Try?
I know what
you're thinking. North Carolina's Duck-Rabbit Brewery was a co-operative
effort founded by none other than Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, a happy
accident that resulted from a few too many Carrot Porters and a seriously
misguided left turn at Albuquerque. Such is not the case, however, and I can
assure you that the Dark Beer Specialists, as Duck-Rabbit has come to be
known, are a serious concern indeed.
I'm beginning to think that the Strong Beer Specialists might be an equally fitting moniker for our friends in Farmington, since Duck Rabbit produces such formidable brews as a barleywine, an imperial stout, a Baltic porter, and the beer I'm sipping tonight, Duck-Rabbit Wee Heavy Scotch Style Ale.
Scotch Ales (not to be confused with Scottish Ales) are called Wee Heavy for a reason: these are formidable beers with massive quantities of malt and a hefty alcohol kick; Duck Rabbit's version weighs in at 8% alcohol by volume, more than half again as strong as the average brew.
Scotch ales even have their own special glass, a unique and peculiar glass shaped like a thistle. It has the unique ability to channel the beer into the bulbous bottom while focusing the head at the top of the expanding mouth. I've poured my bottle of Duck Rabbit's Scotch Ale into just such a glass this evening.
Duck Rabbit Wee-Heavy Scotch Style Ale pours to a brilliant ruby brown color with a very light head formation and a sinfully sweet malt nose. The body is definitely syrupy, sticky and sweet and absolutely chock full of malty goodness. So far so good; Scotch ales are supposed to be like this. The sweetness is obvious in the palate, accented wonderfully by luscious dark fruit notes of raisin and prune. A little chocolate peeks through, too, some molasses, toffee, and a hint of toasted nuts.
Lots of times beer geeks are looking for hop bitterness as a balance in the finish, but I'm not really after that in this style. I want a sweet finish, and one definitely gets that here, balanced more by a warming and slightly drying alcohol burn than by the hops, which just don't stand a chance against all that malt.
This is a perfect cold weather beer. I just love sipping warming treats like this on a chilly night, and as we're plunged into the thirties here in Atlanta tonight, Duck Rabbit's Wee Heavy made for a real treat out on the patio as I reveled in the cold. But it would serve just as well by the fireplace while you're wrapped in a toasty blanket, preferably after a hearty meal.
A bit on the pricey side at $12 a six-pack, but well worth it.
I'm beginning to think that the Strong Beer Specialists might be an equally fitting moniker for our friends in Farmington, since Duck Rabbit produces such formidable brews as a barleywine, an imperial stout, a Baltic porter, and the beer I'm sipping tonight, Duck-Rabbit Wee Heavy Scotch Style Ale.
Scotch Ales (not to be confused with Scottish Ales) are called Wee Heavy for a reason: these are formidable beers with massive quantities of malt and a hefty alcohol kick; Duck Rabbit's version weighs in at 8% alcohol by volume, more than half again as strong as the average brew.
Scotch ales even have their own special glass, a unique and peculiar glass shaped like a thistle. It has the unique ability to channel the beer into the bulbous bottom while focusing the head at the top of the expanding mouth. I've poured my bottle of Duck Rabbit's Scotch Ale into just such a glass this evening.
Duck Rabbit Wee-Heavy Scotch Style Ale pours to a brilliant ruby brown color with a very light head formation and a sinfully sweet malt nose. The body is definitely syrupy, sticky and sweet and absolutely chock full of malty goodness. So far so good; Scotch ales are supposed to be like this. The sweetness is obvious in the palate, accented wonderfully by luscious dark fruit notes of raisin and prune. A little chocolate peeks through, too, some molasses, toffee, and a hint of toasted nuts.
Lots of times beer geeks are looking for hop bitterness as a balance in the finish, but I'm not really after that in this style. I want a sweet finish, and one definitely gets that here, balanced more by a warming and slightly drying alcohol burn than by the hops, which just don't stand a chance against all that malt.
This is a perfect cold weather beer. I just love sipping warming treats like this on a chilly night, and as we're plunged into the thirties here in Atlanta tonight, Duck Rabbit's Wee Heavy made for a real treat out on the patio as I reveled in the cold. But it would serve just as well by the fireplace while you're wrapped in a toasty blanket, preferably after a hearty meal.
A bit on the pricey side at $12 a six-pack, but well worth it.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
