McEwans scotch ale

[beertrap]

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]

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]

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

 

[beertrap]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Pavros]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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