AleSmith Brewing BA Wee Heavy

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.”

Aroma: “Honey-glazed crystal malt, chocolate, lots of caramel, some soy sauce, dried cherry and fig, cardboard oxidation, stewed plums, and bourbon. Enticing and inviting.” Flavor: “Chocolate, soy sauce, stewed plums, bourbon, full-bodied sweetness, with some hints of cherry add sweet complexity in the flavor. Very malt forward, and the oak complements the flavors. A strong warming through the finish, which adds to this beer.” Overall: “A sweet version of a wee heavy with assertive bourbon notes and appropriate malt depth. Good caramel, a bit of chocolate with some toast, and slight dark fruits followed with some oak in the back. It’s sweet yet not cloying, and the oxidation notes really complement the beer, adding richness.”

Aroma: “Blueberry and pepper spice notes from the coffee. Possibly some other fruit notes such as raspberry, cherry. The base beer is stouty, playing a supporting role without being distracting.” Flavor: “Medium-full bodied with some definite alcohol warmth. The base beer is more prevalent than on the aroma, bringing a nice dark-chocolate quality to complement the fruitiness of the coffee and the roasted malt.” Overall: “Rich, strong, and complex. The fermentation character gives it a bit of an alcoholic edge throughout. Great dark malt complexity, and the coffee and a spicy character that pairs well with the base beer.”