Wee Heavy

Samuel Adam's

Wee Heavy Scotch Ale - 10.0% ABV

Rating: 2.5/3.0 out of 5.0

"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."

This was my first beer from the Sam Adam's Imperial series beers they have. Given my love of Sam Adams and their brews, and the notion that their Imperial Series are supposed to be a cut above the rest, I had high expectations for this brew. It unfortunately fell a "wee bit" short on them. It pours to a luscious rich dark brown color akin to a stout. It had a delicious aroma of sweet caramel malt and scotch smoke. I smelled it many times enjoying the aroma before trying it. Was like sniffing a smokey scotch or whiskey really. Once you sip this brew though your taste buds are immediately bitch slapped in the face with a big up front burnt malty smoke flavor. I mean the smokey flavor basically gives you a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick to the tastebuds. After the aroma I was expecting more complexity and subtly from this beer like a good scotch. At first I instead got a sucker punch of smokey burnt malt flavor, which is also more prominent due to the low amount of carbonation in the brew. More carbonation would've cut it a bit at least. Definite eye opener. Once the big upfront taste mellowed out there was a more balanced flavor of sweet smokey caramel, peat, and dark fruit earthiness. Almost porterish. I found this brew to be a bit clumsy and lacking in balance though. I mean it starts off so damn strong and in your face and then tries to balance itself but doesn't really get there. Just seemed off balance. While the beer does finish much stronger than it starts that up front blast of the burnt malt is a wee bit heavy to get over fully. It just lingers there reminding you each time you take another sip you're gonna get bitch slapped again. This one just needed a bit more balance. A definite sipping beer and not one to marathon through. On a second tasting I raised the rating a bit more but it's still not up to my expectations from a Sam Adam's beer.