Beer of the Week: American Brewing’s Big Bad Plaid

Big Bad Plaid

American Brewing Company, Edmonds

Style: Scotch

Stats: 6.5 percent ABV, 30 IBU, 16.4 OG

Available: 22-ounce bottles.

My thoughts: Skip Madsen has been known to brew a scotch ale.

The former Pike Brewing and Boundary Bay head brewer has written recipes for two of the Northwest’s most iconic scotch ales in Pike’s Kilt Lifter ale and Boundary Bay’s Scotch Ale.

So it’s no surprise that American Brewing’s CEO Neil Fallon has been prodding Madsen to brew a scotch since he hired him to be the brewmaster at the Edmonds brewery in 2010.

After taking on IPAs, a stout, and a blonde among others as ABC’s brewer, Madsen relented and turned his gaze back to scotch. The result is American Brewing’s Big Bad Plaid Scotch Ale.

Madsen’s newest creation pours a deep, mahogany brown. The aroma has that nice malty bite that Americanized scotch ales usually have.

I hate to compare it to the Kilt Lifter and BB’s scotch, but it’s hard not to. Big Bad Plaid is definitely in the same family. There is the same roasted malty flavor and nice hop finish that Madsen’s other creations exhibit.

I try to avoid scotch ales that overdo the malt and become too sweet. Like his previous creations, Madsen avoids that issue with Big Bad Plaid, creating a good balance between the malt and hops. This is a very drinkable beer.

As for the taste, there are notes of molasses and caramel, but nothing overpowering. I will say that it doesn’t have the same rounded malt complexity of Boundary Bay’s Scotch Ale and is much closer in form to the Kilt Lifter, which finishes with that nice bitterness.

This is a good, solid addition to Madsen’s scotch oeuvre.

— Aaron Swaney

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.