Bottle number 2 of the evening – moments before the Argentina vs Holland World Cup match – is Caledonian 80/-

This is my first ale from the Caledonian Brewery.

The label says that is is the bottled equivalent of the Cask Conditioned version of the brewery’s inaugural CAMRA Champion Beer of Scotland.

Caledonian 80/- is made using crystal malt and roast barley – and is hand crafted in their original Victorian brewhouse using Britain’s last remaining direct fired open coppers. The malt infusion and hop flowers are boiled vigorously giving the ale its distinctive flavour.

But the proof of the pudding is in the eating. And it certainly is malty – very malty. It’s very tasty but you can tell it isn’t one of your stronger ales. Coming in at 4.1% it is quite a low alcohol content for a bottle. Saying that it is quite tasty.

There is a weird aftertaste – and I’m not sure what it is. First of all I thought it was chocolately – but it isn’t that. I think it is a kind of burnt taste – but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

This isn’t one of my favourites. But is it ok. I’ve had better – and I have had worse.