This is the first article in a new series of posts, where I will periodically choose a section from the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) style guidelines , write about the style, and then drink and publish my tasting notes from some of the commercial examples given by the BJCP. Now, I'm not sure if I will ever actually take the exam to become a beer judge, but I think this will be a fun exercise to learn more about beer!





Fair warning, I will not be doing the sections of the BJCP style guidelines in any sort of order. Whichever kinds of beer I am craving is what I will be writing about!





Strong Scotch Ales (also known as Wee Heavy) comprise sub-category 9E in the BJCP style guidelines. They range between 6.5% and 10.0% ABV, and have a light copper to dark brown appearance. Obviously, strong scotch ales are all about showcasing the malt. While studying this style, I found it quite interesting that the brewers ferment out the wort at cooler temperatures than other ales, and for longer periods of time. I suppose this helps to bring out the flavors of the malt even more. Flavors can be earthy, smoky, and/or caramel-like.





The BJCP offers up these beers as commercial examples of the strong scotch ale style (the beers in bold are the ones I will highlight below):





Traquair House Ale, Belhaven Wee Heavy, McEwan's Scotch Ale, Founders Dirty Bastard, MacAndrew's Scotch Ale, AleSmith Wee Heavy, Orkney Skull Splitter, Inveralmond Black Friar, Broughton Old Jock, Gordon Highland Scotch Ale, Dragonmead Under the Kilt





House Ale

7.2% ABV

Traquair House Ale

Appearance : Deep brown with hints of red. A little more than a finger width of off-white head.

Aroma : Sweet malt, vanilla and a touch of alcohol.

Flavor : Very similar to aroma. Not at all smoky. More earthy.

Mouthfeel : Very smooth, almost milky. Full bodied at first, but loses some body as the beer warms.

Overall : Quite good. I don't say this often, but try to drink it when it's still a bit cool.

Beer Portfolio links : Traquair House Brewery / House Ale









Wee Heavy

6.5% ABV

Belhaven Brewery Wee Heavy

Appearance : Brown with a small off-white head

Aroma : Caramel

Flavor : Smooth malty flavor. More earthy than smoky.

Mouthfeel : Full bodied but very drinkable. Only a light enough carbonation to make the beer dance against my tongue.