Alesmith is one of at least three or four great American breweries located in and around San Diego (Port/Lost Abbey, Green Flash, and Ballast Point being the others, and I’m sure many others would add Stone to this list). Out here in Brooklyn, the bars and beer shops typically get Alesmith shipments two or three times a year. As a result, I tend to get a bit excited when I see a line of foil-topped 750 mL bottles on the shelf at my favorite boozing spots.
The Alesmith Wee Heavy is billed as a “Scotch Style Ale”, which traditionally means a beer that is deep brown and enormously malty. Alesmith delivers. This beer is huge. With one of the thickest mouthfeels I have found in a beer, the Alesmith Wee Heavy embodies the idea of beer being liquid bread. Malt appears in the aroma and never lets up through the entire drinking experience. A little bit boozy, but then this is 10% ABV. Very light hop profile. I could swear there is a bit of peaty smokiness in there as well, but that may just be the power of suggestion (Scotch whisky coming to mind).
Recommended, especially if you find yourself sitting at home on a cool evening looking to pass a couple hours sipping at a fine beer.