Beer Man: Leinenkugel's Wee Heavy holds its own
- Wee Heavy Scotch Ale is part of Leinenkugel's Big Eddy series
- Somewhat sweet beer has flavors of caramel, toffee, rum and brown sugar
- Cherrywood malt gives beer its smokiness
Beer Man is a weekly profile of beers from across the country and around the world.
This week: Big Eddy Wee Heavy Scotch Ale
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, Wis.
leinie.com
My first experience with a Scottish ale was McEwan's Export back in the 1980s, and I immediately fell in love with the style.
The malt flavor was more intense and flavorful than other United Kingdom ales and there was a slight hint of smoke in the background. I have not come across it for years in the U.S. and never cared for the regular McEwan's, one of the sweetest beers I have ever had.
On the good side, Belhaven beers are now available in the U.S. All of its beers are excellent and its rousing Wee Heavy introduced me to what is essentially the Scottish equivalent of a barleywine. Traquair House Ale is another outstanding example of a wee heavy.
Not quite hitting those lofty heights, but coming close, is Leinenkugel's Wee Heavy Scotch Ale. It is part of the Big Eddy series, which tickled many palates with its Russian Imperial Stout and Imperial IPA.
Like the Russian Imperial Stout, the Wee Heavy is a total malt bomb. Its flavors are rich and varied -- including caramel, toffee, rum and brown sugar. There is an underlying earthy presence, somewhat like tobacco, and hints of dark fruit such as plums and raisins.
There is also a pronounced smokiness, a component of many Scottish ales, though purists argue this should only come from the yeast, not from the addition of something such as smoked peat malt. I don't mind either method. In Leinie's recipe, cherrywood is used to provide the smoke.
The Wee Heavy is somewhat sweet -- nowhere near the McEwan's, however, and not cloying -- but like regular barleywines, tempered by the 9.5% alcohol content, which provides a bite without any unpleasant vodka-like aftertaste. The body is solid and the carbonation is enough to prevent it from being syrupy.
I'm glad that Leinenkugel's has expanded its portfolio to include the Big Eddy series as a contrast to its offerings such as Berry Weiss. It shows it is possible to please everyone, at least when it comes to beer. Leinie's is sold in about 27 states.
Many beers are available only regionally. Check the brewer's website,which often contains information on product availability. Contact ToddHaefer at beerman@postcrescent.com. To read previous Beer Man columns Click here.