Try?
Wee Heavy-er? Well
that's a strange name now, isn't it? Beer geeks everywhere will most surely
be familiar with the style of brew named Wee Heavy. Wee Heavy is also
known as Scotch Ale in some quarters, though not to be confused with
Scottish Ale, which is not as big or heavy as Wee Heavy. Does that
straighten things out? I hope so.
Anyway, when I think of Scottish ales, I think of beers like Belhaven, with a distinct caramel flavor and aroma, moderate alcohol content and superior drinkability. Wee Heavys, then, are more of a sipping beer, best imbibed after a rich meal or perhaps to chase the edge off of a cool fall evening.
Asheville, North Carolina's French broad brewery seems to have tried to preserve some of the Scottish ale in their Wee Heavy, as you'll shortly see below when I remark upon the interesting caramel flavors. Wee Heavy's got their name from their elevated alcohol content, but don't assume that French Broad's version is therefore meant to be heavy-er than your average Wee Heavy, not even by a wee bit.
In truth, the Heavy-er portion of the moniker refers to the fact that the beer began life under North Carolina's former alcohol laws, which restricted all beer to a content of no more than 6% alcohol by volume. But after the grassroots "Pop the Cap" movement managed to have the law changed, the beer is now brewed to 7% by volume. See? It's Wee-Heavyer.
French Broad Wee Heavy-er pours to a muddy reddish color not all that dissimilar to a handful of good old Georgia clay (you can find it in North Carolina, too) with a decidedly sweet fruity apple nose and a very light head formation. Taking a sip I'm very surprised at what I'm tasting, mostly because this isn't a lot like any Wee Heavy Scotch Ale I've ever tasted.
This is something really different, a bit like a chewy malty fall seasonal, with strong notes of treacle, sweet caramel, and fruity red apple, the latter imparting a very pronounced caramel apple suggestion. I get a lot of sugary, candyish notes here right on into the finish, which is balanced late by a hint of bitter hops. Overall, though, this seems a very sweet beer indeed.
Hedonistically, I like this one, though stylistically it does not get such high marks. It's not as strong in alcohol as a wee heavy ought to be, either, weighing in at 7%. Still, that's almost half again as strong as most beers. I like French Broad beers, and though I think this one isn't exactly my favorite, I would certainly buy it again.
Anyway, when I think of Scottish ales, I think of beers like Belhaven, with a distinct caramel flavor and aroma, moderate alcohol content and superior drinkability. Wee Heavys, then, are more of a sipping beer, best imbibed after a rich meal or perhaps to chase the edge off of a cool fall evening.
Asheville, North Carolina's French broad brewery seems to have tried to preserve some of the Scottish ale in their Wee Heavy, as you'll shortly see below when I remark upon the interesting caramel flavors. Wee Heavy's got their name from their elevated alcohol content, but don't assume that French Broad's version is therefore meant to be heavy-er than your average Wee Heavy, not even by a wee bit.
In truth, the Heavy-er portion of the moniker refers to the fact that the beer began life under North Carolina's former alcohol laws, which restricted all beer to a content of no more than 6% alcohol by volume. But after the grassroots "Pop the Cap" movement managed to have the law changed, the beer is now brewed to 7% by volume. See? It's Wee-Heavyer.
French Broad Wee Heavy-er pours to a muddy reddish color not all that dissimilar to a handful of good old Georgia clay (you can find it in North Carolina, too) with a decidedly sweet fruity apple nose and a very light head formation. Taking a sip I'm very surprised at what I'm tasting, mostly because this isn't a lot like any Wee Heavy Scotch Ale I've ever tasted.
This is something really different, a bit like a chewy malty fall seasonal, with strong notes of treacle, sweet caramel, and fruity red apple, the latter imparting a very pronounced caramel apple suggestion. I get a lot of sugary, candyish notes here right on into the finish, which is balanced late by a hint of bitter hops. Overall, though, this seems a very sweet beer indeed.
Hedonistically, I like this one, though stylistically it does not get such high marks. It's not as strong in alcohol as a wee heavy ought to be, either, weighing in at 7%. Still, that's almost half again as strong as most beers. I like French Broad beers, and though I think this one isn't exactly my favorite, I would certainly buy it again.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
