Losing your way in Atlantic Highlands

It is a rainy day here in the Atlantic Highlands. Getting out of bed was a chore. The steady drumbeat of rain on the roof made the decision to go for a walk/run a less than thrilling prospect. Un-daunted I laced up the running shoes, pulled on my ugly, old Government Issue, Gore-Tex Parka and off I went. The air was heavy and wet, the birds were silent and the gloomy gray skies made it difficult to work up anything resembling a vigorous pace. Up Grand and Up East Washington I went. As my mood began to lift I said to myself “Today, I am going to do something different.” The sign for Lenape Woods beckoned and the chance for a bit of trail running seemed to be a good prospect, so into the woods I went. I had some fun though it was not what I had planned. Sure, I got the chance to explore the woods on a rainy day and scramble down a few trails, but somehow I lost my way and ended up bushwhacking into the parking lot of the Thousand Oaks complex. From there it was but a short jog out onto Route 36 and back down Lake to Sears Landing and East Washington and thence Home. I got in my workout, “explored” the east side of town and made it home with enough time to enjoy a hot shower and a walk through town. The work on the pavers in front of city hall is progressing nicely, several commercial buildings are getting facelifts and with the new ice cream parlor our little downtown is looking better all the time.
Speaking of cold and damp highlands in general makes me think of Scotch Ale. What is in a name? Political-correctness aside, the Scots have always been the butt of jokes about being miserly and penurious. For example “It is said that all Scots have a sense of humor - because it is a free gift!” When it comes to Scotch Ales, however, nothing could be further from the truth. A Scotch Ale is typically a rich and generously complex brew that can lift the gloom of a damp rainy evening and satisfy the yearning for a malty tipple that is not so alcoholic that a second glass on a week-day is ill advised. Scottish ales come in different varieties; light, heavy and export. Before England and Scotland went to the New Pence (decimal based currency) these ales were categorized by the tax levy based on the beers original gravity: 60 shilling (light) 70 shilling (heavy) and 80 Shilling to 120 Shilling (export) There were versions of 120 Shilling or more that were often called a “Wee Heavy”.
Scottish Ales traditionally go through a longer boil in the kettle resulting in a varied degree of caramelization. This also results in a deep copper to brown color and a higher level of un-fermentable sugars. The Scotch Ale will have a rich mouth feel as well as a malty flavor and aroma (chocolate, toffee, molasses and some malted milk-like flavors). Hopping levels are generally low, though some light floral or herbal notes are generally present but the caramelized malts are the backbone. Peaty/Smoky characteristics are also common especially in the heavier versions where some peat smoked malt may be used to offset some of the sweeter malt notes.

Scotch Ales are not that hard to find locally. Some examples of this style that are usually available in our area include: St. Andrew’s Ale (4.60% A.B.V. - light) Belhaven Scottish Ale (5.2% A.B.V. - heavy) McEwan’s Scotch Ale( 8.0% A.B.V. - export), Skullsplitter (8.5% A.B.V. – “Wee Heavy”) and Old Chub Scottish Style Ale (8.0% A.B.V. -“Wee Heavy”). Sam Adam’s has a respectable “Scotch Ale” that has some nice peaty notes but it is only available seasonally as part of a sampler twelve pack. Long Trail “Hibernator” is a lighter Scotch Style Ale that is tasty and a nice introduction to the style. If you are really lucky you can latch on to a six pack of Three Floyd’s “Robert the Bruce.” I have seen this at Spirits Unlimited in Red Bank on and off over the last year or so.
As Voltaire said: “We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilization.” On a rainy day at the Bay Shore there is little more civilized than reading Robert Burns aloud, sipping a strong malty brew and finding, thus again, one’s way in the world.