AleSmith Wee Heavy Scotch Ale

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Scotch Ale
San Diego, California USA

Serve in Thistle

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Along with the Poseidon, I would also like to rate this one on a fresh palate. Wee Heavy finished the night at Fort Wayne, topping off 12 hours of sampling at thedm's place! Red-brown appearance, with a thin, light, tan head. Slightly cloudy. Aroma was earthy and woody. Flavor was earthy malts, and I was surprised not to detect much "twigs 'n berries" subtlety in the finish. A nice, smooth drink, but not among my favorite Scottish Ales at this point in time. A retasting may be in store, just in case my palate was on the wane. Matt (thedm), Mike (bigbadbear63), Jim (flemdawg) and I were plenty sleepy after this brute!

Ruby brown with a nice creamy tan head. Nutty, currant, cherry aroma. Flavors are like the aroma, cherry-currant with prominent bitterness. Full bodied with noticeable alcohol.

Absolutely fabulous. Malty with deep smoky flavors. Caramel, toffee, subtle chocolate notes. Surprisingly balanced. A must try.

2001 bottle. Poured with a medium off white head initially which diminished quickly to a very thin lasting head. Color is dark caramel brown. Aroma is very malty. Taste is malty as well with a slight smokiness and flavor of raisins and dates. Mildly alcoholic finish. Thanks to TAR. An excellent brew.

Set the stage, roadtripping to Montreal over the memorial day weekend, one last roadtrip with a high school buddy before the imminent (scheduled for august 20, 2003) arrival of our firstborn child. What could be more american that travelling to Canada over memorial day weekend. We'd been on the road 6-7 hours, and stopped by the Psychprof's place to drop off a package of goodies with him and to share a beer or two. Out we go while his children play with their newly obtained yo-yo balls (which are incredibly cool) and we sit down to drink. (stage set) 2001 vintage. Dark translucent amber color, sweet, ripe fruit aroma. The beer envelops my tongue with luscious dark fruit with a tickle of sublime carbonation. Hops are way off in the distance, there just enough to keep the sweet malt flavor at bay. Some butterscotch, sweet caramelly malt flavor. Who new how good a strong scottish ale could be. Historically this has been a style I've never really rated highly, but this beer has changed my mind. Absolutely phenomenal. Thanks a ton Psychprof!

UPDATED: APR 27, 2004 I wated a while to buy this because of the price, but I have no trouble buying expensive Belgian beer. I sure am glad I broke down and bought it. Belgian like complexity and in ways flavor. Aroma is almost Kasteel like, just not as sweet smelling. Initial taste is suprising. I was expecting something a little sweeter. Raison, chocolate, mollases come to mind. Very complex. Alittle alcahol in the finish. Very nice and well balanced. Slightly hoppy finish. 2001 bottle. I'm drinking this way too fast. It's so enjoyable. This is truly world class. Rerate 032504: Smokey Oktoberfest like aroma. Dark amber brown. Flavor is wood, smoke, peet, and mollases. Excellent.

UPDATED: FEB 5, 2013 Glutinous berries, sojourning amid nutritious date and deep caramel, adrift on maple... Hints of molasses and vanilla dilate the pupils... This classy and complex Wee Heavy is quite the thoughtsmith also...

UPDATED: AUG 2, 2006 Re-rate 3/29/04 2001 bottle: Aged magnificently. Plenty of sweet complex caramel malt flavor and great balance of peat and hops, with a touch of chocolate toward the finish. Semi-dry, mildly oxidized conclusion to a taste bud jubilee. This is a wonderfully brewed Scottish ale!

5/4/2003: 2001 version, Pours a dark murky brown with a full creamy laced head. Thick, complex, caramel and peat malty aroma with good hop balance and some dark fruits. Smooth, sweet full-bodied ale finishes crisp, dry, and almost chocolatey. Alcohol is evident but pretty well hidden. A wonderful Scotch ale.

Brown sugar sweet aroma with a white head. A dry, grassy bitterness with alcohol ingering. Dates, raisins, caramel, fruits and a beautiful smooth and complex malt backbone. The roasted and smokey flavors well balanced, not too sharp nor buried by other characteristics. Very smooth, silky mouthfeel. Great balance.

2001- semi-cloudy red-purple with lots of debris; thin but persistent head; aroma of lots of prune and other dark fruits. HOLY MOLY!! Tons of depth to get my puny little head around. Lots of dark fruit. Alcohol riding shotgun wonderfully. Good dryness. A most excellent beer.