Extremely strong ale, always sweet, malty and often dark in color. Alcohol content approaching that of a weak barley wine at the high end. Also known as "Wee Heavy Ale."
Profile
Med to full body. Deep malty flavor with some caramel evident. Clean alcohol flavor. Rich body, with little or no hop flavor and aroma. Light copper to dark brown color. Low to moderate esters and alcohol.
Ingredients
Well modified English or Scottish pale malt. Up to 3% roasted barley. Crystal for color. English hops. Scottish or High Gravity Ale yeast. May add smoked malt for "peaty" flavor.
Examples
Traquair House Ale, Orkney Skull Splitter, McEwan's Scotch Ale, Broughton Old Jock, Belhaven Wee Heavy, Hale's Ales Wee Heavy, J.P Grays Wee Heavy, Gordon Highland Scotch Ale