Scottish Wee Heavy

Introduction – by Firkin Ron

The term beer style refers to a broad set of descriptors used to differentiate and categorize types of beers. Descriptors such as color, flavor, strength, ingredients, production method, recipe, history, and origin create the framework for establishing a beer style.

And almost any time you buy a beer, the beer lists its style on the packaging. Why? To provide the buyer with a basic preview and understanding of the beer’s look, smell, taste and drinkability.

Today there are hundreds of documented beer styles. Furthermore, a handful of organizations created their own unique classifications. However, the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) provides one of the most commonly used set of style guidelines.

This week’s beer style overview features the Scottish Wee Heavy. Two of my local favorites: Pizza Port Brewing Company’s Way Heavy and Ale Smith’s Barrel Aged Wee Heavy.

 Scottish Wee Heavy – by Owen Ogletree

Like a Scottish version of a Barleywine, Wee Heavy is a complex, smooth, boozy malt beast with flavor notes of caramel, toffee and spicy alcohol hints. Great examples make good dessert beers and offer a pleasant sweetness, without being syrupy. Hop character is quite low on the palate, and some examples have notes of roasted nuts, dark malt and moderate esters reminiscent of raisins, dates, ripe plums and dark figs. A few American versions include malt with peat smoke, but BJCP guidelines say that smoke is inappropriate in the classic style. I so want this rich, full-bodied ale to become popular again! Wee Heavy goes well with sticky toffee pudding, cobbler, crème brûlée and even barbecue with sweet molasses sauce. ABV: 6.5 – 10.0%.

In Georgia, Wee Heavy examples have been produced by Eventide Brewing, Wrecking Bar Brewpub, Monday Night Brewing, Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery and Atlanta Brewing Co.

 

About Owen Ogletree

Owen is founder/editor of Brewtopia LLC. In addition, he is columnist for Southern Brew News and Beer Connoisseur Magazine, lecturer at Knoxville’s Brewing & Distilling Center, founder/director of the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting and Classic City Brew Fest, and a BJCP National Beer Judge. Owen has also served as a beer judge at the Great American Beer Festival and the Great British Beer Festival.