Shesquatch Scottish Ale

Review Date 1/13/2026 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Scottish Ale   Brewery: Buck Bald   Country: USA   State: North Carolina   $ Per OZ: $.41 (B), $.41 (D)   ABV: 5.3%

Here’s a beer so good I had it at the brewery and bought some more to take home: Buck Bald Shesquatch Scottish Ale. Scottish Ale is a wonderfully malty, sticky, toffeeish style, and I’m often asked if it is the same thing as Scotch Ale. It’s not. The latter, often called Wee Heavy, is even maltier, stickier, and toffeeier. Errr, I took sone poetic license with that last modifier, but you get the idea.

Buck Bald has you covered on both styles, or at least they did when I was at their Murphy, North Carolina location. When both are pouring, and if you are in the area, I suggest a stop by for a session of beer school. The lesson planner says you will have a firm understanding of the distinctions if you order a pint (or half pint) each of Shesquatch and Clay Bald's Stotter Aboot Wee Heavy Scotch Ale with Hazelnut as I did. Yes, the latter is slightly varied from style with the hazelnut, but there is no mistaking it as a Scotch Ale.

Buck Bald says:

This delicious brew is dark and brooding like the Shesquatch herself, and just as elusive. The Shesquatch is light brown in color with just a hint of caramel. Our Scottish Ale is easy to drink with a complex malt flavor enhanced by tradional Scottish Ale yeast.

You will find this tasty Scottish lass only in the taproom.

You will believe!

Buck Bald Shesquatch Scottish Ale has an alcohol content of 5.3% by volume and I paid $6.50 for a pint at the brewery and $6.50 for a pint can to go. I do not know if the beer was cheaper as a 4-pack. I would certainly buy a 4-pack next time I visit. My can was stamped PKG 10/27/25.

Buck Bald Shesquatch Scottish Ale pours to a dark mahogany color with a thick fluffy tan head and a nose of sweet toffee and treacle malts. Taking a sip, the beer is medium bodied, thick and sticky with the same sweet toffee and burnt treacle the nose promised. There’s a decided herbal grassy note throughout, and a slight bitter punch helps balance the finish.

Really and truly wonderful, and an excellent example of the style. Do not miss it.

.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??