hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Boots Off

Sawdust City Brewing Company
Tap to rate
🌍 Canada · Scotch Ale · One of 7 Scotch Ales in hopIQ

A winter warmer in the wee heavy mould, deep amber to chestnut and thick on the tongue. Simpsons Maris Otter carries bread and biscuit; Weyermann CaraAroma layers on toffee, raisin and dark caramel, with a small share of Carafa Special for colour and a trace of cocoa. Northern Brewer is the only hop and stays in the background, so the beer runs sweet, smooth and warming, finishing long with dried fruit.

ABV
8.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark22
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
bready
malty
chocolate
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Boots Off

Appearance

Deep amber to chestnut brown, with a warm translucent quality characteristic of the style. The head is substantial and creamy, clinging to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. Body density is evident, coating the glass with a viscous, slow-draining film.

deep amberchestnut browncreamy headthick body

Aroma

The nose leads with soft bread and biscuit notes from Maris Otter malt, underpinned by layered caramel and toffee from the CaraAroma addition. Dried fruit—raisin and dark stone fruit—emerges in the background, with a whisper of cocoa and the faintest floral suggestion from Northern Brewer hops. The overall impression is mellow and warming, with no sharp edges.

bread and biscuittoffee and carameldried fruitsubtle cocoa

Taste

The palate opens with smooth, sweet caramel and toffee, followed by a gentle swell of dark fruit and raisin character through the mid-palate. Malt sweetness dominates, supported by a light cocoa undertone and the biscuit foundation; Northern Brewer hops remain restrained, providing minimal bitterness. The full-bodied mouthfeel is velvety and warming, with the alcohol presenting as a gentle heat rather than a sharp note.

caramel-forwardfull-bodiedmalty sweetwarming alcohol

Finish

The finish is long and lingering, carried by dried fruit and soft toffee notes that fade gradually into a warm, slightly boozy aftertaste. No harsh bitterness intrudes; instead, a sense of smooth contentment persists on the palate.

long finishdried fruit fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
85
Appearance
84
Finish
81
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Boots Off

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 Boots Off

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, sweet, bready character as Boots Off will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Scotch Ales in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find Boots Off? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →