-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Wee Heavy Scotch Ale
The Vermont Pub & Brewery
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- The Vermont Pub & Brewery
- Vermont, United States
- Style:
- Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
- ABV:
- 7.98%
- Score:
- 87
- Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 11.79%
- Reviews:
- 12
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Sep 08, 2016
- Added:
- May 13, 2002
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.91/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The Vermont Pub & Brewery "Wee Heavy"
on tap at the brewery, 6 June 2016
$6 / 12 oz.
Notes: Listed at 8.5% ABV, 38 IBUs. Slightly hazy dark copper body beneath an off white head. Very good head retention and excellent lacing. Aroma of dark caramel with a hint of smoke or roastiness. The flavor displays the same caramel, some alcohol, probably too much bitterness for the style, and leafy and floral hops. Not bad, not great. Fermentation could have been smoother, and it's a little off for the style, but it's tasty.
Sep 08, 2016on tap at the brewery, 6 June 2016
$6 / 12 oz.
Notes: Listed at 8.5% ABV, 38 IBUs. Slightly hazy dark copper body beneath an off white head. Very good head retention and excellent lacing. Aroma of dark caramel with a hint of smoke or roastiness. The flavor displays the same caramel, some alcohol, probably too much bitterness for the style, and leafy and floral hops. Not bad, not great. Fermentation could have been smoother, and it's a little off for the style, but it's tasty.
Rated by Marbleisland
4.64/5 rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.64/5 rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Awesome beer, mouthfeel is exceptional. Malty yet well balanced. One if the Top 5 beers in my book.
Mar 22, 2015Reviewed by Rifugium from North Dakota
3.38/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
First had: on tap at their brewpub
Not a bad Scotch ale. Dark brown with ruby tints, and a small layer of white bubbles for a head. Aroma of roasty malts, caramel, a bit of peat and smoke. Similar taste, pretty standard for the style, with lots of malty caramel, raisins and prunes, slightly medicinal, with the alcohol making a tolerable appearance. Medium body, and somewhat drinkable if Scotch ales are your thing, but one serving of this was good enough for me.
Sep 01, 2011Not a bad Scotch ale. Dark brown with ruby tints, and a small layer of white bubbles for a head. Aroma of roasty malts, caramel, a bit of peat and smoke. Similar taste, pretty standard for the style, with lots of malty caramel, raisins and prunes, slightly medicinal, with the alcohol making a tolerable appearance. Medium body, and somewhat drinkable if Scotch ales are your thing, but one serving of this was good enough for me.
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania
3.41/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.41/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap @ the Vermont Pub & Brewery (Burlington, VT) on 2/19/11. Served in an 8 oz mug.
Pours a deep clear ruby, with a smooth ¼ finger head of off-white foam. This retains with a bit of a rich look on the edges, putting up some robust lacing that hangs in thick swathes down the sides of the mug. The aroma is a combo of light smoky roast and sweet caramel character. Leafy hops add a bit of a dank earthy tanginess to this. This is fairly decent flavor wise but I just wish that there was a bit more strength here.
The taste is actually quite hoppy, with an earthy green bitterness that runs over the profile a bit too much. There is still definitely a sweet caramel maltiness to the profile as well, which is then followed by a roasted backend that is giving off a smoky acrid flavor that lingers in the finish with some leftover dry earthy hop character. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a sharp crispness that blows up in the mouth and really pop those hop flavors. Alcohol is well hid but I could have used some more chewiness to the body to help accentuate the malts here a bit more.
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be an "Americanized" version of the style but this came off as way too hoppy for a Wee Heavy. I would have liked to have seen much more of that malt character pushed to the forefront here and that overly sharp feel didn't help matters either. This certainly wasn't a bad beer but just seemed off for the style.
Feb 25, 2011Pours a deep clear ruby, with a smooth ¼ finger head of off-white foam. This retains with a bit of a rich look on the edges, putting up some robust lacing that hangs in thick swathes down the sides of the mug. The aroma is a combo of light smoky roast and sweet caramel character. Leafy hops add a bit of a dank earthy tanginess to this. This is fairly decent flavor wise but I just wish that there was a bit more strength here.
The taste is actually quite hoppy, with an earthy green bitterness that runs over the profile a bit too much. There is still definitely a sweet caramel maltiness to the profile as well, which is then followed by a roasted backend that is giving off a smoky acrid flavor that lingers in the finish with some leftover dry earthy hop character. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a sharp crispness that blows up in the mouth and really pop those hop flavors. Alcohol is well hid but I could have used some more chewiness to the body to help accentuate the malts here a bit more.
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be an "Americanized" version of the style but this came off as way too hoppy for a Wee Heavy. I would have liked to have seen much more of that malt character pushed to the forefront here and that overly sharp feel didn't help matters either. This certainly wasn't a bad beer but just seemed off for the style.
Reviewed by thekevlarkid from Maryland
3.85/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.85/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Tried this decorated brew on tap on site at the brewery. The brew was delivered to my table a dark mahogany color with a thin tan head. Laced well for as little head as there was. The aroma was understated, caramel malt and some peat. The flavors were considerably bolder than the aroma, roasted malt and caramel malt, ripe fruit notable tart apples and peat smoke. The mouthfeel was very smooth, the body medium and the carbonation on par. A very good Scotch and well worth trying.
Sep 30, 2008Reviewed by Bierman9 from New Hampshire
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My chili and Dunkelweizen having been finished, I opted to join Alewife in her drink of choice for our visit to the VPB - their Wee Heavy.
Unsure of the ABV for this (they list it as "strong" on their bier menu). It is hence served in a small, 8oz mug. This Wee is a clear, deep mahogany, with a thin, wispy tan head. Lacing is ok, marking up the sides with some spent bubbles. This one is not "wee" in body, checking in at a healthy medium. It is easy-going on the tongue, too, with minimal carbo prickliness.
Flavor is a hit, with malty sweetness caressing the palate. Caramel and some toffee ( and a touch o' peat?) meld together for a solid malt base, sweet but never cloying. A smooth quaffer, there's a hint of floral hopping near the finish, just to keep things honest, ya know... Alewife and I both enjoyed this one quite a bit, with it being Alewife's fave for the weekend...
Prosit!!
4.00
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4
1056
Apr 21, 2008Unsure of the ABV for this (they list it as "strong" on their bier menu). It is hence served in a small, 8oz mug. This Wee is a clear, deep mahogany, with a thin, wispy tan head. Lacing is ok, marking up the sides with some spent bubbles. This one is not "wee" in body, checking in at a healthy medium. It is easy-going on the tongue, too, with minimal carbo prickliness.
Flavor is a hit, with malty sweetness caressing the palate. Caramel and some toffee ( and a touch o' peat?) meld together for a solid malt base, sweet but never cloying. A smooth quaffer, there's a hint of floral hopping near the finish, just to keep things honest, ya know... Alewife and I both enjoyed this one quite a bit, with it being Alewife's fave for the weekend...
Prosit!!
4.00
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4
1056
Reviewed by Bobzilla from New York
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On tap March 15, 2008
Finally back on tap at the pub. (We always seem to miss it when its there.) Served in 8oz. glasses , limit of 3.
A nice dark color, with hints of red through the lamps. Not alot of head on the beer, and it seems a bit thin in the glass. Smell is minimal, but it does have hints of a roasty, toffee, coffee, chocolate smells.
Thin mouthfeel, but warming and quite flavorful. Some slippery feel in the mouth form the alcohol, but not distracting.
Nice brown sugar, toffee, chocolate taste, but has some fruity Dubbel-like qualities. Maybe fermented at a higher temperature than normal?
Although it seems to be a bit more Belgian than Scottish in some ways, it is still a very nice beer. I wouldn't really suggest having alot of them and then follow up with other selections however...
Mar 20, 2008Finally back on tap at the pub. (We always seem to miss it when its there.) Served in 8oz. glasses , limit of 3.
A nice dark color, with hints of red through the lamps. Not alot of head on the beer, and it seems a bit thin in the glass. Smell is minimal, but it does have hints of a roasty, toffee, coffee, chocolate smells.
Thin mouthfeel, but warming and quite flavorful. Some slippery feel in the mouth form the alcohol, but not distracting.
Nice brown sugar, toffee, chocolate taste, but has some fruity Dubbel-like qualities. Maybe fermented at a higher temperature than normal?
Although it seems to be a bit more Belgian than Scottish in some ways, it is still a very nice beer. I wouldn't really suggest having alot of them and then follow up with other selections however...
Reviewed by Brad007 from Vermont
4.2/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.2/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Served in a 8oz glass.
Color: Pours a medium brown color with a one-finger head.
Aroma: Fruity, malty with peat. Strong.
Taste: Strong and malty, fruity and lightly smoked. Smooth. Dry. Warming to the mouth. A masterpiece of a beer.
Mouthfeel: Dry/fruity. Malty.
Verdict: Words are hard to describe this beer with as the serving size is limited. Still, I believe it's a wonderful example of a wee heavy.
Mar 05, 2008Color: Pours a medium brown color with a one-finger head.
Aroma: Fruity, malty with peat. Strong.
Taste: Strong and malty, fruity and lightly smoked. Smooth. Dry. Warming to the mouth. A masterpiece of a beer.
Mouthfeel: Dry/fruity. Malty.
Verdict: Words are hard to describe this beer with as the serving size is limited. Still, I believe it's a wonderful example of a wee heavy.
Reviewed by Dewey0603 from Connecticut
3.41/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.41/5 rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This pours a dark rich mahogny with a decent sized tan head. The smell is alittle on the light side with some malt sweetness. The taste is sweet malt with a tart aftertaste thats almost apple like. The m/f is heavy with a balance between malt sweetness and tartness that doesn't mix perfectly. This is an OK beer,but for the style it is different than any wee heavy I've ever had.
Apr 29, 2006Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)
3.25/5 rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.25/5 rDev -16.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Good head on it and amber colour. Mucho malty. Too much carbonation but otherwise quaffable. Some taste, but Not much in taste, carmel really. 8% alcohol hits you, so save for last as I did. It's an alcohol aftertaste, like fuel. Not good representative of the style.
Nov 11, 2005Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appears a dark brown with a small offwhite head.
Smell is of rich caramel, and bits of roasty malt and cocoa present.
Taste is of the same good aromas in a smooth batch that mixes well.
Mouthfeel is creamy, medium bodied, and smooth. No overkill of flavors, or high alcohol present.
Drinkability is good. I enjoyed having a few of these, even in the hot bar area of the pub.
Jul 19, 2005Smell is of rich caramel, and bits of roasty malt and cocoa present.
Taste is of the same good aromas in a smooth batch that mixes well.
Mouthfeel is creamy, medium bodied, and smooth. No overkill of flavors, or high alcohol present.
Drinkability is good. I enjoyed having a few of these, even in the hot bar area of the pub.
Reviewed by scottum from Vermont
4.56/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.56/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Served a very dark brown with a thin head. Strong, yet smooth. The mouthfeel is exceptional. Flavors are bold, yet peacefully balanced. Certainly worth the $5/glass price, though I'm glad to have been bought a few. I hope they have a few more kegs of this in the cellar, and I hope I'm around when when they are tapped.
Nov 17, 2003Reviewed by Andy from Massachusetts
5/5 rDev +28.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +28.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
After years of looking, I finally found it. The perfect beer. One I would drink on any occasion and would consider consuming at even the most inappropriate times. Likely the only 5 I will ever give. Brewed Feb 1, 1999 and consumed in summer 2001, this cellared strong ale has an aroma that I could smell before my sample arrived at the table. Smell is part alcohol, part sweet enticing malt. First thing you notice is the syrupy, tongue engulfing mouthfeel. It glides over and literally coats your entire mouth. A hearty meal in itself. Big alcohol flavor balances the sweet malt. And to creat perfection, the hop level at the finishes stops the brew from becoming cloying. Strange event: After I told the waitress that I was a beer writer and that this was the best beer I had ever sampled, she said: "That's weird. There's another beer writer over there and he just said the same thing." I've returned to this pub several times, but alas, I think this brew is gone.
May 13, 2002
Wee Heavy Scotch Ale from The Vermont Pub & Brewery
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
19 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!