Drinking aStoch Ale (or Wee Heavy) is like drinking a piece of history. Because this beer style dates back to when men lived in caves. (we already made beer at that time)
If you want to know more about this ancient (and important) recipe, keep reading this article. From prehistory to your glass, with Beer Sapiens !
Scotch Ale: the brewing style with the most history?
Scotland has always had a long brewing tradition, going back to the Metal Age. There is archaeological evidence of remains of beer, on a piece of pottery discovered in Balfarg, in the Fife region of Scotland. These fragments are estimated to be between 4,000 and 6,000 years old.
A little more modern are other remains of vessels, from 2000 BC, where not only the beer is clearly identified, but also its recipe: traces of grain, honey and heather confirm that it was a Heather Ale , the beer Scottish ancestral wine , made with the native heather of the region.
The manufacture of beer continued throughout the centuries, until entering, in the Middle Ages, in the abbeys and monasteries. But it was also made at home, within the domestic sphere, with the women being the owners and mistresses of the recipe. They were the “ brewsterwives ”, each with their own recipe for gruit cereals and herbs.
In the 14th century the first public breweries began to emerge. And shortly thereafter Glasgow and Edinburgh became centers of intense brewing activity. In the 19th century, Scotland was already a major exporter of beer.
Wee Heavy or Scotch Ale: the origin of the name
This style has a name with a very curious story behind it. As we have told you, Scotland was a beer-exporting country. But they still didn't have a definite name, they were “just” “Ales”. What differentiated them was their alcohol content: the more alcohol, the more expensive. The price was marked on the barrels, ranging from the cheapest, the Light at 60 shillings, to the most expensive, the Export at 80 shillings. A century later a new recipe appeared, with more alcohol content: the Wee, for 90 shillings.
This beer was successful, and in the United States it began to be called Scotch Ale . To simplify.
Scotch Ale Style Characteristics
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Modern Scotch Ale has a smoky character. A characteristic probably inherited from the American taste for the inherent smokiness of Scotch single malt.
- In general, this style has a color that varies from a pinkish copper to a deep dark brown, often endowed with reddish reflections. They generally have good transparency. Look at the crown of foam that is formed when serving it: at first it is thick, but it does not last long, since the high alcohol content does not facilitate its retention.
- On the nose, you will find a strong smell of malt with a slight touch of caramel. Hop aromas are generally low intensity, if any, and should have a floral, or perhaps earthy, character with more depth. You may also find dark fruit odors, such as plum, due to the fruity esters.
- On the palate, they are beers with a body between medium and high or very high. Some are characterized by a sensation of volume and meatiness in the mouth, which makes them seem chewy. And of course, the alcohol shows in the drink.
3 Scotch Ales that you have to try (and their perfect pairings)
These beers , with a high degree of alcohol, are especially suitable for drinking during meals. And more if they are hearty dishes and rich in fat. The more intense, fattier and tastier the dish (or even the dessert) is, the better it will combine with this type of beers.
We leave you here three Scotch Ales or Wee heavy that we love, as always, from national brewers, and a suggestion of starter, main course and dessert to accompany it.
- We start with the Domus Summa Scotch Honey Ale , with an ABV of 7.2%. This Wee Heavy is made with honey from the mountains of Toledo, and for this reason it is the perfect companion for a table of fatty cheeses and sausages.
- With the main course, a delicious lamb stew with mint, we recommend Scone's Scotch Ale . A very generous toasted beer that combines sweet notes with dried fruit and herbal notes.
- To finish, a strong and sweet dessert: toffee flan, to accompany the Bearded Vulture Barbatus Strong Scotch Ale . With 7.5% alcohol and this name, who dares with her?