Try?
2016 is really starting off with a bang for me as I’ve been trying a number of beers from breweries that are new to me, if not necessarily new. So far, they are coming mostly from the south: my home state of Georgia and also Tennessee and Virginia thanks to travel and beer trades. Today’s new beer and brewery: Wild Wolf Wee Heavy from the Wild Wolf Brewing Company of Nellysford, Virginia.
Wild Wolf is an interesting brewery. Named for their brewer, Danny Wolf, they even have their own Cascade hop garden where they brew some of the hops used in their beer. Their wee heavy is a bit interesting in that it doesn’t fit the usual parameters of a Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale, but is more in line with an 80 Shilling/Scottish Ale.
Interestingly, I just tried the revival bottling of Samuel Adams Scotch Ale, which is surprisingly similar in that it is also smoky and under strength for a “Scotch Ale”. I enjoyed both beers, and can certainly allow them a bit of poetic license (or perhaps stylistic license) when the beers are as good as these two are.
From the can label:
Our Scottish style brown ale is deep brown in color – just take a smell of this beautiful beer and you will see why it is Scottish in style. Strong notes of roasted caramel malt & finishing with a touch of smoke. Very reminiscent of the best scotches. The taste will leave you wanting more!
Wild Wolf Wee Heavy has an alcohol content of 5.7% by volume with 20 IBUs. Total Wine sells it for $10.49 a six-pack in Virginia, though not here in Georgia. Thanks to the ever gracious Chuck Triplett for sending me this tasty brew.
Wild Wolf Wee Heavy pours to a beautiful ruby red color with a medium sized head of creamy foam and a delicious nose of toffee and smoke. Taking a sip the beer has luscious soft toffee and treacle up front with hints of candied fruit and a soft subtle smokiness that really defines the beer into the slightly sweet, gently sticky finish. I’d like a little more alcohol in a wee heavy, but that’s nit-picking because the smoke here is just soft and amazing, permeating the brew with a sublime subtle omnipresence.
Would I buy it if I had the chance? You bet I would.
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
