Cold Smoke Beer: The Bold Choice for Beer Lovers

Cold Smoke Scotch Ale packs a rich, malty punch that's made it Montana's go-to winter beer for over two decades. This 6.5% ABV brew from KettleHouse Brewing combines carefully selected Montana barley with Yakima Valley hops, creating a smooth, full-bodied scotch ale that's earned four Gold medals at the North American Beer Awards.

Jackson Hole Marketplace stocks fresh Cold Smoke alongside our curated selection of craft beers. Stop by our store at 4125 U.S. 89 to grab a pack, or call us at (307) 200-6453 to check availability. 

Tim O'Leary and Suzy Rizza launched KettleHouse Brewing Company in 1995, starting with a brew-on-premises setup in Missoula that let customers make their own beer. By 2002, they developed Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, which quickly became their flagship beer. The brewery expanded steadily, opening their Northside location in 2009 and a larger facility in Bonner by 2017.

KettleHouse made waves in Montana's beer scene when they became the first brewery in the state to can their beers in 2006. This move to cans improved both portability and freshness while reducing their environmental impact. A 2017 legislative change letting breweries produce up to 60,000 barrels annually (up from 10,000) enabled KettleHouse to distribute Cold Smoke more widely across the region.

The grain mix in Cold Smoke uses specific ratios that create its strong malt flavor. Montana-grown two-row barley makes up 75% of the base grain. Medium and dark crystal malts take up 15% of the mix, which give the beer its toffee and dark fruit flavors. The last 10% comes from chocolate malt and roasted barley. They add color and a strong finish without making the tasting notes harsh or bitter.

The beer goes through three fermentation stages. First, it ferments for five days at 55°F to develop its main flavors. Then the temperature slowly rises to 60°F over two days, which helps the yeast remove any off-flavors. Finally, the beer sits at 35°F for two weeks. This cold period helps combine all the flavors while removing proteins and tannins that could make the beer cloudy.

Cold Smoke's measurements show exactly what's in the beer. It starts with an original gravity of 1.064 and ends at 1.016, which creates the 6.5% alcohol content and keeps some sweetness for the body. The beer contains 25 IBUs (International Bitterness Units), enough to balance the malt without tasting hoppy. At 22 SRM (Standard Reference Method), the beer shows a deep amber-brown color with red tints when held to light.

The initial aroma brings forward fresh bread and toffee notes from the malt blend. These scents come from the extended boil process that develops the malt sugars fully. Behind these primary aromas, you'll notice subtle chocolate tones and roasted nuts, indicating the careful use of specialty malts in the grain bill.
The first sip introduces caramel and toasted malt flavors. These develop from the crystal malt additions and precise fermentation temperature control. As the beer moves across your palate, you will taste dark chocolate and coffee notes from the chocolate malt inclusion. The specialty roasted malts add a subtle smoke character that never turns harsh or overpowering.

Cold Smoke maintains its smoothness through careful carbonation levels. The mouthfeel stays creamy without becoming thick or syrupy. The finish brings mild hop bitterness that cuts through the malt sweetness, creating balance rather than lingering bitterness. Temperature affects these flavors noticeably - at cellar temperature (50-55°F), the malt complexity shows fully, while colder serving brings out a crisper finish.

Traditional scotch ales often rely heavily on peated malt for their signature flavors. Cold Smoke takes a different approach. It builds complexity through grain selection and precise brewing control instead of smoke-flavored malts. The beer's body sits between standard Scottish export ales and heavier wee heavies, creating its own space in the market.

Most scotch ales reach higher alcohol levels, often 8-10% ABV. Cold Smoke's 6.5% ABV keeps it more approachable while delivering enough strength to support its full flavor profile. The moderate alcohol content lets the malt character shine without boozy heat overshadowing the subtler flavors.

The hop profile also differs from many craft scotch ales. While some brewers add aggressive hop amounts to modernize the style, KettleHouse uses hops purely for balance. Multiple small additions during the boil provide just enough bitterness to prevent the malt sweetness from becoming cloying. This restraint keeps Cold Smoke true to the traditional scotch ale concept while making it more drinkable.

KettleHouse produces several year-round beers alongside Cold Smoke. Fresh Bongwater Hemp Pale Ale runs at 5.5% ABV, incorporating hemp seeds that add nutty undertones to its citrus-forward hop profile. Double Haul IPA delivers classic Northwest hop character at 6.5% ABV, using four different hop varieties in its dry-hop process. Eddy Out Pale Ale offers a lighter option at 5.0% ABV, balancing its malt backbone with subtle citrus hop notes.

The brewery regularly experiments with Cold Smoke variations. Their Cherry Cold Smoke ages on Montana-grown cherries, adding fruit complexity to the base beer. Vanilla Cold Smoke incorporates Madagascar vanilla beans, bringing warm vanilla notes that complement the caramel malt flavors. The most limited release, Barrel-Aged Cold Smoke, spends time in whiskey barrels, picking up oak and spirit character that adds depth to the original recipe.

Cold Smoke's blend of smooth maltiness, balanced strength, and clean finish explains why it's stayed at the top of Montana's craft beer scene for over 20 years. Jackson Hole Marketplace stocks fresh Cold Smoke alongside other KettleHouse offerings and regional craft beers.

Our team at 4125 U.S. 89 helps you pick the right beer for any occasion, from casual gatherings to special events. Call us at (307) 200-6453 or email info@jhmarketplace.com to check current availability and pricing. We keep Cold Smoke at optimal storage temperatures to ensure you get the best possible taste from this award-winning scotch ale.