Skullsplitter Orkney Ale

Pros: Rich, sweet, and warming brew ideal for cooler weather.
Cons: None Come to Mind

Before we begin with this beer, a bit of background is in order. From the label:

Orkney-A small group of islands off the northern tip of Scotland, shrouded in magic and mystery, was the home of Thorfinn Hausakluif (Skullsplitter) 7th Viking...

Pros: A Unique taste of Scotland.
Cons: Somewhat difficult to find.

I've had a bottle of this ale knocking around in my refrigerator for a little a while now. Based upon a few write-ups by a number of pretty dedicated beer geeks and beer fans, I thought it time to pop the cap and give this one a taste....

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Pros: Great complexity, smoke
Cons: Nothing - sell more!

This 8.5% ABV will fill my glass whenever I can take the time to stop by Green's in Atlanta. Skullsplitter marketing states, "Named after Thorfin Hausakliuuf, the seventh earl of Orkney, this is great with chicken or fish dishes, curries and would you ...

Pros: Dark and strong
Cons: Too rich for some palates

THE ORKNEY BREWERY is situated, not surprisingly, on the Isles of Orkney - a small group of islands off the northern tip of Scotland.
Founded by Roger White and his wife Irene in 1988. It is situated in an old schoolhouse on the Mainland of...

Pros: Strong beer with plenty of flavour.
Cons: VERY strong!

Let me tell you about one of the biggest hangovers of my life. It all came about due to a series of events: A Christmas meal, a few friends who like beer and an insatiable curiosity to try new drinks, or the inability to know when to say no! For these...

Pros: a highly artisinal beer with high octane.
Cons: not for the meek or squeamish.

There is a certain point in the night when it's perfect to reach for a strong Scottish Ale. That's about the point that I turn to Skullsplitter. This is a strong ale from Orkney that states its case well. Skullsplitter is named after Thorfinn...

Pros: Great strong ale
Cons: None

This could be my favorite beer. Skullsplitter is a fine example of strong ale. This is a distinct beer style that is characterized by high alcohol content and rich maltiness. Skullsplitter is brewed in the northern reaches of Scotland in the Orkney...

Pros: strong flavour, strong buzz, pretty bottle that impresses the ladies
Cons: not really much of one, but it does cost more than your average pint and it's only 11.2 oz.

Orkney Island's brew Skullsplitter is a fine ale available for less denaro than some of the other expensive imports I've been writing about. However, don't let this appear as a sign of inferiority. This is a great beer. I believe it is a cask ale, but...

Pros: The flavor and texture are complex and smooth.
Cons: It is difficult to find here in the midwest, but well worth the search.

My boyfriend has traveled the world and taken in many, many unique beers in doing so. Imagine the pleasure I took in being the first between us to experience a Skullsplitter! It is now a favorite (if not THE favorite) beer for both of us. It is just sweet enough to go down easy but not too sweet as to grow tiring. Obviously one should take notice of the high alcohol content and plan their evening accordingly. But, that being said I can say nothing negative about Skullsplitter. It is simply an excellent brew and one that we take great pleasure in introducing to our friends.