MacTarnahan Brewing Co.'s Noble Scot Scottish Ale

    
     Looks like we've got a new seasonal from MacTarnahan's between the Grifter IPA and the Humbug'r Porter.  The Noble Scot pours a hazy blood orange color.  Strong carbonation produced about a finger worth of slightly-tan head; drained quickly. Aroma is dominated by huge amounts of caramel, biscuit, toast, and other rich malts.  Tons of esters coming through; maybe some strawberry and dark berry.  Earthy, herbal noble hop character.
     First impression upon taste is that it is incredibly earthy.  Ripe berry surrounds a toasty malt flavor.  Ends a little bitter with maybe just a little hop spice.  A phenolic smokey sweetness lingers in the mouth.  Medium body . Medium-strong carbonation.
     Not bad and pretty solid for the style.  A nice deal for the price. 

Pyramid Brewing Co.'s Oktoberfest Autumn Lager

  
     What's with all the pumpkin beers hitting the shelves so early this year?  It's nice to see the fall seasonals, but August is way too soon for pumpkin-flavored anything.  Anyway, definitely not going to complain about the Oktoberfest beers at any time of the year.  I've always been a bit disappointed in the lack of breweries in America that don't take a shot at a good Marzen. Pyramid's take comes in at a monster 6.7% ABV. It pours a very dark orange color; almost like a reddish-orange.  Just a tad hazy. Strongly carbonated, big finger of fizzy head when poured.  Retention seems strong. Nice lacing.  Aroma is very toasty.  Getting a bit of dark fruit character from the crystal malt.  Very clean and crisp on the rose.  Some hop spiciness and herb. 
     Hits the tongue pretty sweet and evolves into a very rich malt character.  Crystal malt is almost candy-like.  Something really standing out for me is that it is extremely well-carbonated.  Seems a tad too bitter, but it's mostly accentuated through carbonation.  Some earth notes.  Candy sweetness and herbal hops linger.
     There's really nothing too special about this one, but what really kills it for me is the carbonation.  It's certainly not helping in any way.  It's cheap, as Pyramid always is, and it seems you're getting what you paid for on this one.