BJCP 17C · Strong British Ale
Wee Heavy
A very strong, rich Scottish ale with caramelized malt, toffee and dried fruit, few hops and warming alcohol. Rich, sweet and meant for slow sipping.
Wee Heavy by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 6.5 – 10.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 17 – 35 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 14 – 25 SRM28–49 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.070 – 1.130on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.018 – 1.040on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Wee Heavy is like
A very strong, rich, malty Scottish ale with caramel, toffee and dried fruit. The hops are barely noticeable and the alcohol adds warmth without harshness.
Appearance
Light copper to dark brown, often with ruby highlights, and clear. Tan head with moderate retention that may fade because of the alcohol.
Aroma
Intense malt with caramel, toffee and sometimes light roast, dried fruit and alcohol. May have a faint smoky note from the malt, but never strong peat.
Flavor
Very rich malt with caramel, toffee, toasted bread and dried fruit. Low bitterness, a sweet finish and alcohol warmth.
Mouthfeel
Medium-full to full body, sometimes thick and chewy. Low to moderate carbonation and obvious warmth.
Where Wee Heavy comes from
It's the strong version of the Scottish ales, the 90-shilling or higher on the old pricing scale. It has survived as a winter beer and a beer for aging.
Ingredients
Scottish pale ale malt with crystal and a small amount of roasted barley or dark malt for color. Very little English hops and a clean Scottish yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Wee Heavy at home
To build caramel, you can boil down the first few liters of wort separately until they thicken. Ferment at 15-17 °C (59-63 °F) with a large, well-oxygenated pitch and let it mature for several months. Don't use peat-smoked malt; it's not part of the style.
Food pairing
Goes well with braised lamb, blue cheeses or toffee pudding.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- Traquair House Ale
- Belhaven Wee Heavy
- Orkney Skull Splitter
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Wee Heavy?
Between 6.5% and 10.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a very high strength.
How bitter is Wee Heavy?
It has 17 to 35 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Wee Heavy?
Copper to dark brown: 14 to 25 SRM (28 to 49 EBC).
What food pairs well with Wee Heavy?
Goes well with braised lamb, blue cheeses or toffee pudding.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Scottish Export, English Barley Wine and Old Ale.
If you like Wee Heavy, try these
Classification and statistics: official Wee Heavy guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.