Rating: 6/6
Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, Bourbon Barrel Aged by Garage Brewing Co is a 10.1% ABV Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy Aged in Bourbon Barrels
Description:
This well-balanced classic has been aged in bourbon barrels resulting in a dominant malt character and flavors of caramel, bourbon, and smoke.
Review
Super Dark fruit, oak, bourbon, smoked peat with a ton of complexity. Complex flavors and lots of love for this rare style and the many I have tried continues to be amazing!
Rating: 7/7
2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged Smashed Blueberry by Shipyard Brewing is an 11.1% ABV Imperial Scotch/ Wee Heavy Porter blend brewed with Blueberries and aged in Bourbon Barrels.
Label:
Bottle No 00477
Our Bourbon Barrel Aged ales are brewed carefully cellar-aged in small batches in decanted bourbon barrels at our brewery in Portland, Maine.
Malt: Pale Ale, Crystal, Roasted Barley, Chocolate Barley, Munich, Torrified Wheat
Hops: Warrior, Tettnang, Cascade
Yeast Top-Fermeting English
Color: Mahogany
Aroma: Light Vanilla and Blueberry with hints of licorice
Body: Malty and Smooth
Finish: Dry with subtle notes of blueberry and vanilla
Recommended serving temperature is 55° F in brandy-style stemware. Aged over 100 days. Unlimited shelf life.
IBU: 32 SRM: 75-78
ALC/VOL 11.1%
==Introduction==
I obtained this one at www.craftshack.com. I was really surprised to find this one because I never thought Shipyard had considered barrel aging their Smashed Blueberry Cuvee, which is one of my favorite and common Blueberry beers. The original is one I always go back to so to have it in barrel aged form, this is going to be quite the intriguing beer. I can only hope that the beer is better than the original. I already have a fondness for the original so if it is any higher, it will definitely be one to remember. So let’s see what this one is about. Cheers!
Aromas:
Bourbon, Scotch Whiskey notes, Oak, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark fruit raisins, Rich Blueberries, currants, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, coffee cake, Danish cream, cookie dough ice cream, Irish cream coffee, steamed milk, rocky road ice cream, marshmallows, chocolate smores, licorice, anise, molasses, smoked peat, mint, brown sugar, pecan pie, cinnamon, maple syrup, port wine and butterscotch.
Flavors:
Rich Blueberries, blueberry muffins, blueberry cheesecake, blueberry yogurt, Bourbon, oak, vanilla, marshmallows, chocolate smores, licorice, anise, molasses, dark fruit raisins, currants, blackberries, cherries, raspberries, flan, dulce de leche caramel, toasted coconut hints, Scotch whiskey notes, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, coffee cake, blueberry liqueur, port wine, cinnamon, butterscotch, rye bread, brown sugar, fudge brownies, blueberry chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, maple syrup, tobacco, wine grapes, smoked peat, mint, Danish cream, cookie dough ice cream, Irish cream coffee, steamed milk, rocky road ice cream, almond joy covered blueberries and sweetened condensed milk.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich dark fruit notes, blueberries, bourbon hints, earthy notes, smoked peat, licorice, coffee, flan, vanilla, caramel and rich dark chocolate. Despite the 11.1% ABV, no alcohol in the taste, Dark pitch black Crimson full body, smooth, silky, velvety, chewy and syrup mouthfeel with a moderate drinkability.
Overall:
Next to the Artigianale Draco, one of the best blueberries barrel aged beers ever! The fact that this is in one of my favorite uncommon styles, the Wee Heavy, rich in blueberries, a porter and a supreme favorite beer that is bourbon barrel aged, well, it is no wonder at all why I consider this one a bucket lister. No way would I have ever imagined this one being made especially since I thought they only did selected ones. They must have read my mind. Regardless, if you love blueberries and barrel aged beers, you will love this one. I highly recommend it.
Anime Corner:
Anko Mitarashi from Naruto was used in this pairing as with the original Smashed Blueberry, I wanted to pair the blueberry aspects of the beer with Anko’s looks and flavors of the beer. The aspects of a true desert and full flavorful strength can be summed up by this beer. Her strength and Kunoichi talents works by seducing you with flavors and then taking you out which is represented by the silent but deadly alcohol. Innuendos as it seems, I do imply she is the Smashed Blueberry but with a winner like this, it is a must!
Sources:
http://www.wallpapers.cyberpk.net/data/media/22/anko-mitarashi-licking-kunai.jpg
http://www.zerochan.net/full/429279
http://dc731.4shared.com/img/Rx_Y55Suce/s24/1477e77cbf0/10302118_751220388231663_39300
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w218/broken_soul01/anko24do.jpg~original
Rating: 5.75/5
Ride The Lion by Clown Shoes brewing is an 11% ABV Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy aged in bourbon barrels.
Label:
Descended from a notorious clan of Scottish lore, head brewer Dan Lipke channeled the Tartan tapestry encoded in his DNA to create a formidable Wee Heavy. The beer has been aged 100% in fresh bourbon barrels. Ask yourself, “Who needs to ride the lion?”
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This beer is finally coming around this area. Clown Shoes has been making some crazy amazing beers not only in the artistic label fashion but the mind blowing flavor aspects too. Their beers are some of my favorites from the east coast. I am really glad they have been able to distribute some goodies in many places. The Wee Heavy/Scotish Ale style is one that has never let me down. I have yet to try a scotch ale that doesn’t disappoint. Therefore, I definitely look forward to this one.
Aromas:
Lots of good oaked bourbon, vanilla, caramel, dark fruits, marshmallows, graham crackers, earthy and smoked peat, blue berry cheese cake, flan, port wine hints, dark fruits like raisins, currants, plums, prunes, boysenberries, black berries, grapes, anise, licorice, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bananas, clove spice, mild coconut, butterscotch, brown sugar, cinnamon, scotch, stone fruit hints like peach and apricot.
Flavors:
Dulce de leche caramel, Bourbon, vanilla, oak, scotch whiskey, rich earthy and smoked peat, dark fruits like cherries, raisins, currants, plums, boysenberries, blackberies, anise, licorice, port wine hints, marshmallow, rye bread, wine and cheese party, flan hints, butterscotch, cinnamon, brown sugar, musty notes, clove spice, banana flavors when it warms up, tobacco, leather notes, flan, blueberry cheesecake, stone fruit peaches, apricots and lychee.
Aftertaste:
Smokey and earthy peat, rye bread, oak, bourbon, caramel, vanilla, dark fruit, tobacco and leather notes. Slight alcohol burn in the taste but nothing detracting from the flavor, smooth drinkability despite the ABV, medium mouth feel and medium to full body.
Overall:
Definitely exceeding expectations for sure. This beer reminds me more of how Stone Brewing does Bourbon Barrel aging with the whole wine and cheese party thing going on. Basically, that is the way I describe oak wine like and earthy cheese flavor. Definitely not in a bad way but I guess the way some beers pair great with certain cheeses, that is all. The beer has a lot of great complex flavors going on here. I would definitely recommend getting this one. Give it a shot, there really isn’t that many wee heavies out there and this one is bourbon barrel aged. Yes it works!
Anime Corner:
Saber Alter/Dark Saber and Arthur The Lion from Fate/Stay Night/Hollow Ataraxia was used in this pairing not just to pair the label with the lion and the warrior girl but the aspects of the lion is what not just represents awesomeness but the bourbon barrel aging itself. As you can see, if Saber is a bad ass Wee Heavy by herself, then the lion brings forth her ultimate strength which brings out the complexities of her. They represent the dark fruits and cherry notes as well as the other complex flavors. Ride the Lion is synonymous with how smooth both of them work together and go down damn well despite their united strength!
Sources:
http://konachan.com/post/show/8124
Rating: 6/5
Backwoods Bastard by Founders Brewing is a 10.2% ABV World Class Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy aged in bourbon barrels.
Description:
Big and delicious for your ’perty mouth. Expect lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch, oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts. A bit of earthy spice and a scintilla of dark cherries. It’s a kick-back sipper made to excite the palate.
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Thanks to my friend Aaron from www.beermetaldude.com for hooking me up with this awesome Wee Heavy. Rated as the 5th best Wee Heavy Scotch ale in the world, this is quite the honor. The Wee Heavy Style is one of my favorite styles of beer that is not often brewed or just not often seen by me. All the ones I have tried are just phenomenal, and yet I have not found a true bad Scotch Ale yet. So to Aaron, once again, cheers for donating this one to the site good sir!
Aromas:
Lots of rich vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, dark and milk chocolate, very dark fruit raisins, figs, dark cherries, plums, rye bread, brown sugar, smoked peat, toasted coconut, bourbon, marshmallows, raisin bread pudding, pecan pie, choco flan, molasses, oak, scotch whiskey, port wine, almond joy, anise, licorice and marshmallows smores over campfire.
Flavors
Lots of oak, rye bread, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, marshmallows, bourbon, scotch and butterscotch, toasted coconut, macadamia nut nectar, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, molasses, smoked peat, dark fruits like raisins, figs, plums, dark cherries, anise, choco flan, raisin bread pudding, prailines, milk and dark chocolate, espresso hints, rye bread, brown sugar, marshmallow smores, almond joy chocolate, licorice hints, port wine, ginger spice hints, earthy notes, brownie on vanilla ice cream and cookies and cream.
Aftertaste:
Leaving with dark and mil chocolate, vanilla, caramel, scotch, toasted coconut, dark cherry, dark fruit raisins and anise. Well hidden alcohol, a sipping but very smooth drinkability with a medium mouth feel.
Overall:
Definitely one of the highest candidates. This beer is truly exceptionally world class. The way it is done with balance, smoothness and lots of complex and rich flavors is just up there with some of the greats! Probably the best Wee Heavy I have ever tried. Highly Recommended! Thanks again Aaron, and cheers!!
Anime Corner:
Kawashiro Nitori and Kurodani Yamame from the Touhou were chosen in this pairing represent the label and the overall name of what it really means to be a Backwoods Bastard!! Yes they fight over a cooked fish at camp grounds but that does not mean they should not share. That doesn’t meant you shouldn’t share this one as it comes in a 4 pack. My friend was awesome for passing this along to me and knows what it is like to share the wealth when it comes to searching for the lost beer treasures. I had only heard a little bit about this beer and now that I know, I wish to seek it out again one day. The woods and mountains is where Nitori is from and Yamame was probably lost since she is from the underworld. Just goes to show, how much of a Bastard Yamame may be. Oh well.
Sources:
http://www.zerochan.net/1241174
Rating: 5.5/5
Bourbon Barrel Aged Wee Heavy by Ale Smith brewing is a 10% ABV Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels. This is a recent 2012 release.
Label:
Great American Beer Festival 2008 “Small Brewing Company of the Year”
This Barrel-Aged version of our Scotch-Style Ale is matured in premium bourbons barrels for at least one year to add layers of complexity to its rich, malty flavor profile. Notes of Vanilla, Oak, and Bourbon from the Barrels combine with the beer’s profile of caramel and toffee to make an utterly unique beer we think you’ll love. Enjoy it now or let it mature in the bottle for years to come. Serve in a goblet at 50-55 degrees.
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Wee Heavy beers are pretty good. I once enjoyed a Sam Adams Wee Heavy which probably does not come close to the awesomeness of this on. I still have to try the original of this but I figured when I saw my chance to get this one I take it. The fragrance coming of the beer in the glass is pretty sweet. Bourbon, Vanilla, plums, caramel, licorice, molasses, butterscotch and possibly some chocolate as well. The flavors are freaking phenomenal. So the first thing I notice is there is really not a lot of burning alcohol for being a “Heavy” ABV beer. The flavors flow of Bourbon, vanilla, caramel, toffee, Blueberry Cheesecake, flan, Dulce de leche and Sweetened Condensed Milk (Leche Nestle), raisins, butterscotch, blackberries, boysenberries, sugar coconut crème pudding, Chocolate Mousse, oak, walnuts and like a Jaggermeister Licorice sweetness. I remember some of the very good notes reminiscent of the original wee heavy I have tried which was a Sam Adams version but this is amplified to over 9000 times in complexity and flavor. I exaggerate ofcourse but when it comes to some of the best beers in the world, this is certainly one of them and I can’t explain it enough. It is just delicious. Now… I am sure this will pair great with a nice dessert 😛
Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore) 