Ah, 2019. If we had only known what was in store for us then, we might have enjoyed life a little more. Back in May of 2019, I was vacationing in Laughlin, Nevada, and of course for me, vacationing includes beer. I was playing slots in the Tropicana casino and enjoying a pint of Four Peaks Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Amber Ale from the neighboring state of Arizona. The Tropicana features the Brew Brothers Tap House, where we had lunched earlier that day, and this is where I got my pint.

I paid $6.50 for my pint and took these notes:

Four Peaks Kilt Lifter. Delightful treacle notes in the nose, toasted nuts, toffee and very subtle raisin in the wonderful malty palate, balanced finish. I’m in love with this one.

Fast forward to late December f 2020. Yes, that 2020. There was no vacation this year. No beer festivals, no Taco Mac, no brewery visits. Minimal trips even to the liquor store for beer, and even then at the crack of dawn to avoid crowds. For the most part, life was a matter of staying home and staying safe. One of the few bright spots was Craftshack.com, and when I saw they had Four Peaks Kilt Lifter in stock, it was time for a revisit.

Four Peaks says:

Kilt Lifter is our award-winning flagship brew, crafted in the tradition and honor of the great strong ales of Scotland. Take one sip and you’ll swear it had been brewed by men in kilts. Maybe it was.

Four Peaks Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Amber Ale has an alcohol content of 6% by volume, and I paid $3.58 for my bottle from Craftshack. Total Wine sells it (but not in Georgia for $8.99 a six-pack, $13.99 a 12-pack, and $23.99 a case. The latter is a very good deal indeed. My bottle has a freshness date of 11MAY21, and I drank it in early January.

Four Peaks Kilt Lifter Scottish Style Amber Ale in the bottle. The nose is softer than I recall with a little toffee. Taking a sip, the palate does not disappoint, the burnt treacle-toffee, the toasted nuts, the delightful maltiness explode across the palate. The raisin is not here, but the beer is still wonderful and finishes with a kiss of grassy bitter hops.

On tap, this 90 shilling beer was an exceptional Scottish Ale and merited four and a half stars in my book, I enjoyed it so much. In the bottle, it’s a little less formidable but still a wonderful glass of beer. Given the bargain price, though, I’m inclined to stick with my original rating.

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, Canned

(D)=Draft