French Broad Wee Heavy Scotch Style Ale

Brewed by French Broad Brewing Co.
Style: Scotch Ale
Asheville, North Carolina USA

Got in a bottle courtesy of a friend. Poured like a scotch ale and looked like a cross between a wolf and a malamute.

SMA - hopfest. Small white head, very malty aroma. Malty flavor that is well balanced. Rye, wheat oat flavors. Smooth finish. Don't think it is as strong as it should be, but it is a very excellent beer nonetheless.

Deep mahagony. Thin but sturdy kahki head. Great smoky, toasty aroma. Burnt rye bread flavor, then some caramel and toffee. Very nice, perhaps a bit more carbonation than I would have expected.

Really nice malt. Rich toasted nuts. There is limited hopping, but well balanced. Really nice beer.

Tap. Toasted caramel malt and brown sugar aromas. Pours reddish brown with a creamy white head and excellent creamy lacing. Creamy brown sugar and malt roasted flavors. Medium bodied and creamy palate.

Not a bad scotch ale. pours a really dark amber colors with a nice malty aroma. has some caramel and toffee flavor. pretty damn good scotch ale.

On tap at the James Joyce, Durham. I’ve long enjoyed this offering from French Broad, a milder Scotch ale that doesn’t skimp on character or complexity. A nice hefty copper/brown pour with a moderate head and thick, smooth mouthfeel. The aroma on this one is more straightforwardly malty than its pumped up siblings, but it still has soft fruity notes along with some hints of winter spice - the latter come on more prominently as the beer warms. Full flavored, nice sipper.

My first French Broad brew. Had it on draught at Barley’s Taproom in Asheville. The commercial description says "malty, toasty, strong and sweet," but to me, the flavor of the brew was dominated by bitter hops. This is not necessarily a bad thing... but it also doesn’t necessarily make a scotch ale either. I’m finding that NC’s ABV% is beginning to limit the bredth of my beer tasting range. Hopefully the pop the cap legislation will pass the state senate.