Scottish Ale Extract Beer Recipe Kits
Scottish Ales are smooth, malty, and built for slow sipping, especially the higher alcohol versions. Scottish Ales range from the balanced drinkability of export-style ales to the powerful richness of Wee Heavies. Our Scottish Ale extract beer recipe kits let you brew deep, caramel-forward beers that favor toast and tradition over flash and hops. Brew one to share, or cellar it for a long winter's night. They only get better with age.
Our Scottish Ale extract beer kits are great for beginner brewers and intermediate brewers using just about any home brew kit. If you need gear, check out our beer-making equipment kits — they pair perfectly with all recipes we sell. Every beer recipe kit we offer is hand made fresh to your order, one at a time, and comes complete with everything you need to brew a great-tasting beer at home.
Frequently Asked Questions: Scottish Ale Extract Beer Recipe Kits
What is a Scottish Ale?
Scottish Ales are malt-forward beers known for their smooth, toasty character and clean fermentation. Unlike their English cousins, Scottish Ales tend to showcase malt sweetness with minimal hop presence, often with notes of caramel, toast, and a whisper of peat-like earthiness, which results from the yeast fermentation instead of peat malt being used.
What’s the difference between a Scottish Ale and a Scotch Ale (Wee Heavy)?
Scottish Ales are typically lower in alcohol and include styles like 60/-, 70/-, and 80/- (known as Light, Heavy, and Export). Scotch Ales — or “Wee Heavies” — are higher in strength and richer in flavor, often aged and sipped like a fine malt whiskey.
What does Scottish Ale taste like?
Scottish ales have smooth malt character with flavors of toffee, caramel, and toasted bread. Some versions may show subtle smokiness or light roasted notes, but bitterness is always restrained. It’s a style built for balance, not flash.
Can I brew a lower-alcohol Scottish Ale?
Yes — Scottish Ales are known for their approachable strength and easy-drinking nature. Export-style ales around 5% ABV are perfect for sipping by the pint.
Try our Tam-o'-Shanter Scottish Export — a malty, balanced 5.1% ABV ale inspired by classic Scottish pub pours. Great flavor, great drinkability, no kilt required.
Can I brew a strong, high-alcohol Scotch Ale?
Absolutely. Scotch Ales, or Wee Heavies, are perfect for cooler nights, long aging, and slow sipping. They’re big, malty, and rich — often with notes of dark fruit, toffee, and warming alcohol.
Can you age a high-alcohol Scottish Ale?
Yes. High-gravity Scotch Ales develop beautifully over time, mellowing alcohol warmth and enhancing malt depth. Store them cool and dark — and if you’re patient, they’ll reward you with layers of rich flavor.
What food pairs well with Scottish Ale?
Hearty dishes like shepherd’s pie, roasted lamb, sausage, and smoked meats are perfect companions. The malty sweetness also pairs well with sharp cheddar, roasted root vegetables, or sticky toffee pudding. Pay attention, because we're going to hold you to each of these pairing suggestions.
No dinner plans? Just pair it with a Highland sunset, a crusty old novel, and the low hum of imaginary bagpipes off in the distance you'll undoubtedly hear after drinking a few wee heavies!