Geary's Wee Heavy Scottish Ale
D.L. Geary Brewing Company

Geary's Wee Heavy Scottish AleGeary's Wee Heavy Scottish Ale
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From:
D.L. Geary Brewing Company
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
ABV:
8%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.76 | pDev: 9.84%
Reviews:
47
Ratings:
63
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 31, 2018
Added:
Dec 01, 2008
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  1
A Scottish ale with a rich roasted maltiness blended with mellow hoppiness, and an alcohol by volume of 8%. Original gravity ~ 1080; Malts ~ Two row English malt (pale, crystal and black); Hops ~ Cascade and Golding.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Reswald:
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Reviewed by Reswald from Alaska

4.25/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Purchased and drank a bottle in Annapolis, MD on 7/13/2010.

This Wee Heavy poured absolutely opaque, with a nice tan head that dissipated fairly quickly, leaving good lacing on the glass. The aroma is of malt, laced with some roasted notes and even hints of dark fruit; very inviting. Tasting it, the malt is in the forefront, with just enough hop bitterness for balance. I did not pick up any smoke, though this is optional for the style. The 8% ABV is well-hidden, making this Scotch Ale much more drinkable than some of the hotter versions out there. Good carbonation and a nice finish. I'm a sucker for Scotch Ales, but this was truly a fine one.
Aug 06, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.75 by OzmanBey from Massachusetts

Jan 31, 2018
 
Rated: 3.48 by Squire from Mississippi

May 23, 2016
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Rated by mn_nuge from Pennsylvania

2.72/5  rDev -27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2
Perhaps I had an old bottle. I found the smell to be great but the flavor to be dull and lifeless.
Aug 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by OKCNittany from Oklahoma

Aug 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by wrightst from Maryland

Jul 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Latarnik from New Jersey

May 26, 2014
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Reviewed by ThisWangsChung from Maryland

3.69/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle into a pint glass. Jebus knows how old this bottle is.

A: Pours a very dark red color. The head is a bubbly, creamy two finger mocha shade. I like its soft texture, it's good retention, and its spotty lacing.

S: Wha, sour cherries? Could be infected, but it still works with the mild caramel sweetness and *very* subtle chocolate. Maybe just a touch of oxidation, as well. I'm not sure this was the intended result, but the fact that it still smells really good still gives me hope. Hey, I'm a sucker for sour ales.

T: Damn, there isn't much tartness here. Rather, it functions much like you'd expect a decent wee heavy to: it's smoky, chocolaty, and caramel-y; yet, there's just the subtlest hint of tart cherries that makes it weirdly excellent. On the other hand, there are also hints of oxidation and metal on the back end which detract. I have no idea if this would have been great fresh-- well look at that, it's a twist-off cap.

M: This is incredibly soft, yet with a pleasantly clean and dry finish. Low carbonation suits the feel and the flavors quite well.

O: This...has aged well. YMMV, because it does taste like it's going through an infection. And it's pretty oxidized. Drink 'em now or end up with a cardboard-laden mess. Regardless, this one was quite enjoyable, warts and all.
Oct 10, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by db12 from Massachusetts

Jul 16, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by AJ01923 from Massachusetts

Jul 12, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by MRsojourner from Massachusetts

Jun 21, 2013
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Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.21/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had on tap at New World Tavern--Plymouth--served into a tulip.

Appearance: minimal head and carbonation, dark brown in color, opaque

Smell: caramel, peat, and flower

Taste: caramel, peat, flower, with slight chocolate and earthy bitterness at the end

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy body, sweet with earthy bitterness especially at the end, low carbonation

Overall: The bitterness at the end of this one threw me a bit. This is an average Scotch Ale. The basic flavors are present, but there are several others in the style I would go to first.
Jan 25, 2013
Photo of nickfl
Reviewed by nickfl from Florida

4.3/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours with one finger of tan foam on top of a dark brown body with clear, amber highlights. The head settles fairly rapidly and leaves a good dose of lace on the glass.

S - Dark, sugary notes of molasses and brown sugar with a hint of smoke and dark chocolate.

T - Dark malt flavors up front with notes of molasses, dark chocolate, and raisins. More dark sugar in the middle with fruity caramel, red apple, plum and more hints of dark chocolate. Finishes with lightly smoky chocolate, caramel, and a lingering molasses note.

M - Medium body, moderately high carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - Interestingly this is a bit out of style for a Scottish ale, but it is probably a much nicer beer overall than it would be if it conformed to that style. The malt is dark and complex to the point that it is almost an imperial stout. Very nice in the end.
Jun 20, 2012
Photo of TheManiacalOne
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a dark coppery brown color, with a short off-white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, bourbon, vanilla, some fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with flavors of caramel, vanilla and bourbon. Then a hearty malt character comes in. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium-to-heavy body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer but there are several that are better in the style.
May 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by ZacMetalFan from Maine

Apr 18, 2012
Photo of cjgator3
Reviewed by cjgator3 from Florida

3.7/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle

A- Poured into a pint glass. Pours a dark brown color with a light tan head.

S- The aroma is sweet malt, caramel, dark fruits, pumpernickel bread and molasses. The aroma is very malty, smells good.

T- The taste is big and malty with malt and caramel with a lingering sweetness in the finish.

M- The mouthfeel is medium bodies with a good amount of carbonation.

O- Overall, this is a solid Wee Heavy that is a worth choice whenever in the mood for something more on the malty side.
Apr 01, 2012
Photo of beer2day
Reviewed by beer2day from North Carolina

3.61/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Dark mahogany color with thick, 1+ finger cream-colored head. Excellent retention and thick lace.

Nose is more caramel malt than peat. Sweet and sticky, with nutty undertones.

Seriously sweet with caramel and caramel sugar. Tart finish with more carame, burnt this time, and notes of tart candied fruit. Smoky peat starts to come out, but there is an unfinished character to the beer that gets in the way. Not as earthy as I'd like, but close.

Feel is about right for the style. Thick and chewy. Notes of cream and resin.

Overall a bit disappointing but worth a try.
Mar 24, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by DarrellK from Florida

Mar 10, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by erlenmeyer from Maine

Jan 13, 2012
Geary's Wee Heavy Scottish Ale from D.L. Geary Brewing Company
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 63 ratings