A Little Bit About… Wee Heavy

Features: Kings Shilling by Brewdog

The History of Wee Heavy

The Wee Heavy, also know as a Scotch Ale, is a historical Scottish beer style. It is thought that it may have been brewed as far back as 5000 years ago. It is a malt-forward beer as hops were not native to Scotland. At the time they were grown in England in places such as Kent (where I’m from) Hereford and Worcestershire, but it was too expensive to ship them up to Scotland. High-quality malt, on the other hand, is produced in Scotland, and so became the hero of this style. Peat smoke notes, as is common in Scottish whiskey, can also be found in this style.

Wee Heavy is the strongest of a range of 4 Scottish sub-styles referred to at 90/- to 160/-, /- meaning shilling. A cask of the beer would cost the named amount in shillings. Although the shilling as a currency is no longer used, the names have stuck. These styles are particularly popular in America, where they travelled over with Scottish immigrants. The US version of a Wee Heavy or Scotch Ale tends to be higher in ABV and served in a signature thistle shaped glass.

Gordon Xmas by Brewery John Martin

Wee Heavy Style Guidelines

Amber and light brown to dark brown in colour, Wee Heavy beers tend to have a robust, tan head. Caramelised malt aromas and sometimes peat smoke are common, also earthy notes. It should not have a high hop profile - the balance is towards the malts in this style. The body can be rich, robust and even viscous and chewy. We are looking for rich, caramel malt flavours supported by roasty, nutty or toasty notes. Wee Heavy should be dessert-like but not cloying or syrupy. Expect and elevated ABV, but this can be lower from versions in Scotland.

Jacobite Ale by Traquire House Brewery

Colour: Amber to brown (14-25 SRM)

Perceived Bitterness: Low (17 - 35 IBUs)

ABV: Evelvated to high (6.5 - 10% ABV)

Related Styles: Scottish Light, Scottish Heavy, Scottish Export

A Wee Bit by Williams Brothers Brewing Co x Brooklyn Brewery

If you would like to learn more about beer styles, we look at a different style every month in The Beer Tent Society through history presentations and live tastings. Come join us here!