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Genesee Brew House Scotch Ale

Genesee Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Scotch Ale · One of 14 Scotch Ales in hopIQ

A strong Scotch ale first brewed on the 20-barrel pilot system of the Genesee Brew House and poured there all year. The brewery describes it as rich and malty, deep garnet in colour, with a surprisingly smooth body. It pours amber to light brown under a small creamy head. The nose brings toffee and fruity malt with a touch of licorice. On the palate sweet caramel malt meets earthy, faintly peaty notes and a trace of wood smoke, a light bitterness keeps the sweetness in check, and the medium body dries out gently at the end.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
dark22

AWARDS

Gold · 2025
Governor's Craft Beer Cup
Amber/Red Ale
★Gold — Governor's Craft Beer Cup (Amber/Red Ale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Scotch Ale.
Hop character
earthy
Malt character
malty
caramel
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Genesee Brew House Scotch Ale

◎ Appearance

Pours amber to light brown with a small, creamy head that settles quickly. The body shows good clarity with a deep garnet tone when held to light, characteristic of the style's caramel Malz bill. Carbonation is moderate, supporting the head without excessive effervescence.

amber to light browncreamy headclear, deep garnet

◌ Aroma

The nose presents a rich, malty character dominated by toffee and caramel notes with underlying fruity Malz sweetness. A subtle licorice thread weaves through the profile, adding complexity without dominating. The overall impression is warm and inviting, with restrained hop aromatics typical of this Scottish style.

toffee, caramelfruity Malzlicorice undertone

◐ Taste

Sweet caramel Malz enters on the palate, followed by earthy and faintly peaty notes that evoke wood smoke and distant peat influence. A light bitterness—modest for the ABV—arrives mid-palate to balance the malt sweetness and prevent cloyingness. The medium body tapers toward a gentle, drying finish without harshness.

sweet caramel Malzearthy, peatylight bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish dries out gently, with lingering caramel and faint smoke notes fading gradually. No harsh alcohol burn or astringency; the 7.5% ABV remains well-integrated and unobtrusive throughout.

gentle dryinglingering caramel and smoke
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Genesee Brew House 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 Genesee Brew House 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 malty, caramel, earthy character as Genesee Brew House Scotch Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Scotch Ales in hopIQ

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