Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) just released a new beer in their Imperial Series called “Wee Heavy”. It is a scotch ale, which is brewed with a big amount of roasted malts causing the beer to be sweeter, with touches of brown sugar and caramel flavor. Hops are minimal. Historically, the Scots had very few hops that would survive the Scottish winter. Also there are historical accounts of the English being stingy with their hops too. Sam Adams used peat smoked malt in the making of this beer, a signature ingredient in scotch whiskeys. The beer is then cold aged.
Commercial Description:
Samuel Adams Wee Heavy was inspired by both traditional Scotch ales and Scotch whiskies, for a combination of deep roasted flavor and earthy smoke character. Traditional Scottish ales vary in intensity with the strong ales known as Scotch Ale or “Wee Heavy”. To create our own version of the style we added peat smoked malt to bring the unique flavor of Scotland to this complex and satisfying brew.
Style: Scotch Ale/ Wee Heavy
Hops: Zeus
Malts: Two-row Harrington, Metcalfe, and Copeland pale malts, Caramel 60, Roasted malt, Peated malt
Taste Expectations:
Availability: 12oz/4 pks. 2011 debut, year round
10% ABV
