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I am delighted to award Beer of the Month for May to the House Ale from Traquair. This brewery is based in a historic house around 30 miles south of Edinburgh, which dates from the 10th century and has accommodated
Edward I and II of England, Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie prince Charlie in its time. You can track down House Ale, and the equally brilliant Jacobite Ale, in around 100 independent retailers in the UK.
Traquair, House Ale (Scotland) 
The House Ale is a dramatically dark, almost black beer with a hint of caramel at the core. The dense head is creamy and cappuccino-coloured. On the nose it is very serious, deep and intense, with some plummy fruit, charred toast and a black chocolate note. There's a herbal or vegetal note too, in a very complex profile. On the palate it is densely textured and smooth, with a fabulous depth of bittersweet flavours that are toasty and smoky, with aspects of exotic spices, Pedro Ximinez sherry and a Port-like, slightly firey finish. This is a beer to sip (at room temperature) and contemplate rather than to quaff, and is another terrific effort from Traquair. 7.2% ABV, 33cl, ?1.89, Peckhams.  |  |
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