Now pouring at Stout’s Growlers: Cherry Street They’ve Gone to Plaid Scotch Ale. OK, a couple or reasons I wanted this beer. First, they had me at Scotch Ale. Second, the name is straight out of one of my favorite movies, Spaceballs. You may recall the scene when Dark Helmet (who also has a beer named for him) and his evil henchman Colonel Sandurz are pursuing our heroes Lonestar and his faithful sidekick Barf. When Dark Helmet orders Colonel Sanders to go to Ridiculous speed, they quickly speed by the Eagle 5, and space turns plaid.

“They’ve gone to plaid,” mutters Barf, and unbeknownst to him, but knownst to us, a beer name is born.

Oh yeah, and did I mentioned this beer is barrel aged? There is no listing for this beer on the Cherry Street Brewing website, but Stout’s says:

This Strong Scotch Ale has been aged for quite a lengthy time of 15 months in a blend of George Dickel 9 Year and Maker's Mark barrels. Expect ripe flavors of dark fruit, especially cherry and prune, with hints of leather, toffee, and rich caramel malts.

Cherry Street They’ve Gone to Plaid Scotch Ale has an alcohol content of 9% by volume per Stout’s, and I paid $12.25 for my 32-ounce crowler. I have seen Cherry Street specialty brews in a half liter bottle go for $15, so twice the beer for three bucks less seems a good deal to me.

Cherry Street They’ve Gone to Plaid Scotch Ale pours to a muddy black color with a light creamy head on a vigorous pour. The nose is raisins and bourbon. Taking a sip, the beer is dark malty and fruity, with notes of plum pudding and raisiny goodness. Bright cherry and prune poke through, some toffee, plenty of wood, and a permeating bourbon booziness. There is a very warming alcohol finish and the booze really cones out there.

Just an outstanding beer, I enjoyed every sip of it with the complex malty and dark fruity flavors melding with the boozy bourbon notes. In fact, the flavors work so well together one could say that, just like Barf, Cherry Street They’ve Gone to Plaid Scotch Ale is its own best friend.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

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