Sam Adams Wee Heavy

This scotch ale beer was first released earlier this year as part of their Imperial Series. Sam Adams Wee Heavy is not a beer to be taken lightly. Packing 10% Alcohol by Volume (ABV)and 348 calories in a 12oz bottle.

"To achieve the dark and slightly sweet flavor for this brew, we use a variety of malts including a peat smoked malt only found in Scotland that is the signature ingredient of their scotch whiskies. Although this malt may not be used in classic Scottish ales, it imparts the aroma and flavor of the region that we wanted to bring to this brew. To achieve that flavor, the malt is smoked over peat giving it an earthy and smoky character that adds a layer of complexity to the beer."

- Sam Adams Website

It pours out as a rich mahogany color with a dark tan head. Carbonation is good and leaves a nice lacey ring on the glass. The smell is slightly smokey with a hint of sweet caramel. The taste is almost warm and inviting with a roasted sweet malt flavor that is perfect for colder weather (tastes great in 90 degree weather). It's earthy and has well balanced caramel flavor. The mouthfeel is perfectly smooth for those higher alcohol brews. It finishes a little bit dry, but at that point you are going back for more.

Overall a very solid and complex scotch ale that I would highly recommend. Even though it is available year round (four 12oz bottles for around $10), I would rather drink this in colder weather/temperatures. Also, because it does go down so smooth and has 10% ABV, I would limit yourself to just a few. Cheers!