 oz. Burton Water Salts

1.5 oz. East Kent Goldings @ 5.4% AA (6.8 HBU) (bittering)

1/4 oz Styrian Goldings (flavor)
1/4 oz Hallertau Hersbrucker (flavor)
1 tsp. Irish Moss

White Labs #WLP004 Irish Ale Yeast

Batch Size: 6 gallons
OG: 1.079
SRM: 21
IBU: 25

I believe the above is from or adapted from the recipe in a book called Beer Captured which appears to be a clone recipe book. Of course this is for McEwan's Champion which is a different beer but might of a starting point. I've had Champion but not the Scotch ale, in fact I've never seen the later on the supermarket shelves here and I live in Scotland. Possibly an Export? In any case, whatever you do, I'd swap out the Irish ale yeast for the McEwan's strain from Wyeast (1728 I think).

prog99 · Jan 17, 2019

I'm fairly sure scotch ale may be rebranded mcewans export. Brewery has long since been bulldozed.

beertrap · Jan 17, 2019

Thank you! Me and my pals really liked the scotch ale and it looks like I'm going to be ordering some supplies.

It's a shame the brewery is gone.

Pavros · Jan 17, 2019

prog99 said:
I'm fairly sure scotch ale may be rebranded mcewans export. Brewery has long since been bulldozed.

They used to be two completely different pints - scotch was a dark malty pint whereas export was similar to a bitter. If you bought them in cans (I haven't for many years), scotch was a blue can and export was red.

beertrap · Jan 17, 2019

Nope, always bottles. If memory serves dark and malty with a fairly high abv was the beer drank. Very good and very different to my normal beers.

prog99 · Jan 17, 2019

beertrap said:
Thank you! Me and my pals really liked the scotch ale and it looks like I'm going to be ordering some supplies.

It's a shame the brewery is gone.

Yes, McEwans is just a brand name in the Heineken empire now. The caledonian brewery makes the ales now.

mickthetrick · Jan 17, 2019

McEwan's best scotch ale (blue label) was served in lots of bars in my area around 20 years ago. very popular session dark ale of less than 4% abv. i think it was 3.4 of something like that. export was a totally different beer.

prog99 · Jan 17, 2019

Must be one they "exported" south of the border as I've definitely never seen that in Edinburgh.
Thanks.

Pavros · Jan 17, 2019

It was definitely in all the S&N pubs in Newcastle in the late 70s. Not sure if it was brewed in Newcastle or Edinburgh.

mickthetrick · Jan 17, 2019

i think it was brewed in Newcastle at Scottish and Newcastle brewery. scotch was very very popular in the north east. all the pubs and working mens clubs had a scotch on. McEwans, Lorimers, Youngers etc.

Horners · Jan 17, 2019

I spent my formulative drinking years in S & N pubs in Carlisle and Youngers scotch was the cooking bitter (used to raise eyebrows going back south to Lancashire and asking for a pint of scotch). Same pubs would have export on keg which was a premium offering. Im not even that old but anything north of 4% was considered punchy.

cushyno · Jan 17, 2019

Horners said:
I spent my formulative drinking years in S & N pubs in Carlisle and Youngers scotch was the cooking bitter (used to raise eyebrows going back south to Lancashire and asking for a pint of scotch). Same pubs would have export on keg which was a premium offering. Im not even that old but anything north of 4% was considered punchy.

I remember asking for a pint of scotch in a bar in York having traveled down the for the day. The batman didn't know if I was taking the ****, while he half reached for the optics. I think I was rather under age at the time.

Horners · Jan 17, 2019

Also I still love how most station offies still sell McEwans export in tins - the classic drink of the long distance train traveller. SWMBO who is from London still slightly bemused that I always get some export for any journey longer than 2 hours.

cushyno · Jan 17, 2019

Pavros said:
It was definitely in all the S&N pubs in Newcastle in the late 70s. Not sure if it was brewed in Newcastle or Edinburgh.

It was in all S&N pubs right through 80s and 90s too. A dark, drinkable beer lacking in body. It often seemed watered down and under-cabonated, but that was the style.

Horners · Jan 17, 2019

cushyno said:
I remember asking for a pint of scotch in a bar in York having traveled down the for the day. The batman didn't know if I was taking the ****, while he half reached for the optics. I think I was rather under age at the time.

Yes @cushyno this all of the time

McEwans scotch ale

Help Support The Homebrew Forum:

beertrap

Active Member

JonBrew

Landlord.

prog99

Landlord.

beertrap

Active Member

Pavros

Landlord.

beertrap

Active Member

prog99

Landlord.

mickthetrick

Senior Member

prog99

Landlord.

Pavros

Landlord.

mickthetrick

Senior Member

Horners

Landlord.

cushyno

Landlord.

Horners

Landlord.

cushyno

Landlord.

Horners

Landlord.

Similar threads

Latest posts

McEwans scotch ale

Help Support The Homebrew Forum:

Active Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Active Member

Landlord.

Active Member

Landlord.

Senior Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Senior Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!