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Caledonian
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Caledonian, 80 Shilling (Scotland) 
The cask version of Caledonian's 80/- is a real ale staple in Scottish pubs, brewed in direct fired open coppers. It pours a light ruby colour with a fluffy, moderately persistent off-white head, and offers aromas biscuity malt, a touch of leafy, damp earth and some liquoricy character. On the palate it is smooth and creamy without being thick, and there's a nice balance between a certain fruitiness and a surge of bitter hopd flavours that makes it quite subtle, mellow and very easy to drink, yet the beer has some earthy integrity. 4.1% ABV, 50cl, �1.70, Waitrose.  | |
Caledonian, Deuchars IPA (Scotland)
This IPA has a medium, burnished gold colour and a creamy, but fast disippating head. On the nose there's a lovely softness and weight of marmalade-scented fruit, hedgerow hops and a background maltiness. It flows onto the palate with great harmony: a seamless, tangy and crisp fruit character with creamy texture and a nice grapefruity hop bitterness into the finish. This beer might not be decisive enough for some who like a lot of hoppy acrobatics, but I thought it was gentle and lovely stuff. 4.4% ABV, 50cl, �1.69, Asda, Luvians, Sainsbury's, quite widely available. |  |
Caledonian, Golden Promise Organic Beer (Scotland)
Golden promise claims to be the world's first organic beer, brewed in the early 1990's from Scottish malt and English Target hops. It pours a nice deep gold, with a hint of bronze, and a moderate, off-white head. It is a very appealing, pure beer on the nose, with toasty grains, a hint of honey and plenty of leafy hop aromas. There is a tiny sulphur note in there, but it is not off-putting. On the palate it is smooth and creamy, with medium body and a very citrussy, fresh style. The acidity and sharpness of this beer is good, with a bitter hop bite and quite long finish. A very nice organic beer that is light and summery. 5.0% ABV, 50cl, �1.59, Booth's, Safeway, Sainsbury's, Tesco. |  |
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