WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Newcastle is kicking off a new series of "collaboration edition" beers made with some of Europe's finest and oldest breweries.
To brew the first offering in the series, Newcastle turned to its Edinburgh, Scotland-based sister brewery, Caledonian, to develop a special ale that brings world-class traditional British brewing to casual beer drinkers around the world.
The Newcastle Scotch Ale collaboration is a limited-time offering from Newcastle and Caledonian that represents the best of English and Scottish brewing: a rich, full-flavored and fulfilling Scottish ale with toffee notes at 6.4% ABV and 40 IBUs. Scotch Ale is a bold yet balanced beer that will please lifelong Newcastle fans as well as more adventurous drinkers.
"Newcastle Scotch Ale is a well-balanced, malt-forward brew with a delightful velvety finish," said actor, blogger and beer aficionado Wil Wheaton. "Basically, Newcastle and Caledonian made a kick-ass beer that does not suck."
Wheaton will star in a pair of videos aimed at making beer connoisseurship accessible and fun.
"One of our dreams is to get rid of the 'intimidation' factor that prevents so many people from forgoing boring 'yellow beer' and enjoying more interesting brews," said Brett Steen, brand manager for Newcastle Brown Ale. "Wil is an inviting and knowledgeable guy, and we're stoked that he's taking this herculean effort of humor and wisdom onto himself so we don't have to."
The new Scotch Ale was developed as a collaboration between Newcastle and Caledonian and is brewed at the Caledonian's Edinburgh brewery. It uses only traditional British brewing methods, including using only whole-flower hops and heating the original 1869 copper kettles with open flames.
The Newcastle Collaboration Series will roll out throughout 2015 and include new beers made in partnership with some of Europe's oldest breweries. Scotch Ale will be available beginning mid-November 2014 through February 2015. The brew will be available nationally in six-packs and 12-packs and on draught in select markets.
Newcastle Brown Ale is imported by beer importer Heineken USA Inc., White Plains, N.Y., a subsidiary of Heineken International BV. Brands include Heineken, Heineken Light,
Amstel Light, Newcastle Brown Ale, Strongbow Hard Apple Ciders and Desperados. It also imports the Dos Equis, Tecate, Sol, Indio, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico.
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