As Mike Myers memorably stated "if it's no Scottish, it's crap". I will be spending time this week with some Scots, and so I decided to choose a beer that fit the bill, as it were, to get in the mood. Living now by Ithaca, I can shop at the rather fantastic Ithaca Coffee Co. which roasts and sells coffee, obviously, desserts too, and fabulous and amazing cheeses. The best part of the deal is the FREE cheese on the sample plate, so I dug in fast and furiously, as it was the lunch hour, and I didn't feel guilty for the free lunch (smoked Swiss! creamy Gouda!) cause I knew I was gonna spend some money on coffee, and of course, BEER. This store has LOTS of beer, maybe not the biggest selection in the world, but a terrific collection of six packs, big bottles and singles, and who knows what they have in the big cooler in back, cause I haven't looked yet. You know what? Their prices seem reasonable, too.

I bought many beers this week. Today's beer choice was Belhaven Scottish Ale and, folks, it is not crap. My companion in life, hereafter referred to as "the wife", was making a smashing dinner, thankfully nothing Scottish, and I poured some for her and got into some for myself. The first sip told me I had made a mistake: I should never have poured some for the wife, as I could have hogged it all for myself. I told her something like "if you don't start drinking that, I will have to drink it myself". She took my threat seriously.

Anyway, I am Alan's worst reviewer because generally all you get from me is "I really like this beer!" along with a lot of nonsense, and so far, that is all you have read so far. I do really like this beer, and would drink it everyday in Scotland, or Ithaca, it is that yummy. It is a very dark amber color, almost brown, with not a lot of fluffy foam. Here's the kicker. The wife and I have recently (and often before) enjoyed Smuttynose Scotch Ale from New Hampshire, and it is a hairy old dog, so strong it is almost scary. A challenge for the taste buds. Belhaven is its mellow old uncle from the old country, relaxed and tasty and friendly, and as I say, here is the kicker, to this unschooled palate: it tastes kinda like a porter. Pour it for me blindfolded, and that's what I would say. The wife and I finished off her excellent dinner (you people would be jealous if you knew how good it was) and had a chocolately thing for dessert, with shots of that other Scottish import, Scotch. I am ready for my Scottish visitors....