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AleSmith Wee Heavy Scotch Ale

Score
100100
OVERALLStyle
Serve in Thistle

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution

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RATINGS: 959   WEIGHTED AVG: 4.07   EST. CALORIES: 300   ABV: 10%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Bottle conditioned
J.P. Gray's Wee Heavy Scotch Ale Scotland's bone-chilling winters command a strong, richly-flavored brew. J.P. Gray's Wee Heavy is such an ale. Named for Brewmaster Skip Virgilio's maternal grandfather, J.P. Gray's is a blend of the prized Maris Otter barley and dark roasted barley which imparts a slightly smoky flavor and a deep chestnut appearance. In the style of a classic Scottish wee heavy, this fine ale is remarkably smooth and malty with background flavors of chocolate and molasses. Warmth is provided by a substantial 9% alcohol by volume. The high alcohol and fresh ingredients allow this ale to age well over time. Appearance: Deep mahogany color, sparkling clarity, and excellent head formation and retention when properly served. Flavor: Deep caramelly malty flavor with just a hint of smoke in the finish. Aroma: The aroma is sweet and voluptuous, reflecting the flavor with malt, hop and yeast characteristics. Mouthfeel (body/texture): Lush, full, rounded, almost chewy. This is a BIG beer!


4.5
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 18/20
mcmisko (113) - - FEB 4, 2012
Appears very dark brown, and I can see some cloudiness near the bottom of the glass. Head is tan and is not too big. Aroma is very lifted, smells like chocolate liqueur, wood and molasses. This taste BIG! Brown sugar, toasted brioche, smoked wood and dark chocolate with black cherry flavors come through to me. The finish is very warm, woody, smokey, and a touch of sweetness. Beautiful warm after taste that lingers on and on, but invites you back for more. This is great!

4.1
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
QuezXLV (266) - New Jersey, USA - FEB 3, 2012
There is a dark maroon color and a thin tan bubbly head. The aroma is extremely intense of oak, vanilla. Medium weight on a the palate and creamy.

4.1
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
TheHopster (356) - Netcong, New Jersey, USA - FEB 2, 2012
(bottle). Pours espresso brown with tan head and minimal lacing. The aroma is intense with sweet dried fruits and rum. The flavor is very rich with sweet malts, alcohol and dried fruit. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

4.2
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 17/20
Keg_Juggler (150) - New Jersey, USA - FEB 1, 2012
Dark Chestnut ruby red color with foamy head that withdraws to a ring on my pint glass; aroma not too striking but the palate and taste is quite impressive, malt bomb with hops in background but noticeable; complex beer with notes of molasses, fig, rye bread, dark chocolate and cherry to name a few; very solid double Scottish ale ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
AirForceHops (982) - Epping, New Hampshire, USA - JAN 28, 2012
Holy hell!! I can see how this brew sets a standard. This is my 1st from this brewery and I now see why it’s rated so high. Deep mahogany pour with a thick tan head. Big aromas. Sweet malt, peaty smoke, vanilla and molasses. Complex flavors. Raisins, caramel, chocolate, toffee. When it warms it changes nicely. Complex. Smoky peat, vanilla, oak chips and figs. I also pick up a tad of bitterness, don’t know where with all the flavors, toward the finish…... Mouthfeel is chewy, full body. I pickup the ABV but it’s a young bottle. This stuff is wonderful with every sip. Savor slowly. I may not bother ever trying another scotch ale again, don’t think anything could top this! $10.99 for a 750 ml bottle @ Julio’s.

4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
oRos (94) - sacramento, California, USA - JAN 28, 2012
Bottle shared with beerboxer. Dark brown red in the light.. taste like a toasted malt oak. Best scotch ale ive had.

4.6
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 10/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 18/20
bigabe (166) - California, USA - JAN 26, 2012
Dear sweet jesus this is good. Makes Kilt Lifter seem like Corona Light. Huge bodied caramel malt bomb with a healthy bitterness on the finish. The aroma is the only thing I found lacking... although it adds to the surprise of the hugeness of this beer. Best Scotch Ale I have had to date.

3.9
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
maledictum (495) - Granada, SPAIN - JAN 22, 2012
Pours a medium to deep brown brew, a small medium tan head that leaves a ring and a bit of spotty lacing. Killer aroma! Big caramel, sweet!, molasses, nuts, plum, toffee, almond, white chocolate, red licorice and roasted malts. Smelling this made me drool many times. Lots of roast in the taste, fruit cake, toffee, light spice, chocolate, pepper, plum and lots of things. Smooth with no real notice of the 10%. A treat of a beer.


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Rating Notecard:
Beer: AleSmith Wee Heavy Scotch Ale Rating Avg: 4.07 No. of Ratings: 959
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