Mould's Beer Blog

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 temp...

Hey all, thanks for coming by!  Since my last post, I went out jogging once.  I did 1 mile in a little more than 11 minutes.  Not very quick, but it felt good.  I can't wait to get back out again!   Tonight I am drinking Weehawken Wee Heavy from New Jersey Beer Co.  I picked this beer up at the brewery in North Bergen, NJ while visiting for a tour and tasting .   Weehawken Wee Heavy New Jersey Beer Co. Wee Heavy / Scotch Ale ~ 8.5% ABV 12 oz. bottle poured into my Dogfish Head signature glass NJ Beer Co. Weehawken Wee Heavy     Weehawken Wee Heavy pours a deep, dark brown color.  Quite close to black.  Only a small off-white head developed, and it didn't last for long.  There is little lacing to speak of.  The aroma begins with smoked malt and dark fruits.  As the Wee Heavy warms, a slight chocolate aroma arrives.  I'm drinking this beer slow, so as to let the maximum amount o...

I've been reviewing quite a bit of beers recently from Atlantic Brewing Company.  A very solid brewery, you can find links to my reviews of their blueberry ale, S.O.B., and Coal Porter at the end of this write up.  Tonight I'm sipping on their MacFoochie's Scottish Ale and watching Urban Legend  on TV.  Gotta love cheesy '90s thrillers! MacFoochie's Scottish Ale poured black into my wine glass.  Very little head to speak of, and as I drink, there is no lacing left on the glass.  It has a very smooth, silky appearance.  In the aroma, I smell roasted malt, caramel and smoke.  The smoke might be a figment of my imagination though.  I know it's supposed to be in there, because it's a scottish ale, but I'm definitely not getting a lot of the smoke in this one.  The mouthfeel on the MacFoochie's is very smooth and a bit thin.  Lots of roasted malts and more smoke comes through in the flavor.     Overall :  A good b...