David Brockington's Tasting Notebook

Moylans Brewery and Restaraunt
(short notes)

Novato, California, USA
December 28, 1999

I've visited Moylans several times since they opened in 1995.  One of the two head brewers, Paddy Giffen (the other being Brendan Moylan) was something of a legend in homebrewing circles, and a genuinely nice guy.  Indeed, the year my stout won the gold medal at nationals, his Scottish won best of show.  Moylans is known for uncompromising ales of exacting standards, and legitimately held in high regard.  The notes below are from a visit to the brewery on December 28, 1999.

Kilt Lifter Scottish Ale
Dark amber, almost red in the glass.  A heavy malty aroma dominates, with a hint of chocolate in the background.  The beer opens with a near cloying caramel flavor, moves into a big malty middle, and finishes with a solid maltiness with just enough balancing bitterness.  I'm not a fan of the style, though this is one of the few that I would happily order again.  

 
Moylans Imperial Stout Imperial Stout
Here is a winner.  This guy clocks in at 9.7% ABV, sports a jet black appearance with a tan head.  All one would expect in an Impy is in this beer.  Maltiness, coffee, chocolate dominate the aroma, yet the beer opens innocuously enough with a straight, basic maltiness in the flavor.  This quickly slides into a variety of flavors, including chocolate, coffee, toffee, caramel.  The beer comes across as sweetish at this point, before a sharp balancing bitterness smooths things out.  A lingering alcoholic warmth lasts long after the beer is done.