Wee Heavy, also known as Strong Scotch Ale or 90 Shilling (sometimes abbreviated 90/-), is the strongest of the Scottish beer styles, with alcohol content and original gravity in some cases rivaling Barley Wine. Like many Scottish beers, it is sweet and malt-oriented. Although sometimes called 90/-, the actual tax rates on this beer could be as high as 160/- for the strongest versions.
Contents
History of Wee Heavy
|
This section is a stub.
|
Types of Wee Heavy
As with all Scottish beer styles, there is no good evidence of peat smoked malt, which was commonly used in making whiskey, being used in the brewing of Wee Heavy. However, some modern brewers both inside and outside of Scotland have used this traditional Scotch malt in brewing as well, usually in the heavier beers such as Scottish Export Ale and especially Wee Heavy.
Brewing Wee Heavy
|
This section is a stub.
|
Competition Styles
The BJCP recognizes Wee Heavy, and the GABF also defines a separate style for versions brewed with peat smoked malt.
BJCP Style Guidelines
| |||||||||
|
GABF Style Listings
| ||||||
| ||||||
71. Strong Scotch Ale
A. Subcategory: Traditional Strong Scotch Ale Scotch ales are overwhelmingly malty and full bodied. Perception of hop bitterness is very low. Hop flavor and aroma are very low or nonexistent. Color ranges from deep copper to brown. The clean alcohol flavor balances the rich and dominant sweet maltiness in flavor and aroma. A caramel character is often a part of the profile. Dark roasted malt flavors and aroma may be evident at low levels. Fruity esters are generally at medium aromatic and flavor levels. Low diacetyl levels are acceptable. Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures. Because there is little evidence suggesting that traditionally made strong Scotch ales exhibited peat smoke character, entries in this subcategory will not exhibit peaty/smoky character. Original Gravity (ºPlato): 1.072-1.085 (18-21 ºPlato) Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (ºPlato): 1.016-1.028 (4-7 ºPlato) Alcohol by Weight (Volume): 5.2-6.7% (6.2-8%) Bitterness (IBU): 25-35 Color SRM (EBC): 15-30 (30-60 EBC)
B. Subcategory: Peated Strong Scotch Ale Scotch ales are overwhelmingly malty and full bodied. Perception of hop bitterness is very low. Hop flavor and aroma are very low or nonexistent. Color ranges from deep copper to brown. The clean alcohol flavor balances the rich and dominant sweet maltiness in flavor and aroma. A caramel character is often a part of the profile. Dark roasted malt flavors and aroma may be evident at low levels. Fruity esters are generally at medium aromatic and flavor levels. Low diacetyl levels are acceptable. Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures. Though there is little evidence suggesting that traditionally made strong Scotch ales exhibited peat smoke character, the current marketplace offers many strong Scotch ales with peat or smoke character present at low to medium levels. Thus entries in this subcategory may exhibit a peaty/smoky character at low levels (ales with medium or higher smoke character would be considered a smoke flavored beer and considered in another category). Original Gravity (ºPlato): 1.072-1.085 (18-21 ºPlato) Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (ºPlato): 1.016-1.028 (4-7 ºPlato) Alcohol by Weight (Volume): 5.2-6.7% (6.2-8%) Bitterness (IBU): 25-35 Color SRM (EBC): 15-30 (30-60 EBC)
