Saint Fillian's Wee Heavy
Selin's Grove Brewing Company

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From:
Selin's Grove Brewing Company
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
ABV:
12%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 8.85%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
21
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 06, 2016
Added:
Jan 18, 2009
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.83 by Rizzy17 from Pennsylvania

Feb 06, 2016
Photo of Lucular
Reviewed by Lucular from Maryland

4.24/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at the brewpub from the beer engine. Fairly sweet, almost barleywine-like, without being cloying. You can tell it's high alcohol but never would guess 12% - hides the abv well!
Nov 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.96 by BeerCon5 from Pennsylvania

Mar 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.67 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Jan 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by Agentveba from North Carolina

Nov 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by DWolf from Pennsylvania

Feb 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by bigfnjoe from Pennsylvania

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by hmich176 from Pennsylvania

Aug 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by iL0VEbeer from New Jersey

Aug 06, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by TimoP from Pennsylvania

Apr 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by duceswild from Heard & McDonald Islands

Apr 01, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by jwat from Pennsylvania

Dec 23, 2012
Photo of thain709
Reviewed by thain709 from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2011 version

A - Served with a dark copper body that showcased some ruby highlights...there wasn't much of a head, just a spotty cap and a thin ring...no lacing was left behind

S - The dark fruits (raisins, dates, figs) in the nose were juicy...lots of sweet caramel toffee...alcohol can be picked up

T - Brief hints of alcohol were found here and there...a lot of the flavor was based around sweet caramel and toffee...some brown sugar and vanilla notes were lingering around adding to the sweetness...the dark fruits weren't as juicy as the nose suggested but they played a big role...the figs and dates added some caramel flavors where the raisins added some depth to the beer...a sweet finish

M - Medium bodied...smooth and sweet

O - This was a big beer and it only showed an alcohol presence here and there...the sweetness level helped as it never became cloying
Jan 24, 2012
Photo of stakem
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Via the hand pump, served in a goblet. This brew appears a dark amber brown. Some ruby clarity is seen when held to the light. A frothy topping of tan head holds with a finger strength. Very impressive retention for a brew of this abv. Frothy lace sticks in patches along the glass and a light swirl revives the head.

The smell of this brew is dark and fruity with raisins and caramel to toffee-like malt. Sweet and sugary across the nose somewhat like brown sugar but with a little bit of a whiskey kick. There are some earthy elements about the nose couple with some roasty quality as it warms up. Overall, very appealing aroma.

The taste is roasty with burnt toffee and brown sugar. Notes of vanilla and caramel are present before some fruited quality like raisiny alcohol. Some herbal hood keep a contrasting bitterness present that keeps the residual sweetness in check. For such a big beer, this drinks very easy and has a well rounded arrangement of flavor.

This is a creamy smooth brew. Full bodied and just the perfect amount of light carbonation. Having it on cask is a perfect presentation. Very well tamed alcohol throughout and just a splendid take on the style. I could have easily taken down multiple glasses of this if I was at home and didn't have to worry about getting sloppy in public.
Dec 12, 2011
 
Rated: 5 by mgbickel from Pennsylvania

Dec 02, 2011
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Reviewed by orangesol from Pennsylvania

4.09/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on cask at the Selin's Grove 14th anniversary party. It was the '09 and it was served into a goblet.

A - Pours deep dark brown with a strong one finger white head, dissipating to a light film, leaving minimal lacing down the glass.

S - Lots of toffee and caramel sweetness up front. Some dark fruits, most noticeably raisins and figs, begin to come out as it warms up a bit. It looks like the extra cellar time has killed most of the boozy aroma's giving this one a sweet roasty nose.

T - Plenty of sweet toffee and caramel up front giving way quickly to a mixture of dark fruits, raisins and figs, and bit of earthy hops. Finish has some strong sweetness that lingers for some time after consumption. Booze is ever present offering a light warming feeling but it is hidden well. Very sweet but not to the point of being overpowering. Very nice wee heavy.

M - Heavy body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Quite the creamy feel with a lingering sweet finish. Not too much heat from the booze in this one.

D - Good not great. I really liked this one but I liked the barrel aged version better. I am not sure I could have more than one of these at a time. Definitely a sipper at 12% ABV.
Dec 31, 2010
Photo of koopa
Reviewed by koopa from New Jersey

4.37/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
2010 release

Had this gem on cask at the brewpub yesterday. The menu said it is aged in Bourbon Barrels for 6 months.

Appearance: Pours a slightly translucent red to brown with honey folds. The crown is small, white, shows minimal retention and minimal lace.

Smell: Deep scottish malt, hints of red fruits, toffee, earthy hops, and a hint of bourbon.

Taste: Same as nose with the slightest alcohol tinge. Delicious.

Mouthfeel: Thin side of thick bodied with pretty soft moderate carbonation. The cask conditioning is nice.

Drinkability: This is a sipper for sure but delicious and inviting none the less.
Jul 17, 2010
Photo of blackie
Reviewed by blackie from Oregon

4.6/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
2009 release

a: snifter serving, healthy pour with a creamy head filling the space between the dark chestnut colored ale, nice retention

s: malty dark fruits - date, fig, raisin, with a firm peaty supporting note, rich tobacco, English style hops and moderate levels of booze, complex

m: full body with creamy carbonation

t: dark tree fruits - date and raisin puree, tobacco, plum skins with a lightly astringent touch, woody peat, crusty fruit pies, starts malty with drier complexities coming out mid-finish, ends with a clean hop bitterness, booze perceptible but appropriate, incredible set of flavors here - all with a well rounded and almost understated delivery

d: a wee-heavy that others should aspire to be, wonderfully sip-able at 12 percent

quick lunch stop at the brewpub on my way home from DuBois
Mar 10, 2010
Photo of ffejherb
Reviewed by ffejherb from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
New 2008 release on cask at SGB on 12/6/08. I had this along side with the vintage 2007 version, also on cask.

A - Darker chocolately brown, almost cola-colored, body with one-finger frothy, bubbly beige head that retained quite well.

S - Earthy and herbal bitter hops with some resin and plenty of caramel malt sweetness. Alcohol is a little more apparent in the new release over the vintage. There is also a prominent dark fruit presence with hints of raisins and figs.

T - Much more tangy and boozy than the 2007 version. Initial flavor is earthy, herbal hop bitterness paired with molasses notes. this segues into plenty of dark fruit tang in the middle, with hints of dried fruits, raisins, prunes, etc. There's plenty of malt backbone reminiscent of burnt caramel as well. The flavor profile is rounded out with an earthy hop bitterness and alcohol sting in the finish.

M - Smooth, soft texture with a warm, tingly mouthfeel. Pretty aggressive bitterness on the palate with a sweet, burnt caramel malt character in the finish.

D - I think the 2007 is a bit more drinkable that this new version. I'm sure this will mellow out over the course of the next year, and I will say the same thing about the 2009 release!
May 01, 2009
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
The latest version of the venerable St. Fillian's. This one has been listed as "different" and that very well may be as this years version clocks in at an impressive 12% ABV, certainly the highest in my memory.

A-Slightly hazed, Deep, dark brownish copper with garnet toned highlights. A thick and creamy offwhite head caps this beauty off. Head holds on fairly well before falling into a thin cap leaving spotty lace behind.

S-Powerful and comlex malt tones of rich caramel, earthy notes, a bit of vanilla, touch of smoke and spicy hops. A pleasant burst of alcohol heat burns the nares.

T-Massive malt profile with the sweetness being rather. A bit of vanilla accents a rich, deep, malt base of earth, peat and a touch of dry oak. Being young this one carries a hot punch but it does not overwhelm. Still feels a bit raw and I am thinking this one is going to be a masterpiece come next year.

M-Medium to medium-heavy bodied with a luscious smoothness. Ends a bit hot and astringent.

D-A most relaxing and enjoyable winter warmer. The near perfect beer to chase away the cold bite of Old Man Winter. Malty richness kissed with just enough sweetness and spiciness and an alcohol warmth to bring it all home. With a year of aging under it's belt this may become the best St. Fillian's of all time....Black Friday 2009 will tell the tale!
Feb 17, 2009
Saint Fillian's Wee Heavy from Selin's Grove Brewing Company
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 21 ratings