AleSmith Wee Heavy Scotch Ale

The quintessential scotch ale, wee heavy has a bracing fresh nose of baked bread, some yeast, and caramel sticky sweetness. Palate is amazingly smooth with soft carbonation. Flavor begins the same as the nose, but takes a turn for the richer, darker side with a plum and raisin character that is rounded out by a friendly smokiness. Chewy and intoxicating, this is an achievement in a brew.

From 750mL Bottle. Pours a wonderfully rich, maroon tinged, blackberry color with a medium sized, long lasting beige head. Satisfying aromas of smoked malt gratify my awaiting nostrils, highlighted by luscious dark fruits - raisins, prunes, and lightly spiced fig. I’m getting some earthy tones of moss covered oak as well, coupled with some dried cherries and sweet, sticky sherry. Full bodied, sticky mouthfeel. Nice lacing on the sides of my glass. The dark fruits come out immediately on the palate, along with some dark molasses. These mildly spicy fuirts then recede smoothly to a fantastic smoky malt finish. Delicious, smoky, well balanced treat.

Bottle courtesy of Black95tt: Poured a clear burgundy color ale with a small slightly off-white dirty head with average retention. Aroma of sweat malt with subtle hints at dry fruits. Aroma is mix between some roasted malt with some dry fruits sweetness. Body is a bit thin for my own liking and alcohol shows a little bit. I would have liked a bit more of a smoky/peat aroma to make this truly wonderful but this is a very good beer nonetheless.

Bottle, Very dark brown with lasting tan head. Light prunes and burned sugar in the nose. The flavor is intense and dominated by liquorice, prunes and lots of alcohol. Smooth lovely mouth feel and mellow carbonation. Long bitter aftertaste with hints of roast. Very good, but I could do with less apparent alcohol.

Bottle bought straight from the brewery, drank it later that night. Boy is the alcohol overwhelming with this one. Great medium brown pour with medium head. Aroma was complex with strong spices. Mouthfeel was near perfect. Flavor reminded me of a DB, very earthy but sprinkled with dark fruit. Alcohol is very noticeable on the back-end.

My Alesmith, My Alesmith, why hast thou forsaken me?!? I’m assuming I didn’t love this beer because of its age...it’s very HOT... It just seems to be lacking in the smoky malty areas that define a good scotch ale.

Tasted with OhioGuzzler... Dark brown, pretty clear. No head. Smells a lot like bourbon from a charred oak barrel. Sweet malt, subtle roastiness, and some alcohol bite. No smoke flavor or other complexities. This might be one that needs more time in the bottle. 750 mL bottle, $12.99 from the River’s Bend.

This is a very distinctive and complex beer. Pours a transparent dark chestnut color. The aroma makes you imagine you are in the Highlands of Scotland. The smokey, sweet flavor is something like Scotch whiskey and molassas. I only wish it was distributed further so I could get my hands on it more often.