AleSmith Brewing Wee Heavy
What the brewers say
“Wee Heavy is incredibly nuanced and in a class of its own in terms of balance and sophistication. It ages very well and will keep improving for years to come.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Esters are up front with grape, some stewed apple, light pear, and red berry. Caramel malt with some toast in the background. A bit of herbal hops and maybe a hint of citrus.
Cola, burnt sugar, caramel, woody hops, mushrooms, and alcohol.”
Flavor: “Red berry, grape, and cola. Caramel and toast. It’s a big blend of crystal malt and West Coast hops. Body and sweetness are about right for style, but the West Coast hops highlight the caramel malt in a somewhat unique way. Creamy and effervescent with moderate bitterness and a dry finish.”
Overall: “This beer shows its strength but remains fairly balanced. It doesn’t fit the style definition, but the tweaks work to create a unique character. This is a crossover between an Imperial Red and a Wee Heavy. Fun idea, and one that gets rid of the harshness so common in big American reds.”
