AleSmith Wee Heavy Scotch Ale

Kristyn: Hmm… no, I’m pretty sure I haven’t had the Ale Smith Wee Heavy yet.
Eric: … ~faceplant~

Solid black, though not quite as thick and viscous as some, a gentle head of khaki fluff floats in suspended pockmarks above the black depths below. Lace sticks like algae to the sides of my glass, even as some tempting swirls release esters of spice and wood, dark pitted fruits, more spice, and ending with rum-soaked black earth. With the first sup, the top of my tongue tingles under a bright assault of flavors which I was not expecting. She immediately leaves a dry rub of spice and wood which continues to absorb the moisture in my mouth from start to finish. Her alcohol warmth soaks my breath even as wood tannins, vanilla root, and dried black cherries melt together in the cauldron of her palate. Make no doubt though, her palate is dry, spiced, and woody with a sprinkling of dry chocolates dominating. Her sweeter, softer side smoothes the rough edges with brown sugars and warm maple, all to brings my Alesmith Wee Heavy journey to a seductively drinkable conclusion.

An intriguing and very tasty balance between dry, sweet, warm, and spiced with the rich creamy malty center that characterizes the Scottish Wee Heavy. I haven’t ventured into too many Wee Heavies yet, but for the time-being, the Alesmith Wee Heavy is high on the list of exquisite delicacies.

Big thanks to Hopscotch for this....!!! Makes a perfect #600 for me... 750ml bottle poured into a big delirium snifter with plenty of room for the massive off tan 3 finger pillow head.... an absolute beauty.... dark and luscious. Aromas of dark fruit, sweet malt, and brown sugar... this is the one area that the beer could have delivered more for me - it just was not as powerful as I would have liked... I felt I needed to really seek out these aromas - but once I found them.... very nice. Big full body over the palate with a biting hop presence up front with extremely smooth sides... notes of raisin, plum, big juicy apple, brown sugar, sweet malts, and some lingering banana.... the finish is outstanding! A big burst of sharp bitterness up front with more spice on the sides and a splash of licorice throughout... a touch of alcohol lingers but doesn’t dominate the finish... Wee Heavy is a true beauty.... very excellent indeed.

Bottle @ Ölbutikken. Deep brown color with tan head. Malt fruity sweet hoppy aroma. Taste caramell malt hops raisins cockies well balanced.

Bouteille de 750 ml partagée lors d’une dégustation Ratebeer Montréal chez Glouglouburp. Arôme: Odeur de petits fruits avec une pointe de chocolat et de céréales grillées. Apparence: La couleur es brune opaque. Présence d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût petits fruits et de chocolat avec une pointe d’alcool. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement vineuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Arrière goût légèrement fruité. (Rating #2505)

Bottle thanks to SoLan/ Beerlando/ goryshkewych for this one. Pour is deep rich brown with large an head. Aroma is brown sugar, caramel malt, faint spiciness, dried fruit, and molasses. Flavor is dried fruit, sweetness, and malt up-front. Finish is faint alcohol, more sweetness, and mild dried fruit. This is a rich wonderful interpretation of this style. It’s full bodied and full-flavored; very nice.

750ml split with PWN3D: Great looking pour, dark cola/ coffee in color leaving a full finger of thick dry head. Nose is very complex with dark fruits, cooked sugars/ malts. First sip reveals strong booze. After more tasting the mouth relaxes and reveals its complexity, again with the dark fruits, nice bitterness in the hops. As it got warmer more earthiness is drawn out, the woods/ pines come through. The lacing in the glass was surprising, a dark dry film had to be scratched off the glass. Not the deity I was expecting, but a great complex and balanced beer no doubt.

Thanks to Jaaaaarspaaaaaggggg in sunny cali for this baby. Bottle less than a year old. Have another that I will age for at least one more year before retrying. Pours a dark nut brown with thin tan head that dissipates quickly to an ever so small ring around the glass, no lacing. Aroma of toasted to slightly roasted malts, alcohol, whiskey, raisins, and chocolate. Flavor matches well, alcohol dominates and a bit more bitterness than expected. Mouthfeel is thin, slick, and surprisingly lively in carbonation. Finishes dry, bitter, lots of chocolate, and a bit metallic. Overall very nice, but might do better with some age.

750ml bottle–pours a retaining light brown head and deep red/copper color. Aroma is medium/dark malt-chocolate/molasses, dark fruit-cherry/raisin, earthy. ASA meets Scotch ale. Taste is initially alcohol, bitter then dark malt-chocolate/molasses/bready, dark fruit-cherry/raisin, earthy. Hops as it moves to cellar temp, taste improves…nope. Thanks to Joe-jwc215 for sharing.