Innis & Gunn Original

Innis & Gunn hits you with vanilla and caramel straight away—that's the oak talking, and it's not subtle. There's a honeyed sweetness that coats your mouth, almost dessert-like, but it never tips into cloying. The body feels medium, almost creamy, and you get this pleasant toasty warmth that lingers. It's the kind of beer that tastes polished, like someone spent time thinking about balance.

Traquair House Ale

Traquair feels heavier in your hand and heavier on your palate. Dark fruit emerges—think plum and raisin—with a hint of spice and earth underneath. There's a subtle winey character that suggests this beer has some age on it or is built to age. Less immediately friendly than Innis & Gunn, but more rewarding if you sit with it; the complexity unfolds as it warms.