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Auld Ale Scotch Stingo

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Dried fruit and caramel sit on a smooth, sweet malt base, with whisky from the barrels running underneath. Auld Ale Scotch Stingo is a 5.5% old ale, brewed with Brian from Northern Monk when he came home to Scotland, as a hybrid of the malt-forward beers of Scotland and Yorkshire. It was fermented in whisky barrels and conditioned for an extended time, one of Newbarns' Burns celebration collabs.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelmaltyoak
caramel
malty
oak
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent dried fruit notes—raisins and figs—layered over rich caramel sweetness.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Auld Ale Scotch Stingo

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper hue with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent head. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating fine bubbles that rise steadily through the glass. Lacing clings to the sides with good retention, indicating a full malt structure.

deep amberclearpersistent headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent dried fruit notes—raisins and figs—layered over rich caramel sweetness. Beneath these, a subtle whisky-barrel influence emerges, introducing soft oak and a hint of wood resin. Malt undertones provide depth, with no sharp alcohol punch despite the spirit aging.

dried fruitcaramel sweetnessoak and whiskymalty base

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full-bodied, with caramel and dark stone fruit dominating the mid-palate. Barrel-derived oak integrates seamlessly rather than overpowering, while the underlying malt sweetness remains the anchor. Bitterness is restrained at 35 IBU, allowing the malt and fruit to shine; a gentle warmth from the 5.5% ABV adds complexity without harshness.

smooth mouthfeelcaramel-forwardbalanced bitternesswhisky-barrel oak

◑ Finish

The finish is medium-long, trailing off with lingering caramel and a whisper of oak dryness. A subtle vinous quality persists, reflecting the extended barrel conditioning and the beer's contemplative character.

medium-long finishcaramel lingeringdry oak fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
Serve at 12–16°C

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

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Auld Ale Scotch Stingo

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About Old Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Old Ale?

Old 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 Old Ale

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

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