Scottish Ales: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy
Notes: Pleasant, low level oxidation is acceptable in Scotch Ales. Examples exhibiting more prevalent oxidation are categorized as Aged Beer. While there are conflicting theories as to whether traditional Scotch Ales exhibited peat smoke character, the current marketplace offers many examples with peat smoke character present at low to medium levels. Peat smoke attributes may be absent or present at low to medium levels. Versions exhibiting higher levels of smoke character are categorized as Smoke Beer. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, competition organizers may create subcategories which reflect groups of entries based on presence or absence of peat smoke-derived attributes.
- Color: Light reddish-brown to very dark
- Clarity: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
- Malt Profile: Scotch Ales are aggressively malty with a rich and dominant sweet malt aroma and flavor. A caramel character is often part of the profile. Dark roasted malt flavors may be present at low levels.
- Hop Profile: Not present to very low
- Bitterness: Not present to very low
- Fermentation: Fruity esters, if present, are generally at low levels. Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at low levels.
- Body: Full
- ABV: 6.6%-8.5%
- ABW: 5.2%-6.7%
- IBU: 25-35
- Color (SRM): 15-30
- Color (EBC): 30-60
- Original Gravity: 1.072-1.085
- Original Gravity °P: 17.5-20.4
- Final Gravity: 1.016-1.028
- Final Gravity °P: 4.1-7.1
Style info provided entirely or in part by the Brewers Association 2021 beer style guidelines.
- 9.22 Backwoods Bastard by Founders Brewing Company
- 9.06 Highway 78 Scotch Ale by Stone Brewing Company
- 9.00 Robert the Bruce by Three Floyds Brewing Company
- 9.00 Sheep Eater Scotch Ale by Grand Teton Brewing Company
- 9.00 Warped Speed Scotch Ale by Lake Louie Brewing
- 8.94 Shaggin' In The Wood by Tyranena Brewing Company
- 8.70 Slainte by Central Waters Brewing Company
- 8.70 Wet Willy Scotch Ale by New England Brewing Company