Big Eddy Wee Heavy Scotch Ale - Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

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

tdm168

North Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Wine 101 in Wake Forest.

A - poured a dark brownish amber with a big, dense, thick, brown head that has great retention

S - heavy apple aroma with some faint caramel

T - a bit sweet, a hint of sugar, faint caramel, big apple fruitiness

M - medium bodied, smooth, a bit crisp

This is a mediocre Scotch Ale. The apple notes are intense in both aroma and flavor. It's much better than the usual Leinenkugal offerings, but I probably wouldn't have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2012 10:45:19 | More by tdm168

Phelps

Arizona

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

Enjoyed at Tops in a tasting snifter.

Cola-brown with good clarity, sparkling crimson where the light hits it. No head at all.

Sweet aroma. Tons of caramel, sugared dried apples, a hint of peat and alcohol.

Much more toast and peat in the flavor, which work really well with the deeply caramelized malts. Caramel, a little apple, toast, peat. Sweet and rich through the swallow. Good stuff.

Smooth medium body with moderate pinching carbonation. Just a little fizz as it moves. Alcohol is like pepper heat on the tongue and lingers long after the swallow.

A solid scotch ale. Displays the all-important smokiness. I enjoy it much more than the other Big Eddys.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2012 18:22:30 | More by Phelps

oberon

North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap yesterday at Tyler's in Durham.Poured a deep amber-brown with a nice sticky 1/2 finger off white head,nice color defination and a nice head to the pour.Alot of caramel in the nose it seemed to dominate a bit,lighter dark fruit and even a little faint wood/smoke wich was nice.Caramel toffee/butterscotch flavors abound wich isn't really a bad thing but it was dominant,there is a decent woody/earthy notes in the finish.My first Big Eddy try and I thought it was pretty good,a little sweet but not bad.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2012 20:46:57 | More by oberon

homebrew311

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap in a snifter at Lucky Monk. Appearance is a deep red/brown with minimal head and lacing the nose features sweet molasses and caramel. Zero hop character present, a hint of smokiness present. Taste is very sweet with some candied fruit, caramel, toffee, and a touch of breadiness. The mouthfeel is light and thin, seems off for the style and abv. Overall, this is a lackluster wee heavy. The flavor is minimal and watered down, this certainly does not meet the level of quality that the Big Eddy RIS.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2012 00:13:36 | More by homebrew311

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Wee Heavy Scotch Ale poured a darker brown color, with nice sized head that quickly disapated. The smell was a bit lighter, and a little boozy. The taste had a nice sharp bite, and notes of black licorice, but was a bit watery. Flavor could have been fuller, but wasn't too watery. Overall not a bad beer, better then other lenienkugel beers.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 23:18:50 | More by vette2006c5r

Mora2000

Texas

4.23/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Big Texas Beer Fest.

The beer pours a medium brown with a tan head. The aroma is very nice and exactly what I want in a wee heavy. I get a lot of dark fruit and some peet malt, as well as some caramel and some alcohol. The flavor is more of the same. The alcohol and dark fruit notes are dominant, with the caramel and toffee malt and a little bit of smoke hiding in the background. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 02:25:37 | More by Mora2000

Brenden

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Looking like a Wee Heavy, this beer is a red-brown color, completely clear. Off the tap, it forms a smallish light tan head that retains itself pretty well but does fade, dropping some legs as well as spotty lace.
Caramel and dark fruits show in an appropriately malt-heavy beer. Alcohol isn't shy. While big, the aroma isn't quite as complex as the flavor until it's allowed to sit and open up, when the peat and smoke-like characters, as well as a light banana note under the ripened dark fruits and caramel sweetness, are allowed to come out. In the flavor, the light smokiness sits gently and pleasantly underneath every sip. Alcohol, while strong, avoids going fusel.
The body is medium with enough going on to stay interesting. It's a bit smooth but not completely, with a touch of a crisp note just in the front. It goes just a touch thinnish, likely from the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2012 16:40:48 | More by Brenden

WVbeergeek

Ohio

1.8/5  rDev -51.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

The hard part to get over is Leinenkugel's is making craft style ales that are up nearing 10% abv yet they pour like fizzy yellow carbonated beers. The color is nailed a deep ruby nearly mahogany body with a light khaki head forming thick, and dwindling and fading fast, specks of lace are said...this beer misses the boat on appearance. Aroma has tart fruit notes, dark ripened raisins a bit of booze marinating those plump jewels of shriveled grape. Definite caramel notes a hint of smoked malts, and a tart apple cider lingering quality in each sniff. Flavor harsh acidic grape juice with ripened raisins and fake oak chips with a strong booze overriding the whole experience, each sip makes want to gag, this is truly the worst pseudo craft sin I've come across yet I will drink a six pack of the Anheuser Busch Wild Blue before I ever reach for this again. I honestly have a headache from the first sip, drain pour with a capital D, get out of here cloying gag inducing sips of unrefined malt sugars floating around in a watery substance. Prolonged alcohol burn in each sip, burns the back of your throat down to your gut. Overall get out of dodge stay the fuck away from this beer, please do not enter...truly horrible creation and a sorry excuse for any beer let alone something attempting to be a craft beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2012 03:05:21 | More by WVbeergeek

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

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