Big Eddy Wee Heavy Scotch Ale - Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.79/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

2012 vintage

LOOK: Pours a brownish amber, mostly clear, with a chill haze. Head is short lived and leaves without a trace

SMELL: Brown sugar, caramel, toasted malt and bread.

TASTE: Well rounded flavor of everything malty. Here we have toast, caramel, toffee and mild alcohol flavor. Hops provide a light bitterness around the edges, but come off a bit processed and medicinal. Finishes on the sweet side, but this is a decent ale here.

FEEL: Full bodied, well carbonated, with a malty finish of highly kilned malts.

OVERALL: Color me impressed. Most leinenkugels beers have no character and taste horrible. This is a nice departure from the norm.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:50:23 | More by Stinkypuss

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a three finger light tan head that fades quickly leaving no lace. Nice clear ruby color. Light carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Dark fruit and caramel nose, flavor is dark fruit and caramel, hints of the higher ABV. Decent scotch ale. $3.29 for a 12oz bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, MA.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 22:09:51 | More by jdhilt

bump8628

Oklahoma

3.78/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Clear mahogany, thin khaki head. Big dark fruit flavors - plum, grape, and cherry. Thick toffee, biscuit, and a faint roastiness. Alcohol is rather strong in the nose. Mild bitterness that leaves just a ghost of astringency on the finish. A pretty decent shot at the style, worth a try to get your malt fix.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 00:19:04 | More by bump8628

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

brown almost black in color, finger of head which quickly dissipated.. barely any head.
smells of peat smoked grains, charcoal, bandaids, wheaties. the flavor is of bandaids, plastic, smoked peat up front. then sweet malty backbone and choclatey somewhat, smokey and somewhat boozey. medium to full body with a modest amount of carbonation.

this is a nice one by them, one of the few. usually this line is hit or miss, (i do mean the big eddy), so it's nice to have a hit!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 02:38:02 | More by facundoCNB

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: clear, orange-brown in color, 1/3 inch head, high carbonation

Smell: alcohol, toasted malt, peat, and brown sugar

Taste: follows the nose--alcohol, toasted malt, peat, and brown sugar

Mouthfeel: sweet with alcohol burn at the end, heavy body, high carbonation

Overall: I really loved Big Eddy RIS so I was really looking forward to the Scotch Ale. Unfortunately, I found the alcohol to be a bit overbearing and the rest of the flavors to not come together as well here as in other Scotch ales. I will finish up more four pack, but will not rush out to get this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 13:46:06 | More by tigg924

CMUbrew

Michigan

4.06/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a Founders snifter
2012 bottle date

A: A nice dark brown-bronze with deep ruby highligts in the light. Poured with a very thin yellow-brown head that lasted about 5 seconds. Not much carbonation rising to the top.

S: First and foremost I pick up some thick syrupy prune and raisin aromas. Then there's a scent that took me a while to pick out of there. After a minute I realized it's smoke. Peaty smokiness that I never expected to find in this Leine's rendition of a wee heavy. I can't really get much else with the heavy dark fruit presence though.

T: Inititally there is a quick wash of that dark fruitiness from the nose, then the peat and smoke notes. Following this is a mash-up of malts. No hops to detect in this year old brew. Alcohol is just not there with the first sips, and barely shows itself even with several minutes warming. At 9.5 percent that quite impressive.

M: Pretty good body here. Slightly touching on a slippery and slick feel, yet it comes off the palate nicely.

O: I'm really glad Leine's surprised me with this one. This is a great example of the style IMO because it really has all the elements it should, particularly the peat and smoke. If they had ramped up the malt profile a bit, maybe with bigger caramel, toffee, and sweet notes, this would have been an out of this world beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:10:58 | More by CMUbrew

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured a half finger of head on a deep amber colored body.
The aroma is a wonderfully rich caramel, licorice and cotton candy.
The taste delivers with a high sweet rating dominated by caramel with the mildest lemon bitter. A fairly short finish with some alcohol heat, which is nice.
Smooth texture with moderate carbonation.
Enjoyable and good.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 00:36:56 | More by Fatehunter

drrone

Arizona

4.21/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A- It pours a nice dark copper/amber color. Little head even with a aggressive pour and no lacing remained afterwards.

S- Great nose, that revealed a strong malt base with touches of delicious toffee and chocolate. Faint waft hops in there.

T- Wow, it really gives you kick. A great wash of malt, plums or cherries and peat flows over my palate. The malt profiles in this are excellent and complex.

M- Medium to full body. Slight alcohol kick. Quite easy to drink for being a higher ABV

O - I really liked this beer. I had an Old Chub earlier and followed up with this to compare. This had a much stronger smell and taste to it. Old Chub is great, but it is more subdued than this beer. The peat and the dark fruit have a distinct presence and make it stand out from the other Scotch Ales I've have. I will definitely drink this again. Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 23:24:44 | More by drrone

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.9/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz served in a Duvel tulip

A - Pours a dark mahogany brown with a small off-white head.

S - Soured fruit, plums, cherries, red apples, sweet molasses, cola syrup.

T - Follows the nose with tart and over ripened fruit, apples, plums, and cherries. Brown sugar and caramel in the background. Earthy barley runs heavy through the center. Alcohol is very prominent adding a sharp dryness. Some nuttiness on the finish.

M - Medium body, ample carbonation helps lift the sweet body, thins out as it sits.

Very fruit forward here. Big rustic malts as well, there was only a hint of roast and no smokiness but the fruit made up for it. Pretty good for the style. The big eddy series is on a roll. (except for the DIPA)

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 21:22:54 | More by StaveHooks

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4.51/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

served in an over sized wine glass

had one of these a while ago, loved it, and never reviewed it (so of course i had to get another one so i could)

appearance: dark brownish, ruby color with little to no head. i don't use this word often for a beer, but when shown up against the light, it looks beautiful.

smell: sweet smell with a hint of dark fruit, earthiness, and a slight graininess.

taste: this is utterly delicious. smokey, deep, dark fruits, toffee, brown sugar. mildly complex, but perfectly balanced

mouth-feel: smooth. medium to thick bodied, but in a good way. easy to drink, but not one to chug.

overall: this is one of the most delicious beers I've had in a long time. been getting into scotch ales recently, and this is my favorite thus far. i know it doesn't have the highest BA rating, but it is absolutely one to try.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 04:39:53 | More by alex_hart

nebula1999

Connecticut

4.65/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap in a sample flight at Backstage EDL in Torrington, CT

Dark brown/black with 1" brown head.

Aroma is amazing. Peat, caramel, smoke(?). Tons of roastiness.

Flavor is similar to the smell, but so rich. Carmel and peat-smoke, brown sugar, plums, creamy richness. To be honest, I didn't expect this to be so good. Especially against the other exotic beers in my sample flight. But this was my favorite. It just hit that spot and blindsided me with unexpected goodness in a glass. Should have gotten a full glass!

Really good on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2013 16:00:31 | More by nebula1999

walkerfrost

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +29.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Pours a a very dark brown with just a touch of red when the light hits it just right. It has a medium light head to it with a nice darker almond color when it is there. The lacing can be a wee heavy(pun intended) and linger on the glass. It smells of burnt brown sugar (ala creme bruľe) with the slightest touch of peat. The taste overall is kind of sweet with a bitterness that hits the back of your tongue with a Smokey peat flavour that lingers and completes the experience. The mouthfeel is thin but hints at syrup with a touch of carbonation. Over all this is a delightful beer especially for those who enjoy a a touch of smokiness in their adult beverages.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 01:45:54 | More by walkerfrost

kylehay2004

Florida

4.14/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Half finger off white head with poor retention on a murky amber brown body. Some lacing. Aroma is very sweet with lots of dark fruit, molasses, brown sugar and burnt caramel. Flavors of sour citrus, dark fruit mostly plum, burnt oak, roasted nuts, molasses and chocolate. Medium chewy body and moderate carbonation. Very complex and full flavored. One of the better I have had of the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 01:12:44 | More by kylehay2004

scot_chale

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A- Deep brown with hints of red, clear though, with a little sight of carbonation and a thin off brown head that fades quickly. lacing on the glass is very minimal.

S- caramel malt aroma that's mildly potent. some dark fruit notes and a bit of malty wort smell overall. very pleasant. it brings a smile to your face almost immediately.

T- that's a wee heavy. if you've ever had one, you know it as soon as it washes over your palate. it's sweet, it's malty, it's barely bitter, it's just very nice. there is a hint of dark cherry or some other dark fruit i can't put my finger on, but it's buried in malt. very tasty.

M- silky smooth at first, then the carbonation kicks in. it's bites the tongue slightly then washes away. it's not really dry at all, that malt bomb hangs out as long as it wants.

O- first commercial wee heavy i've had since Schell's 2012 Wee Heavy. It's nice, i would have liked a little better head retention to seal the deal, but overall it's almost exactly what I was hoping it would be. I drank it in an oversized wine glass, and I'm gonna try a pint glass and a slightly more aggressive pour to see if that helps the head out. I know I should cellar the rest of the 4 pack i have, but to hell with it, this is delicious. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 02:15:14 | More by scot_chale

merryjoulton

Arkansas

3.64/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This is a nice brew that really packs a punch. No doubt it is cloying. The nose is full of floral and caramel notes that lend well to the style. Mouthfeel is very sweet. Lots of sugar left behind. Overall a big cloying brew... but not in a bad way. Liked it.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 07:51:01 | More by merryjoulton

phishsihq

Colorado

3.6/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big Eddy Wee Heavy actually weighs in at a slightly higher 9.5% ABV, and it continues the series of BIG beers from Leinenkugel's. The beer pours a cola-brown with ruby highlights, a thin tan head, and plenty of lacing. A rich malt nose showcases dark flavors including raisins and molasses, as well as a touch of caramel, toffee, and booze. The sweet maltiness extends to the palate, with the initial flavors reminiscent of toffee, raisins, and syrup. The richness fades to a very slight citrus hop finish and a touch of alcohol warmth noticeable as well. Medium-light in body, this Big Eddy series brew has an elevated amount of carbonation for the style.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 15:56:07 | More by phishsihq

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

While the Big Eddy series are among the best brewed beers (and biggest beers) of the Leinenkuegl family, their stab at Scotish ales shouldn't prove grand results. But after first sip, I must reassess...

Medium brown in color, the beer further pours a semi-dense texture that projects a head of tannish foam and froth. Complementary coloration of deep amber and mahogany. It's foam stance rises quick but dissolves just as quickly.

Rich malty aromas of brown sugar, sorghum, and buckwheat all fill the nose with earthen sweetness of peat, vinous grape, maple syrup, and medium toast. It's rich scent is varying but with light depth of complexity.

Strong sweetness of buckwheat and earthy peat deliver the strong grainy sweetness of sorghum, burnt toffee, cocoa, and coffee grounds., Spicy and smoky peat clouds the taste with an aura of ash and oak. that's similar to tobacco and cigar. Cherry-like esters, chicory, and woodish hops contribute to the beer's complex taste.

Malty-sweet the texture- the beer's supreme residual maltiness steers away from the drying texture of authentic versions and holds onto its rich textures more like a barleywine. Its fatty middle equalsits roundeed malt texture for a long lasting linger of sweet smoked peat that extends well into the next sip.

Though the dry peat taste is moderate and the malt sweetness is lumbering, this beer is indeed complex and strong, and the peat influence is strong- all of which create a sense of power and complexity.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 07:54:33 | More by BEERchitect

BEERWOLF1951

Wisconsin

2.15/5  rDev -42.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Appearance- Deep ruby with thin to no head.

Smell - Sweet with smokey peat.

Taste - Raisens, slight malt, toffee and then the unmistakable peat-smoke flavor, which I am not a fan of. Somewhat clean finish.

Mouthfeel - Thin for the style.

Overall - I would really enjoy this beer if the peat flavor (correct for the style) was less apparent.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 13:47:28 | More by BEERWOLF1951

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Duvel tulip glass.

He's big, but only a wee bit heavy... ...sorry... Anyway, this stuff pours a deep ruby-brown topped by over a finger of khaki foam. The nose comprises light roasted malts, clove, brown sugar, light molasses, a pinch of black pepper, and a smidge of fig. The taste brings in more of the same at the start, but as things progress a definite sense of strong banana weaves its way betwixt all the other flavors. It gets pretty damn strong at times, competing directly with the spicy roast for my tastebuds' attentions and detracting from the overall wee heavy experience. Near the finish, this banana bit starts to appear a bit toasted. The body is a lithe medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a smooth feel. Overall, a decently solid Scotch ale, but one whose banana character holds it down.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 15:09:20 | More by TMoney2591

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A full finger's worth of active fizzy khaki colored head that quickly fades away leaving a mere splotch of lacing in the center of the glass and the slightest of collars... The color is a completely translucent sleek and glossy medium brown... A slight bit of carbonation can be seen moving at varying paces within...

S - A definite malt bomb... Caramel... Loads of toasted malts... A hint of vanilla... Some woody character... A bit of peat... Just the slightest touch of smoke... A bit of brown sugar as well...

T - Caramel... Toffee... Brown sugar... Some light wood and smoke notes... Toasted malts... Bread crust... Some light chocolate notes as well... The finish has notes of dark fruit and cherries... The after taste has a very slight, but not unpleasant medicinal character... Well rounded with nice depth and complexity...

M - Medium to full bodied, but closer to full... A bit sticky... A bit chewy... Even and consistent... Limited carbonation... Sleek...

D - A very nice Wee Heavy here from Leinenkugels... There Big Eddy line of brews has some very nice offerings... This one is a sipper... A nice brew to sit back and unwind with... I would gladly drink again and recommend to fans of the Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy style...

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 02:29:39 | More by philbe311

association330

Michigan

2.35/5  rDev -37.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Pours murky brown with no head

Smells vaguely of toasted malt, but the strongest smell by far is bacon. It's smoky, but it's a "meaty" smokiness. I have no other way of describing it.

Tastes oddly sour, with that same "bacon" finish. I typically hate rauchbier (smoked beer), and this tastes similar.

Mouthfeel is too thin for the style.

I think I might've gotten an infected bottle or a bad batch. Either way, this was pretty nasty, and not a scotch ale I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 17:08:44 | More by association330

matttttYCE

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a tan head, about a finger high, but recedes quickly, leaving a tiny ring around the glass. Slight lace. Color is a murky brown with a purpleish hue.

Very malty aroma, as expected, mostly sweet roasted malt, caramelized, and some light smoke in there, with a good deal of sweetness, molasses, leather, brown sugar, peat notes, toffee, cocoa notes, dark and pitted fruits, hints of tobacco, also hints of caramel apple. Very complex aroma.

A bit less malty than the aroma, more toasted qualities, caramelized malts, molasses, toffee, light smoke and peat notes, tobacco, slight leather, less sweet than the aroma as well, light candy apple, hints at pitted fruits and cocoa notes. Not quite as good as I expected from the nose.

Medium-heavy body, viscous, nearly filmy consistency, low carbonation, and medium length finish, dry, a touch alcohol heat.

Overall not a bad scotch ale / wee heavy. Would definitely drink this again when I'm in the mood. It wasn't amazing by my standards, but it wasn't bad by any means. If you enjoy a big, malty beer I think that this is worth your time, at least once.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 08:11:45 | More by matttttYCE

blatherbeard

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Never had the chance to try the Big Eddy series before so when i saw this one on the shelf i had to grab a 4 pack. I like wee heavys as well, so on with the review!!

(poured from a bottle into a sam adams sensory glass)

Appearance is very good, minimal lacing, decent but not overly heady, nice dark brown color.

Smells great but ive smelled better(and worse!) Good earthy and peat notes for sure.

Taste was above average. Good peaty notes with a nice healthy malt finish.

I thought the mouth was a bit understated. Not watery per se, but just a bit less than i thought it should be. Carbonation was spot on.

Overall i am pleased with my first taste of the big eddy series and look forward to more of them.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 23:22:00 | More by blatherbeard

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Look - dark red in color, clear, but with good carbonation and about a finger's worth of foam that dissipates somewhat quickly.

Smell - interesting malty smell mixed with a caramel or cocoa-like aroma...almost reminds me of a kid's cereal.

Taste - interesting taste too. It's a little on the musky side at first, but then transitions into something with a bit more bite and kick. Still not overwhelming though.

Mouthfeel - pretty well-balanced, but leans just slightly on the watery side.

Overall - not a bad brew at all. It's got a very intriguing palate and complexity to it.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 06:38:33 | More by Nerudamann

zeff80

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a dark burgundy color with a one-finger, white head of foam. It left thin trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of smoke and peat. Great earthy notes.

T - It tasted of smoked malt, peat, toffee and some caramel. A touch of bitterness added some bite.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish and a warm alcohol presence.

O - This is a nice wee heavy. The Big Eddy series is pretty good.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 02:45:44 | More by zeff80