Wee Heavy
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

A: Pours a clear, dark amber with a wisp of off-white mousse that disappears within seconds.

S: Aromas of chocolate, leather, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, raisins, prunes, figs, and dates take a couple of seconds to express themselves on the nose. Alcohol is also noticeable in the background.

T: Notes of caramel, tobacco, leather, chocolate, nougat, toasted almonds, biscotti, dried cherries, toffee, brown sugar, raisins, prunes, figs, and dates are backed by warming alcohol in the mouth. The finish is sweet and punchy with dark fruit flavors underscored by mellow alcohol.

M: Full-bodied and drier than I was expecting, but still rather syrupy. Carbonation is surprisingly firm. Alcohol is pronounced, but is not distracting.

O: This is not a bad Scotch ale/wee heavy, but I was expecting a little more.

Raisins, dates, caramel, and toasted malt in aroma.

Flavor is somewhat sweet, with a toasted, dry, lightly bitter finish. Raisins and dates add complexity, but could use some additional flavor. A touch less cloying than the doppelbock.

 

 

First off, what a nice brewery! Went in for a pint and had one of the owners meet us at the door and give us a nice tour throughout our short stay.

Serving- On tap into a snifter.

Nose- Raisin hits the nose hard with possibly some other, dark fruits. I get dates, and plum. Also, I can definitely get the bourbon/barrel aged notes in there. That boozy smell finishes things up. High alcohol for sure. Not for the feint of heart.

Taste- Follows nose pretty well, I think. The alcohol is certainly more present as it opens up and warms. Caramel notes as well. Solid, smooth mouthfeel, though and nothing too harsh on the palate/throat.

Overall- This is a serious wee heavy! Up until now the only other wee heavies I have really honed in are were Dirty Bastard and Old Chub. They are certainly good. But this one makes those look and taste like Micky Mouse Beer! It is that strong! Wow! A beer I'd only have on of in any sitting. Great work, Blue Stallion. I look forward to trying more of their excellent, traditional selections.

 

 

 

 

From the brewers that bring Lexington fresh-brewed German-style lagers, they cure what "ales" us with this hearty Scottish version.

Bright dark bronze in color, the beer shares a few slivers of mahogany, garnet and ruby. Topped with a creamy off-white and dainty head, the beer simply carries a stately appearance with as much brandy-type legging as it does Belgian lace.

Bold aromas sing sweeter praises with a plethora of malt attributes. From rich molasses and burnt toffee to walnuts, peat, plum and grape- the aromas are much more than just caramel. A blend of esters bring in the fruitiness that continue with light raisin, dates and figs. Alcohol notes offer a spicy port-like robustness.

Similar to aroma, the beer's taste is malty-sweet. Savory like classic port and sherry, its vinous fruitiness is wrapped in a cocoon of toffee, black-strap molasses, light coffee and chocolate, with bitter walnuts, campfire peat, peppercorn and wood. Without hops getting in the way, the beer relies instead on its sheer malt complexity to carry its balance. This leaves the beer succulent and cause for sipping.

Full bodied from beginning to end, its rich, thick and somewhat chewy. Its candy-like sweetness coats the mouth with a mild film and saturates the taste buds with slow-fading sweetness. It keeps the beer lush but lacking development over the middle palate and into its finish. Warm and lightly spicy, the beer resembles rum late.

Complex with dark fruit, earthen smokiness and pepper- but still the beer's malt sweetness steals the show to make it seem to edge toward Barleywine. Those complex "Scottish" tastes need to be more pronounced and its sweetness need more toastiness and dryness to allow it to compete more favorably with those from the Scots.

 

 

 

The head on this Scottish Ale was thick and foamy and I had to congratulate the beertender on such a nice pour. The color was mostly ruby with a reddish and brown hue.

The scent is sweet with dashes of date and prune.

The taste is full and much better with a little age on it. Sweet fruit flavors of candied date, prune, grape and plum emerge with a sugary sweetness attached to all.

Very smooth feel and an easy sugary sweetness this ale has tremendous potential and no alcohol brashness. In fact, it may be the sweetness or simply the style but the 9.5 ABV is completely hidden making it interestingly deceptive.