Hop Lot's Woad Warrior Scotch Ale

Bottoms Up

By Craig Manning | March 9, 2024

An undervalued but wonderful style of beer, the Scotch ale is known for its full-bodied character, rich maltiness, subtle sweetness, and delicious flavor notes of caramel, roasted toffee, and stone fruit. It’s a perfect beer for this kind of in-between season—not as dark and heavy as a wintertime stout, but also not as crisp and refreshing as a summer-ready IPA. If you’re feeling a craving for Scotch ale these days, head to Hop Lot Brewing in Suttons Bay. Their take on the style, called the Woad Warrior, is a richly flavorful and perfectly balanced beer that goes down easier than its 7.8 percent ABV might suggest. (And it tastes especially great paired with a trio of Hop Lot’s tacos!) Grab a pint at 658 SW Bay Shore Dr. in Suttons Bay. hoplotbrewing.com