Scottish Courage McEwan's No. 1 Champion Ale ABV 7.3% • Vol 550 ml • bottle • UK • Mid-price • Flavour 5.5 Other beers from Scottish Courage Other beers from UK

This is a strong ale from the Scottish Courage subsidiary. It won the 1997 Tesco Beer Challenge somehow, hence the slightly pretentious name. The first impression of this beer, in the nose, is of a chip butty. It is acetic and greasy; a most unpromising start. However, this unpleasant aroma fades with the head, eventually becoming firm and malty. In the mouth it is lighter than one might expect: caramel, light hops and some chocolate around the edges. No. 1 is a winter ale and fits into the category well. It is firm and malty, lightly balanced with hops but with a predominantly fruity feel. Gages, plums and black grapes are all present, with some summer fruit (loganberries) making a cameo appearance. The malty fruit lays a thick, cloying carpet of flavour on the palate which develops through the long finish. Unfortunately, the acetic spectre returns in the aftertaste, which is otherwise long and fruity, but with a bizarre touch of aniseed. This is a little unsubtle and overpowering, particularly the overwhelming aroma and some of the odder malt-related notes. Not as dreadful as we were expecting, but still not a top choice for winter. OBBD reviewer: Sparks ADD A COMMENT TO THIS BEER

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Review updated 08 December 1998

Comments

McEwans is the best beer I have ever tasted. Being Scottish, I should know.
Ryan Crawford

I love this beer. The sad thing is I've only had three pints of it and that was over a year ago on the Isle of Mull. I live in memphis, TN.
Dev Starrett

I love this beer - much more body and guts than lighter ales. It is from a warrior race, and it fits the bill. I also enjoy the 80 and 90 shilling ales.
Lee Massie

This strong 'wee heavy'-style ale from Edinburgh's Fountain Brewery tastes suspiciously similiar to the potent 'Scotch' ale that Scotco have exported to mainland Europe for years under various names but has heretofore remained officially unavailable in the UK. If this is the case, its appearance on the shelves of Tesco is a welcome development: according to the label it recently won an "international best beer challenge" so perhaps this competitive success spurred the Scottish giant to give one of its best products the whirl in the home market. It has a beautiful dark amber, ruby-ish colour with a dense foamy head and an invitingly malty, fruity, slightly wine-like aroma. The palate is characteristically dominated by very firm malt, with hints of toffee and wood, and a whiff of spirit-like alcohol. The finish continues the vinous note, beginning like sweet sherry but developing with very well-balanced hop bitterness and tart fruit. A near-classic, if unfortunately not bottle conditioned.
Des de Moor

It's nice.
John Mansbridge

Our lad likes it, as he does most of the McEwans beers, 80 shilling is his current sip.
Grolsch Girl

One of the best beers I have tasted , the alcohol taste is well hidden unlike most strong beers.
David Kennedy

One of the best beers I have tasted in a bottle.
glynn taylor

Your reviewer should lay off the acid before assessing beer. Chip butty - prentious, moi? It's an excellent beer.
Jack Lennon

I'm intrigued as to Sparks's comments: "chip butty" and "pretentious" !! Just get to the point which is; it's a damn good ale with the alcohol content to go with it - stand by ! Should be re-named "Champion Wife Beater" with strength like this !!
Adam Sime

Your review was obviously written by the wrong person. This is one of the finest bottled beers available offering more taste and flavour than the majority of other easily available beers on the market. The only other beer to come close is the Newcastle Star (also a Tesco's winner).
Alan James

Yep, and them Sparks fellas didn't like Newcastle Star either!
Des de Moor

Well I`m hooked on it. It`s on its own, BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO IT? WHERE IS IT? IT IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE... HELP
Melvyn S, Surrey

It`s my favourite by far. But it`s not in the shops or supermarket anymore, so please where can I buy it?
Melvyn S SURREY

Praise be for Tesco's - they seem to stock it the length and breadth of the country - from Stirling to Southend :) Lovely beer to just sit and relax with.
Rob, Stirling.

A fine malty beer, with all the complex flavours that come with a good malt brew. This has a lot in common with a milk stout - dark fruits and an agreeable sweetness with the added twist of licorice. A splendid drink, but not one for those who like hops.
Silk Tork

best served with cheese sprinkled celery salt like a scotch ale in Belgium
Michael Sorensen

Lovely beer ideal for those summer nights under the stars. Just lie down and chill!!!
Mark, Caerphilly

At present 4 bottles for £5 at tesco, a wonderful bargain
Bill, St Helens

Only one comment about this beer. THE VERY BEST OF ALL BEERS. It is a lovely drink at any time.
Brian R.

Simply Great! Drink 6 bottles and your nipples go numb!
David, Bonnybridge

This is simply a blinding ale, Winter beer? rubbish! Enjoy it all year round!! Top brew
Steven Baxter

omigod pseuds corner material if ever there was..this must be the most idiotic review ive read in a long time its an amazingly tasty beer and despite being irish and a celtic fan i still love it
niall devine

The taste is good, and anybody who appreciates a good brew will enjoy this beer. Even the English!
John Penfold

A subtle, understated beer and all the better for it. Underlying flavours of walnuts, dark fruits and double cream - mmmmmm!!! BTW, I emailed the brewery a couple of years ago (when I first tried it) to find out if they had plans to release a bottle/cask conditioned version - unfortunately they haven't.
Martin Brady

Best beer i have ever tasted,lucky i live near Tesco.
Keith ward.

Who's the man pictured on the label?
[Why not try asking this question in the discussion board? -Ed]
ken, glasgow

Exceptionally tasty for such a strong beer-usually these strengths taste more of chemicals than of beer-or wash it the strength that killed my tastebuds?
Wurzal

but of course everyone like their own BRAND!
Cody McEwen

Very heavy,alcohol laden brew. Enjoyable, though it took me a while to finish this one, so good value for money especially at the £5 for 4 at Tesco. I need to try it again though to be totally convinced. Practice makes perfect!
Glyn B

Top beer! It's got balls!
Gordon Heath

Taste's like beer should taste,
Maurice Darling

I have drunk hundreds of bottles of this beer and I think it is excellent. It has strength and body like a good beer should. Mind you, I never drink more than one bottle per night. Maybe it is an acquired taste, but if it is it didn't take me long to acquire it. It may be an idea for Sparks to try another bottle and then let us know if he has changed his views. I obtain my stocks from Morrisons who also sell it at four bottles for a fiver. Derek Haworth
Derek Haworth

With an overtone of fruits and a slap that reminds you of warm and spicy winter evenings this is a beer thats second to none. The strong aroma of roasted hops, and subtle bitter aftertaste, this is a beer that will have the hardiest of beer drinkers asking for more....
P.R.Hopkins

Where does one get this great beer now they have stopped selling it in my club they cant get it anymore.I phoned McEwans to ask them where I can buy it and they said that they have never heard of it have I been drinking the best of beers for years by an unknown brewery of McEwan's that they dont know about
D.J. Moyes

champion
michael j carleton

Very nice sweet stong ale, malty and smooth ........very fruity..excellent beer!!
C.Sefton

All these comments seem to be from MEN - well here's one from a woman - this is the best beer ever!!! My fridge is constantly stocked.
Jacqui

For Ken in Glasgow, the gentleman on the front is the McEwan's cavalier. The beer is now called simply "McEwan's Champion Ale". you should still be able to get it in Tesco (Asda may do it too - and it never hurts to ask them!) and it can also be purchased in a mixed case with Theakston's old Peculiar and Courage Best Bitter.
the McEwan's cavalier lady!

My bro and I went to Scotland this past summer (I live in the US) and he loved McEwen's Champion Ale. He had a merry ole time drinking that in Edinburgh. Anyway, he's turning 21 (which means he's finally legal here!), and I would love to get ahold of a case or two for his 'coming of age'. Any ideas how I can get some shipped to the US? If you know, please e-mail me at holy_loved@hotmail.com
Melissa, California

Hey where can you find McEwans or Belhave 90/- on tap ? I checked few pubs in Edinburgh but they don't seem to have it...!!
Yannick the frog

Very strong Beer, enjoyable - the bar at the bottom of my hill has started stocking three or four bottled beers now and this was one of them. Will definately be drinking more of this stuff!....
Glen Urquhart

Where can you buy this brilliant Ale. Tescos have stopped selling and ASDA's can't get stock. Is there anywhere else it is available.!
[Why not ask the question on our discussion forum? -Ed]
Mark Stewart

Excellent muscle relaxant
El Bunglio

Very moreish (dangerous at this strength) without the heaviness of most strong ales. Sweet and fruity finish. My favourite at the moment
Echoooo

dark, strong, sweet, easy to drink, but not many! take heed [Score: 8]
phil doyle

Asdas have had it for ages often on the 3 for £4. At least in my area NE Lincs.
Al Chapman

Can someone tell me the difference (if there is any) between the above beer and the wonderfully delicious McEwan's Scotch Ale I am able to get here in Orlando, FLorida, USA? I'm just curious if the Scots get different than me. I love the McEwan's - but I have so little experience with any (real - non-American) beers that I don't know what I should be looking for at my local establishments.
Harlen L. McCauslin III

It's sunday roast with all the trimmings, or even, my christmas dinner, in a glass. Best beer, ever!
Nessmp3

This is available in Morrisons in their excellent 4 for £5 range
Jim Brown

well i can only describe it as the dogs bollocks of all beers absolutely brilliant!!!! try it
brad

its the best beer money can buy! full of flavour and strong with it!
Peter Edmunds

Too strong and has an aftertaste that lingers longer than it should. Dont waste your money.
A beer is a beer

How can you call this a waste of money? Four for a fiver! Quite simply an astonishing ale. I too agree that the flavour belies the strength. At this moment in time I don't think there is a better bottled beer on the market.
Cheddar George

Now I like this one ...sorry sparks but I'd give this a 7.5 - lot's of real flavour and a sweetness which suit's this type of strong ale. ...too easily drinkable (which admittedly is a contradiction!) 2 or 3 bottles and mebbe's even "Dancing on Ice" would be watchable ......ok probably not!
Peter J

Helps a hopeless Hibees fan get over an absolute Jambo humping in the semi final of the Scottish cup!!
Mark Shipton

4 for a fiver at Morrisons HIc hiC I need more...
Ken Drinkin as we speak

I need to buy at least 25 cases of this beer, can I get them from distributor in Florida? I need this for Oct. 21-22 Cultural Fair in Bahamas.I need other Scottish brands too.
Mrs. Carmelita Hall

On a par with the sadly discontinued Newcastle Star. Frankly this is the only beer you will ever need.
AJ113

I have to say this one's a bit OTT for regular quaffing (& not particularly because of it's strength) more worryingly I agree with Sparks(!) it is rather cloying yet bitter in the finish ..loads of "taste" but for me it's a bit too sweetish.
Peter J

Is this the best beer Mc Ewan's brew? Flavour, colour, texture, strength - simple, really. Don't knock it's Tesco roots. 4 for a fiver at Morrison's is cause to celebrate indeed!
Rob Wosley

drinking one now what else is there to say its superb,just discoverd it in tescos Arbroath and hope I can buy it in england once I run out
paul g

I live near coventry ( england Midlands) and its in my local tesco and other tesco express's aswell slight change in the label bu. "what a beer"!!!!!!!!!!!!
scottie t

One of my favourites, does not seem to taste as strong as it is, but it is a fine drink, I always smell the top of the bottle before i drink it and it takes me back up the high road. nice.
yorkshire terrier

I love it. I buy it at my local ASDA. I go there for the beer and end up buying all my groceries. A clever marketing tool!
Adam

This is a superb beer, strong and tasty, but without that 'alcohol' taste you tend to get with high strength beers. I couldn't drink much of it, but after a hard days work, a cool Champion ale is totally refreshing and somehow makes the world a much nicer place to be. This is one of the best beers I have ever tasted.
Sandy

This is a "wee heavy", McEwans should be complimented in making such a beer available to the mass market. Certainly the most complex beer available in the big chains and worthy of the No1 name. world class
Herd

If you like this beer, which I do, then try Brakspear's Triple - similar in strength but not quite as 'Thick'
Jonesy

This beer is the best I've had in years, to the point if I can't buy it I don't buy anything else. It's Grrreat.
Derek F

Lately I have not been able to buy this - is there a problem? It is the best beer I have tasted.
george duff

tescos dont stock this anymore, where can i get it now, its my favourite
shaun

Sparks, for God's sake man stop fannying around with the Queen's Verbatim. If you've got something to say then say it without being overly pretentious. Personally in my opinion I think that McEwans No. 1 Champion Ale is an absolute belter and I would say that this seems to be the opinion of most. Just one last comment. Jacqui please tell me you'll marry me.
RockandRoll

Excelent both on draught and in the bottle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ABOW

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