Sequoia Brewing 'Scotch Pine' Wee Heavy Ale. 10.5% abv. Dark brown-red color with thin beige head. Moderate retention, nice lace. Nose of caramel, sweet bread. Front taste of toffee, tangy light dried fruit, brown sugar. Aftertaste of nuts, treacle, smoked wood notes, dank herbal, alcohol. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, sticky, astringent.

This is a fine Scotch ale with a bit of bite and a touch more complexity that most in its genre. Part of what makes this a wee heavy is its low hop presence coupled with its high gravity, producing a smooth booziness that shines in the aftertaste.

As with all Scotch ales, this one is malty and slightly nutty, though it's sweeter than most, with flavors of caramel, warm brown sugar, and treacle over a slight dried fruit undertone. It's a nice treat that tastes like a dessert beer. Just be careful of how many you drink. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Wee Heavy is the name used in Scotland to describe this style of strong Scottish ale. Our Scotch Pine is a rich, malty ale brewed with imported Scottish malts. It has a full smooth body with a carmelized smokey complexity achieved from special brewing techniques used in producing this beer."

[source: sequoiabrewing.com]

Schubros Brewery 'Inverness' Bourbon Barrel Wee Heavy. Passport Series 2015. 11.7% abv. Black in color. Thin tan head. Moderate retention and low lacing. Nose of oak, sweet malt, dark fruit, earth. Front taste of bittersweet fruit, dark malt, plums. Aftertaste of bourbon, pungent dark fruit, currants, fruity hops. Full body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, thick, grainy.

This is an extraordinary beer. The barrel aging is present starting in the aroma on through to the aftertaste. The flavors of rich malt, dark fruit, and fruity bitter hops blend together with that woodsy bourbon backbone. Outstanding. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Right on the heels of the overwhelmingly successful Kirov Russian Imperial Stout, Schubros has released Inverness—a Scottish-style Wee Heavy and the latest addition to our Passport Series. Aged in bourbon barrels, this beer is surprisingly smooth with just the right amount of sweetness. Though at a whopping 11.7% ABV, you may have to remind yourself not to go a wee overboard. The Schubros Passport series has been a tradition since 2013 with the release of Saméon, a French-style Saison. Traditionally packaged in 750mL champagne bottles, sealed with wax, and topped off with a hand-tied tag, these limited brews are as elegant in style as they are in taste. Already boasting over four stars on Untappd, Inverness has proven itself as a craft-crowd favorite. In fact, the response from the release party on April 25th was irrefutably positive. Inverness is available for purchase in both bottles and growlers at the Schubros taproom as well as local businesses throughout the Bay Area. Not convinced? Stop by the brewery and order yourself a glass. You won't be disappointed."

[source: schubrosbrewery.com]

"Deep brown with ruby highlights, Inverness is a bourbon barrel aged Scottish-style ale that boasts rich malty flavors of dried fruit and honey."
[source: bottle]