Chronology:6 - Wee Heavy
The Bruery
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- From:
- The Bruery
- California, United States
- Style:
- Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
- ABV:
- 13.7%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.09 | pDev: 7.82%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 04, 2020
- Added:
- Jan 04, 2016
- Wants:
- 7
- Gots:
- 32
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
We’re at it again with Old Father Time for a new Chronology Series - a Scotchology, if you will, with a base resembling a Scotch-style ale. In this installment, we brewed a wee heavy - known for rich, malt-forward flavors - and set it to age in bourbon barrels. Every six months, we’ll take a quarter of the barrels, blend them and bottle them. This first bottling represents the nuances imparted to the base beer after six months of barrel aging.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Grackos:
4.15/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Grackos from Florida
I don't get much barrel but it's still a solid Scotch ale.
Feb 25, 2018
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Grackos from Florida
I don't get much barrel but it's still a solid Scotch ale.
Feb 25, 2018
More User Ratings:
3.84/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by GarrettB from Colorado
May 21st, 2016 - Another festival sample today, and just a couple centimeters of this Chrinology sets off a huge aroma, filled with sweet vanilla and oak, with some sharp bourbon notes. The flavor is wonderful, smooth and creamy, with a booze hidden by a well structured body. The long aftertaste extends this tasty flavor note, and yet when it settles it feels lighter than expected. Good, bold and leaves an impression in today's crowded field.
Oct 04, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by GarrettB from Colorado
May 21st, 2016 - Another festival sample today, and just a couple centimeters of this Chrinology sets off a huge aroma, filled with sweet vanilla and oak, with some sharp bourbon notes. The flavor is wonderful, smooth and creamy, with a booze hidden by a well structured body. The long aftertaste extends this tasty flavor note, and yet when it settles it feels lighter than expected. Good, bold and leaves an impression in today's crowded field.
Oct 04, 2020
3.9/5 rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by rodbeermunch from Nevada
Review from April 11, 2017. Not a big wee heavy/scotch ale guy, but I also liked this one, so take from that what you will.
Pours a dark brown. 1/4" tan head on the top. Aroma has all the malty, earthy aspects of a scotch ale, but with slightly more bourbon influence than the base beer. Hints of vanilla on the bourbon and oak.
Good amount of brown malt taste, still behind the bourbon that brings lesser amounts of oak and vanilla still. Ain't no doubt this is a smooth mouth feel, similar carbonation to their anniversary series. Also similar way of making a beer taste less strong than it actually is. I thought six months did pretty well at hitting a good sweet spot (the beer is not sweet) for bourbon influence. Obligatory toffee and caramel reference here. They even managed to smooth out dark fruit and tobacco note without it being bitter or hot.
I'll still take Central Waters bourbon barrel scotch ale at a better format and way better price. But this beer was good and exceeded expectations.
Jul 07, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by rodbeermunch from Nevada
Review from April 11, 2017. Not a big wee heavy/scotch ale guy, but I also liked this one, so take from that what you will.
Pours a dark brown. 1/4" tan head on the top. Aroma has all the malty, earthy aspects of a scotch ale, but with slightly more bourbon influence than the base beer. Hints of vanilla on the bourbon and oak.
Good amount of brown malt taste, still behind the bourbon that brings lesser amounts of oak and vanilla still. Ain't no doubt this is a smooth mouth feel, similar carbonation to their anniversary series. Also similar way of making a beer taste less strong than it actually is. I thought six months did pretty well at hitting a good sweet spot (the beer is not sweet) for bourbon influence. Obligatory toffee and caramel reference here. They even managed to smooth out dark fruit and tobacco note without it being bitter or hot.
I'll still take Central Waters bourbon barrel scotch ale at a better format and way better price. But this beer was good and exceeded expectations.
Jul 07, 2020
3.73 by DVMin98 from North Carolina on Sep 27, 2019
4.53/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Split with rudzud
Big creamy tan head, good retention and lacing, darker hazy brown color
Nose sweet brown sugar, big caramel toffee candy like, sweet bourbon barrel, dark fruits candied fig, light vanilla
Taste big sweet candy malt, coffee, little butterscotch, caramel, toffee, mild sweet bourbon, vanilla barrel, mild dark fruits again candied fig date, nougat, light alcohol, drier finish
Mouth is fuller bod, rich creamy smooth caramel, medium carb, light alcohol
Overall very nice, super smooth drinkable, nice barrel, great base
Jul 27, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Split with rudzud
Big creamy tan head, good retention and lacing, darker hazy brown color
Nose sweet brown sugar, big caramel toffee candy like, sweet bourbon barrel, dark fruits candied fig, light vanilla
Taste big sweet candy malt, coffee, little butterscotch, caramel, toffee, mild sweet bourbon, vanilla barrel, mild dark fruits again candied fig date, nougat, light alcohol, drier finish
Mouth is fuller bod, rich creamy smooth caramel, medium carb, light alcohol
Overall very nice, super smooth drinkable, nice barrel, great base
Jul 27, 2019
4.53/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by rudzud from Massachusetts
Split with JLindros.
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a nice dark brown almost black hue with a thin mocha head and a foamy halo.
S - Big aromas of caramel, toffee, and dark fruits. Light vanilla.
T - Taste is similar to the nose with loads of caramel and toffee. Loads of creamy vanilla, candy caramel cream. Lovely malts.
M - Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, creamy, alcohol hidden incredibly well. Practically luscious.
O -Overall this was a very solid scotch ale. Excellent caramel and vanilla. Super easy to drink.
Serving Type: bottle
Jul 27, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by rudzud from Massachusetts
Split with JLindros.
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a nice dark brown almost black hue with a thin mocha head and a foamy halo.
S - Big aromas of caramel, toffee, and dark fruits. Light vanilla.
T - Taste is similar to the nose with loads of caramel and toffee. Loads of creamy vanilla, candy caramel cream. Lovely malts.
M - Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, creamy, alcohol hidden incredibly well. Practically luscious.
O -Overall this was a very solid scotch ale. Excellent caramel and vanilla. Super easy to drink.
Serving Type: bottle
Jul 27, 2019
4.25/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by SHODriver from North Carolina
A: Poured into a snifter to a deep ruddy brown topped by a fndinger of dense and rocky cream colored head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing.
S: Smells of huge caramel and toffee notes with some dark fruits. Nice barrel in there as well with some oak and vanilla. It smells like really good bread pudding.
T: Taste is caramel and toffee with some toasted malts, nice oak, a little dark fruit with a hint of raisins along with a slight touch of vanilla. On the swallow there's more oak, some more caramel and vanilla, along with a little more toffee and lingering dark fruits.
M: This beer is fairly full in body with a slightly creamy texture. Carbonation is effervescent and a little heavier than necessary but it isn't distracting. The beer has a drying finish due to the ABV.
O: Overall this is a really nice beer. It has some great flavors and complexity which make it an interesting drink. Similar to the Old Ale this one doesn't have a whole lot of barrel going on but I expect that to change as we add some age. It's definitely a well made BA Wee Heavy and worth a try if you can find it.
May 26, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by SHODriver from North Carolina
A: Poured into a snifter to a deep ruddy brown topped by a fndinger of dense and rocky cream colored head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing.
S: Smells of huge caramel and toffee notes with some dark fruits. Nice barrel in there as well with some oak and vanilla. It smells like really good bread pudding.
T: Taste is caramel and toffee with some toasted malts, nice oak, a little dark fruit with a hint of raisins along with a slight touch of vanilla. On the swallow there's more oak, some more caramel and vanilla, along with a little more toffee and lingering dark fruits.
M: This beer is fairly full in body with a slightly creamy texture. Carbonation is effervescent and a little heavier than necessary but it isn't distracting. The beer has a drying finish due to the ABV.
O: Overall this is a really nice beer. It has some great flavors and complexity which make it an interesting drink. Similar to the Old Ale this one doesn't have a whole lot of barrel going on but I expect that to change as we add some age. It's definitely a well made BA Wee Heavy and worth a try if you can find it.
May 26, 2019
4.91 by SaxmanRick from Minnesota on Jun 18, 2018
4.8 by JamieDuncan from Maryland on Apr 08, 2018
3.63/5 rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by stakem from Pennsylvania
Bottle into a sniftet appears a hazy brown color with a khaki head.
It smells woody with caramel and molasses sweetness before getting a but boozy.
It tastes like cedar planks, solvent alcohol yet quite tannic and woody with mild vanilla and caramel.
This is medium to fuller in body with modest carbonation. Overall not bad considering but not my favorite in the lineup either.
Feb 12, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by stakem from Pennsylvania
Bottle into a sniftet appears a hazy brown color with a khaki head.
It smells woody with caramel and molasses sweetness before getting a but boozy.
It tastes like cedar planks, solvent alcohol yet quite tannic and woody with mild vanilla and caramel.
This is medium to fuller in body with modest carbonation. Overall not bad considering but not my favorite in the lineup either.
Feb 12, 2018
4.2/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by bluejacket74 from Ohio
750 ml bottle, bottled on 12/21/15 (label says 2016 Edition). Served in a thistle glass, the beer pours a hazy reddish/copper color with about an inch light tan head. Head retention is decent enough, and there's a small amount of lacing. Aroma is nice and sweet, the brew smells like toffee, bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread and some woodiness. Taste is similar to the aroma with bourbon, brown sugar, toffee, molasses, dark bread, nutty, dark fruit and woody flavors. Aroma is sweeter compared to how the brew tastes, but with that being said it's still a sweeter tasting beer. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's slick and smooth with a low/moderate amount of carbonation. It's a little boozy but not too bad at all. Overall I thought this was good, I certainly enjoyed it!
Dec 30, 2017
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by bluejacket74 from Ohio
750 ml bottle, bottled on 12/21/15 (label says 2016 Edition). Served in a thistle glass, the beer pours a hazy reddish/copper color with about an inch light tan head. Head retention is decent enough, and there's a small amount of lacing. Aroma is nice and sweet, the brew smells like toffee, bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar, dark bread and some woodiness. Taste is similar to the aroma with bourbon, brown sugar, toffee, molasses, dark bread, nutty, dark fruit and woody flavors. Aroma is sweeter compared to how the brew tastes, but with that being said it's still a sweeter tasting beer. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's slick and smooth with a low/moderate amount of carbonation. It's a little boozy but not too bad at all. Overall I thought this was good, I certainly enjoyed it!
Dec 30, 2017
3.51/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
by Sabtos from Ohio
Dark burnt copper-red with a thick, light tan foam blanket that dies to nothing at all, leaving a shiny brandy-looking beer.
Smell is soggy toast, toffee, graham, bourbon, and scotchy caramel.
Taste is caramel, bourbon, dried leafs, bourbon, toffee, bourbon, and dry wood! Needless to say--hot! With a dry, chewy finish.
Aug 27, 2017
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
by Sabtos from Ohio
Dark burnt copper-red with a thick, light tan foam blanket that dies to nothing at all, leaving a shiny brandy-looking beer.
Smell is soggy toast, toffee, graham, bourbon, and scotchy caramel.
Taste is caramel, bourbon, dried leafs, bourbon, toffee, bourbon, and dry wood! Needless to say--hot! With a dry, chewy finish.
Aug 27, 2017
4.25 by NickThePyro from Washington on Jul 07, 2017
4.28 by jaydoc from Kansas on May 18, 2017
4 by oriolesfan4 from Maryland on May 16, 2017
3.96 by swanfungus from California on May 09, 2017
4 by imperialking from Illinois on Mar 20, 2017
4/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by pathman from Ohio
2/18/17 bottle Winking Lizard Barrel Aged Beer Festival
Feb 18, 2017
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by pathman from Ohio
2/18/17 bottle Winking Lizard Barrel Aged Beer Festival
Feb 18, 2017
4.49 by gobuccos from Ohio on Jan 16, 2017
4.29 by tbone1384 from Wyoming on Jan 02, 2017
4.05 by kmoen from California on Jan 01, 2017
4.04 by BAsbill from California on Jan 01, 2017
3.72/5 rDev -9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by SpeedwayJim from New York
750ml waxed and capped bottle into a Surly teku. Shared with schen9303.
Beer looks muddy. Nose is bourbon, oak, tobacco, molasses, brown sugar and a touch of pine. Very sweet and syrupy. Opens brown sugar, molasses and syrup. A touch of hazelnut and a boatload of booze that wafts over the complexities of this beer. Sweet with more maple and molasses at the end. A little one dimensional and coarse. Beer is full bodied with low carbonation. Smooth and slick in the mouth and goes down hot and accented. Really tickles and caresses the throat at the same time.
This is ok, but it needs more time for the booziness to wane a little.
Nov 23, 2016
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
by SpeedwayJim from New York
750ml waxed and capped bottle into a Surly teku. Shared with schen9303.
Beer looks muddy. Nose is bourbon, oak, tobacco, molasses, brown sugar and a touch of pine. Very sweet and syrupy. Opens brown sugar, molasses and syrup. A touch of hazelnut and a boatload of booze that wafts over the complexities of this beer. Sweet with more maple and molasses at the end. A little one dimensional and coarse. Beer is full bodied with low carbonation. Smooth and slick in the mouth and goes down hot and accented. Really tickles and caresses the throat at the same time.
This is ok, but it needs more time for the booziness to wane a little.
Nov 23, 2016
4.25 by Zekenyce from New Jersey on Nov 09, 2016
4 by brpendergast85 from District of Columbia on Nov 04, 2016
3.75 by nataku00 from California on Oct 28, 2016
4.25 by bigred89 from Maryland on Sep 19, 2016
4.25 by BEER88 from Washington on Sep 17, 2016
4.93 by Studfarm69 from California on Jul 07, 2016
3.65 by mdaschaf from Indiana on Jul 05, 2016
4.17 by taospowder from New Mexico on Jul 01, 2016
3.67 by SDRedDevil from California on Jun 20, 2016
4.29 by Stillyman11 from California on Jun 19, 2016
4.26 by Texasfan549 from Texas on Jun 16, 2016
4.19/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ThickNStout from Georgia
Pale blue wax cappped 750mL bottle acquired through The Bruery's Society. Bottled 12/21/15. Served in a Bruery snifter.
Pours a brilliant, clear burgundy with about two and a half fingers of beige head. The foam crackles away quickly, leaving a few wisps across the surface and a full collar that fails to impart any lacing whatsoever.
Aromas of bourbon, caramel, toffee and some faint peat, all accompanied by a slight tingle of alcohol in my nasal passages. Enticing and distinct.
Taste is a fairly booze-forward combination of burnt caramel, bourbon, cereal grain, lightly smoked malt, toffee and a hint of wet wood. Despite the constant subtle reminder of the boozey heft this goes down pretty easily.
Full body with mildly sparkling carbonation. Toffee, mildly peaty grains and a kiss of bourbon-soaked oak linger in the finish.
Here we go again. The Bruery has decided to treat us to another case study in bourbon barrel aging in their Chronology series. The base Scotch ale is solid, if a bit boozey, and I'm confident that it will hold up well to its two year sentence in barrels. This is a fine beer that serves to build my excitement for the continuation of the Chronology series.
Jun 11, 2016
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ThickNStout from Georgia
Pale blue wax cappped 750mL bottle acquired through The Bruery's Society. Bottled 12/21/15. Served in a Bruery snifter.
Pours a brilliant, clear burgundy with about two and a half fingers of beige head. The foam crackles away quickly, leaving a few wisps across the surface and a full collar that fails to impart any lacing whatsoever.
Aromas of bourbon, caramel, toffee and some faint peat, all accompanied by a slight tingle of alcohol in my nasal passages. Enticing and distinct.
Taste is a fairly booze-forward combination of burnt caramel, bourbon, cereal grain, lightly smoked malt, toffee and a hint of wet wood. Despite the constant subtle reminder of the boozey heft this goes down pretty easily.
Full body with mildly sparkling carbonation. Toffee, mildly peaty grains and a kiss of bourbon-soaked oak linger in the finish.
Here we go again. The Bruery has decided to treat us to another case study in bourbon barrel aging in their Chronology series. The base Scotch ale is solid, if a bit boozey, and I'm confident that it will hold up well to its two year sentence in barrels. This is a fine beer that serves to build my excitement for the continuation of the Chronology series.
Jun 11, 2016
4.33 by shoegueuze from California on Jun 07, 2016
4.16/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by colts9016 from Idaho
A dark murky brown color with mahogany hues. The head is off white, and fair retention.
A rich ripe aroma of vanilla, peat, earth, toffee, caramel, and toffee. The malt is roasty toasty. A slight floral note.
A very bold peat, toffee, vanilla, toffee, caramel and alcohol. Biscuit, toasted malt, roasted malt, and subtle floral note in the background.
The mouthfeel is coating, and finishes long.
This is the first beer I have had from The Bruery, and it is very good. I am so surprised that the beer is not heavy but it is chewy. Very good flavors. I am looking forward to many beers from here.
Jun 05, 2016
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by colts9016 from Idaho
A dark murky brown color with mahogany hues. The head is off white, and fair retention.
A rich ripe aroma of vanilla, peat, earth, toffee, caramel, and toffee. The malt is roasty toasty. A slight floral note.
A very bold peat, toffee, vanilla, toffee, caramel and alcohol. Biscuit, toasted malt, roasted malt, and subtle floral note in the background.
The mouthfeel is coating, and finishes long.
This is the first beer I have had from The Bruery, and it is very good. I am so surprised that the beer is not heavy but it is chewy. Very good flavors. I am looking forward to many beers from here.
Jun 05, 2016
4.09 by ivegot3Dvision from Oregon on May 25, 2016
3.75 by shirtless_mike from Indiana on May 16, 2016
4.35 by TboneRN from Minnesota on May 14, 2016
Chronology:6 - Wee Heavy from The Bruery
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
69 ratings