Beer 289 - Strathaven Trumpeter (2.5 stars out of 5)

From the Strathaven Brewery, Strathaven, Scotland.  Bought by Andy and given to me when we were there two weeks ago.  Drunk at home in Katy, TX while preparing dinner for Patricia and I while she studied.

The brewery web site: http://www.strathavenales.co.uk/

The web site and bottle say "Trumpeter. A strong dark ale with a generous ration of Scottish oats and a mixture of roasted barley giving it a coffee flavour, smooth dark appearance and a satisfying hoppy taste. 

Its name derives from an unfortunate 14 year old trumpeter attached to Claverhouse's troops at the battle of Drumclog in 1679. During the battle Claverhouse lost his horse and commandeered the Trumpeters mount.  The unfortunate boy was caught and killed at Calderwell and his body thrown down a well, now known as trumpeter's well, which can be seen to this day at Caldermill on the A71 outside Strathaven, still haunted by the trumpeter's ghost."

I drank the beer at room temperature, when it probably should have been chilled a little.  The chocolate coffee flavor came through strongly, detracting a lot from the taste of the beer.