Pipes of Christmas
Bull N Bear Brewery

Reviewed the day after the brewery opened. Poured from growler into pint glass. It pours an attractive, dark cola color with a thick frothy, light khaki head and thick, clinging lacing. The smell is mostly floral and spicy without much smoky peat. The taste opens sweeter than I expected with lots of caramel and cola, toasted dark bread, nutmeg, and other spices. As it warms I'm tasting the telltale burnt peat and tobacco smoke that signals a Wee Heavy. While not as smoky as I'd expect, there is more hoppy bitterness, particularly at the finish, which nicely balances the initial sweetness. The mouth feel is great; it's relatively thick and creamy with pleasant carbonation, and the 8.5% ABV gives it good substance. Overall, this is a flavorful, enjoyable Scotch Ale. While it doesn't emphasize smoke and peat, this recipe is more approachable for someone new to the style. It's big enough to pair with dinner but ideal for casual drinking. A very nice offering from a new brewer. Updated 12/2023: The smell and taste in this batch has improved significantly - including the use of peated malt to produce a must more robust flavor. I raised my rating accordingly.