Day 13: Blackfriar

 

Blackfriar

Origin: The Inveralmond Brewery (Perth, Scotland, UK)

Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not Listed

Description: When I remembered about this blog “homework” assignment I was in the middle of watching a documentary on the origins of sea shanties, traditional working songs sung aboard various types of ships in the Golden Age of sailing. So off to the kitchen and out of the packaging I pulled the Blackfriar from The Inveralmond Brewey of Perth, Scotland. The match between the two was serendipitous.

You see, the Wee Heavy style of beer is the type of brew a calloused handed fisherman, or a home bound navy crewmen would crave from the first pub ashore. A form of pale ale characterised by a caramelized malty forward heaviness, they are warming, filling and satisfying. This Blackfriar is a slightly mild version of the style, but it displays itself proudly as an example of a Scotch Ale. Closing my eyes, I could perfectly picture swinging a pint of this beverage while bellowing a sea shanty with the boys at the pub.

Poured as a deep hue of amber with copper highlights in the edges, the colour was beautifully appealing. A fairly calm beige head rimmed the glass while sweet wafts of caramel and toffee overcame the subdued hops aromas. These types of beers should be consumed at almost room temperature which will really change the flavour profile quite substantially, so I sipped lightly at my glass while resting it in both hands. As the temperature rises, the notes of plum, caramel and prune really start to come alive. When I drink a Scotch Ale, I unconsciously slow down to a crawl as I near the bottom of the glass, because it really satisfies until the last drop.

It’s a perfect time for this style of beer, especially with the mild beginnings of a Vancouver winter. I find the late Autumn really relates to Wee Heavy’s as a bridge between the lighter beers driven by hops in the summertime and the dark, rich styles that follow into the darker months. There are quite a few good examples on store shelves right now, but my favourites are the Persephone Wee Heavy, Spinnakers Keg Tosser Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, and the Wolf Brewing Scotch Ale.

If you feel inclined to pick a few up, stop by the grocery store and get a nice cut of meat to grill with some potatoes, or a roast beef sandwich. The two will go really well together. But please, if you’re feeling inspired to belt out a sea shanty or two while consuming a Wee Heavy, please finish chewing first. No need to copy those naval table manners. -C.L.