Scottish Heavy

Scottish Heavy, traditionally known as "70/-" (shillings), is a distinctive type of ale emerging from the Scottish brewing heritage. The style represents a middle ground in the spectrum of Scottish ales, being more substantial than the lighter Scottish Light but less intense than the robust Scottish Export. These ales are brewed to showcase local ingredients and are known for their malt-focused profile, with hops playing a very minor role.

Scottish Heavy bears an inviting look, ranging from light copper to dark brown hues. A modest head crowns the beer, often with a creamy texture that may not persist due to lower carbonation levels. Clarity is generally good unless unfiltered, which can lend some haze to its presentation. When it comes to flavor and aroma, expect a pronounced caramel character from the use of crystal malts or kettle caramelization. Malt expressions dominate with notes of toast and perhaps slight roasty undertones depending on the specific grain bill used. Peaty or smoky qualities can be present but should never overwhelm the malt profile; they stem from traditional practices like using peat-smoked malt, although this isn't as common today. The bitterness is low to moderate at most - just enough to provide balance without becoming a defining feature. Hops contribute very little to its flavor and aroma profiles – sometimes earthy or floral nuances can be detected subtly behind the malt flavors. Despite these rich tastes, these beers remain relatively light-bodied and easily drinkable with typically modest alcohol content.

This style shares similarities with other beers within its regional family – all dedicated to emphasizing malt over hops while accounting for differences in strength and richness among them. It stands between its siblings in context of complexity and depth of flavor, displaying characteristics influenced by historical taxation laws based on alcohol content which segmented it into various shilling categories such as "60/-" (Light), "70/-" (Heavy), and "80/-" (Export).