BIS007 - Peated Pale

This straw coloured, full-flavoured pale ale is infused with peat smoked Scottish barley and brewed to a sturdy 5.8%, offering a uniquely complex take on the style. The peat is front and centre here, supported by a combination of pale malts and fruity hops, offering a gloriously delicate balance of sweet, savoury and smokey with a crisp, dry finish. 

Like a good Islay single malt, the peat aroma leaps out of the glass first and you understand immediately that this is no mild mannered everyday pale ale. The first sip is all peat, phenolic and fruity, before layers of oily rags, spicy marmalade, banana, bacon and a balancing liquorice sweetness are revealed. This is a great food pairing beer, try it with charred aubergines, middle eastern lamb or a good quality blue cheese.

What The Hell Was I Thinking?

As a certified fumophile and admirer of the no-holds-barred rich smokiness of German rauchbiers, the ambition here was to create a full-flavoured modern craft beer infused with one of the iconic flavours of Scotland - peat-smoked malt. I chose the malt from Crisp’s Portgordon maltings for its deep, gutsy character and paired it with Bramling Cross and Celeia hops, which contribute a range of fruity notes. 

A fairly straightforward pale ale recipe enhances the complexity of the peat, with the flavour-enhancing alcohol providing additional emphasis. It’s a simple beer in terms of ingredients but the combination delivers something truly special.

Naturally carbonated, vegan friendly