#mcewan's

[melbmemories]

A close up showing a McEwan's store in Swanston Street Melbourne in 1869.

James McEwan Hardware had traded on the Ballarat Goldfields from the 1850s, so this makes sense to have a shop in Swanston Street in 1869

An early look at Flinders St Station top of photo

[thrandys-nonsense]

McEwan’s Scotch Ale, 8.00%ABV

Here’s the thing, I bought two of these.  I had one right away, and I wasn’t very impressed.  It was good, but not great.  The other one has been sitting around for a few months.  Not exactly “aged”, but some time.  I put a few beers in the fridge when I got home, and I forgot that this was one of them, so it’s cool but not cold.  I almost just took a quick cell photo of this, thinking it was just “okay.”

Something in there made this better.  Maybe it’s a little bit of aging, maybe the warmer temp it allowing those flavors to pop through, but this is really good now.

Wonderful smell, sweet, caramel and vanilla tones.  Awesome color, intense.  The taste is quite sweet, again the caramel and vanilla tones pop through.  You can tell this is a higher alcohol beer, the intensity gives it away but there’s no burn or anything like that.  A nice, creamy mouthfeel to it with the flavor fading away to a residual sweetness that makes you need to take another sip.

I’m so glad I bought two of these, because after the first one I wouldn’t have bought it again.  Now, I would definitely buy this again.  Next time I’ll make sure to age it a bit and serve it warmer than usual!

9.3/10

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