Wee Heavy
Beer Academy

Wee Heavy Winter Ale tries to offer some colour and clarity but they're difficult to appreciate. No matter, this dark beer is probably best seen against the early dusk of a wintry sky anyhow, when the dimming tones of nightfall seem to breath cold air into this already shadowy beer. An upright pour generates a good head, of which little would ultimately last.

Sweet malt and dried fruits are smelled through a veil of smoke just as traffic lights are seen through mist after a cool rainstorm in humid weather. That toasty, lightly astringent note might almost be likened to coffee if not for its distinctly peaty dimension. Esters abound.

Oxidization is fairly pronounced - as it was fresh, though admittedly a few more weeks in the flip-top bottle hasn't helped in this aspect - and the aftertaste is as faded as my favourite t-shirt. Still, the initial flavour of the beer has endured: rye bread, burnt nuts and farmers-market-fresh plums thrive. Sugary, raisin-like esters certainly make their mark also.

The thick, chewy mouthfeel (oxidization notwithstanding) and 7.1% alcohol might restrict the ability to quaff this one back, but it's this kind of "heaviness" that literally defines the a 'Wee Heavy'. Still, this beer may not be enough for style's biggest enthusiasts, though it does offer a great glimpse of its definitively peaty, sweet, rich, malty character.

This example of the wee heavy may be a wee bit tame, but makes it wholly possible to imagine all the rich, sweet maltiness the style's best offerings have to offer. It also begs the question "why haven't more North American craft brewers discovered this style?" which itself leads to the conclusion "Beer Academy's Wee Heavy Winter Ale is a good find".

1 Litre bottle shared with a couple of staff for end of year treat. Very dark brown. Mild smoke aroma, more malty. Taste of rich malt and well integrated smoke. Some time in the bottle may have made a contribution. Good drinkability. Only lightly bitter, more sweet malt notes including some caramel. Smooth drinker.A good job with a style I often do not like the results of.