Scotch Ale

Sometimes known as “kettle caramelization,” the Maillard richness of a boil reduction can add deeper malt flavor to any beer you brew—even if it’s not Scottish.

Forget what you think you know about Scottish “wee heavy.” Courtesy of founder Gareth Young, this is Glasgow-based Epochal’s historically rooted take on a strong stock ale: huge, heavily hopped, and matured for months with hops and Brettanomyces.

You think you know Scotch ales? Based in Glasgow, Epochal Barrel Fermented Ales specializes in mixed-culture beers matured in oak, inspired by Scottish brewing tradition. Here, founder and brewer Gareth Young explains the surprising history and process.

From his Make Your Best style series, try this recipe for Josh Weikert's "Headsplitter"—a richly malted strong Scotch ale, a.k.a. wee heavy (hold the peat).

Here is a homebrew-scale recipe for Kilt Lifter, a versatile, ruby-amber, richly malted ale with notes of caramel, toffee, and just a whisper of peat smoke—and the top-seller at Pike Brewing in Seattle, Washington.

A rich and malty, brown elixir that spawned Kettlehouse Brewing's best seller Cold Smoke® Scotch Ale