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Copper John Scotch Ale

Madison River Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Scotch Ale · One of 9 Scotch Ales in hopIQ

Named for the Copper John nymph fly pattern — one of the most productive subsurface fly patterns on American trout rivers. Rich, warming and malt-forward with caramel, toffee and a whisper of smoke. A big beer for Big Sky country and the perfect reward after a long day wading the Madison.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
dark30
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Full body.

A frame with real heft — the palate has plenty to hold onto through the finish.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Scotch Ale.
Malt character
caramel
malty
toasty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
smoky
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best American Strong Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Copper John Scotch Ale

Appearance

Deep copper-bronze hue with solid density and clarity. The head builds and settles into a persistent collar with good lacing retention down the glass. Moderate carbonation creates a gentle effervescence beneath the surface.

deep copperpersistent headclearmoderate carbonation

Aroma

Caramel and toffee lead the nose, followed by toasted grain character and a subtle wisp of smoke. Underlying malt richness provides warmth without aggressive alcohol vapors. The profile is rounded and inviting, characteristic of well-crafted Scottish ale yeast work.

caramel, toffeetoasted grainsubtle smokemalt-forward

Taste

Entry is full and sweet, with immediate caramel and toffee development across the mid-palate. Toasted, slightly smoky notes integrate naturally with the malt body. Bitterness remains restrained at 20 IBU, allowing the malt sweetness to dominate without cloying; alcohol warmth emerges in the mid-palate without harsh edges.

caramel-toffeefull-bodiedlow bitternesswarming alcohol

Finish

The finish is smooth and sustained, with caramel sweetness lingering into a soft, malty aftertaste. Warmth persists gently, making this a contemplative closer after outdoor exertion.

smooth fademalty aftertastelingering warmth
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Copper John Scotch Ale

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Copper John Scotch Ale

About Scotch Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Scotch Ale?

Scotch Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Scotch Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, malty, rich character as Copper John Scotch Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Scotch Ales in hopIQ