Swamp Head Peat Dunwoody's 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: “Caramel and cooked apples with an underlying toast. Some vanilla sweetness is there, too. Heavy red delicious apple up front, a nice touch oak and smoked malt earthiness. Very low background fruity esters.” Flavor: “Caramel and vanilla dominate the palate. Toast, red apple, cherry, pear, and a light tannic dryness are also present in lower levels. Balance of the base beer is spot on, and it finishes dry. The oak tannins and vanilla work well to accent all of the other flavors while the hops are just enough to center the beer.” Overall: “A little heavy handed on the oak tannins and vanillin, but the interaction of the malt and the wood is soothing, beautifully conceived, and well executed.”

Aroma: “Notes of peat smoke, chocolate, bourbon, plum pudding, vanilla, and spice. There are faint tart notes, hints of grape and caramel, and definite soy sauce as it warms.” Flavor: “Bourbon liqueur–filled chocolate. Lots of malt sweetness. Some nice dark-fruit notes like cherries and a bit of plum. The oak gives some earthiness, and this finishes with a nice warming sensation.” Overall: “Sweet, potent, and smooth. Like drinking a bourbon liqueur–filled chocolate.”