MacGregor's Wee Heavy
Bushwakker Brewing Company

 

 

Got this brew from CanBIF from last year (or was it the year before?), finally got around to drink it.

Good looking dark crimson with a thin hint of lace.

I really enjoyed the smell. Very interesting mix of peat smoke and fruity, like strawberries preserved in a mix of syrup and scotch, with maybe a bit of starch (curious to know if this was due to aging).

Light bodied but full flavored, what comes out the most is a roasted taste. Not boozy at all, it could have used a bit more residual sweetness to bring it all together.

The aroma stole the show, the flavor didn't quite make the grade for my taste but I still enjoyed quite a bit.

A - dark amber, but light enough to pass through lots of red light, and carbonation is visible. Pours a thin head which recedes to a splotchy cap. Already leaving lace on the glass.

S - well rounded sweetness, with an underlying earthiness I can't quite put my finger on, and the faintest hint of smoke.

T - chewy caramel malt upfront, light smoke slowly creeps in and becomes more obvious in the finish, but it is still quite delicate

M - full bodied, slight stickiness coats the mouth, dry finish pairs well with the hint of smoke. Alcohol warmth is immediately noticable, but it is smooth.

D - this is a recent favourite of mine at the Bushwakker, almost makes me forget about them not making the Doppelbock this year.

This is a seasonal release that comes out every January and this is the 2008 version. Last year's version was ok, but not great. This one is superb. In a recent 3-way tasting, it more than held it's own against 2 classics of the style; Belhaven Wee Heavy and Traquair House Ale. Mitch did an extended boil on this one, and it has really brought the maltiness up a notch. Smoke character is subtle and complex. Highly recommended.

650ml bottle poured in a pint glass. This is only brewed once a year in January (February?) for Bushwakker's anniversary.

Deep, dark red amber. Almost looks black until you hold it up towards a light and then a beautiful red shines through. Very little thin beige head on the pour which disappears almost instantly.

Rich, full malt aroma. A little sweet with a hint of fruit and an undertone of earthiness. Subtle smoke and peat aromas as it warms.

Big, full malt profile with a little peatiness and a hint of smoke in the middle. A mild hop bite pops in for balance also in the middle. Light malt bitter finish. Malty cough syrup aftertaste.

Full bodied with very little carbonation. Smooth but thick and syrupy.

This is definitely a sipping beer. It's just so full, rich and thick that you don't really want to drink it fast. In my opinion, this is a great rendition of a Wee Heavy, because it has alot of subtle flavours and aromas, and doesn't allow any to become overwhelming. Perfectly balanced.