Top Ten Barrel Aged Scotch Ales Brewed in America
This Top Ten List of Barrel-Aged Scotch Ales is based on the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup , and Untappd. The top 10 barrel-aged Scotch Ales are traditional strong Scotch Ales that have been aged for a period of time in a wooden barrel with an Alcohol by Volume: 6.5 – 12% and IBU: 25-35.
1) Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy – AleSmith Brewing Company
AleSmith Brewing Company’s Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy is a masterful take on the traditional Scotch Ale style, rich with caramel, toffee, and dark fruit notes, elevated by extended aging in premium bourbon barrels that impart smooth vanilla, oak, and warming bourbon character. This highly acclaimed limited-release beer, often scoring around 4.3 on Untappd, exemplifies San Diego’s craft beer excellence and has earned multiple awards for its balanced depth and complexity. Founded in 1995, AleSmith is one of California’s most respected breweries, known for precision-crafted ales in a spacious, modern tasting room.
Address: 9990 AleSmith Court, San Diego, CA 92126
Website: https://alesmith.com/
2) Barrel-Aged 1314 – Black Tooth Brewing Company
Black Tooth Brewing Company’s Barrel-Aged 1314 is a richly malted Scotch Ale enhanced by barrel aging, offering deep caramel and toffee flavors with subtle oak and whiskey undertones for a smooth, warming finish. This award-winning brew from Wyoming’s craft scene captures the essence of a traditional Wee Heavy with elevated sophistication. Established in Sheridan, Black Tooth has built a loyal following for its quality beers in a welcoming, community-focused taproom.
Address: 312 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801
Website: https://www.blacktoothbrewingcompany.com/
3) Backwoods Bastard – Founders Brewing Company
Founders Brewing Company’s Backwoods Bastard is an iconic bourbon barrel-aged Scotch Ale that blends robust malty sweetness with smoky, oaky bourbon notes, delivering flavors of caramel, vanilla, dark fruit, and a subtle earthy spice. Clocking in at around 11% ABV with a solid 4.1 Untappd rating, this bold, sippable “bastard” of a Wee Heavy has become a year-round favorite for its warming complexity and perfect barrel integration. Founded in 1997 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is renowned for pushing boundaries with flavorful, approachable craft beers in a vibrant taproom setting.
Address: 235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Website: https://foundersbrewing.com/
4) Damebier (Barrel-Aged Variants) – Cherry Street Brewing
Cherry Street Brewing’s Damebier, in its various barrel-aged iterations (often bourbon or specialty barrels like Old Elk), is a standout Wee Heavy with lush malt character, notes of caramel, dried fruit, and integrated barrel flavors of vanilla and oak. Frequently medaling in competitions like the U.S. Open Beer Championship, this beer showcases the Georgia brewery’s expertise in bold, flavorful ales. Cherry Street, with locations in Cumming and Alpharetta, is a beloved neighborhood brewpub known for award-winning beers paired with elevated pub fare.
Address: 5810 Bond St, Cumming, GA 30040 (Vickery Village location)
Website: https://cherrystreetbrewing.com/
5) Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt – Monday Night Brewing
Monday Night Brewing’s Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt takes their signature Scotch Ale to new heights with bourbon barrel aging, layering rich malt, toffee, and subtle smoke with vanilla, oak, and warming bourbon notes for a luxurious sip. This medal-winning release highlights the Atlanta brewery’s creative approach to balanced, weeknight-friendly beers. Founded with a “weekends are overrated” ethos, Monday Night has grown into a multi-location powerhouse with vibrant taprooms.
Address: 670 Trabert Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Website: https://mondaynightbrewing.com/
6) Barrel-Aged Higher Consciousness – Third Eye Brewing Company
Third Eye Brewing Company’s Barrel-Aged Higher Consciousness elevates their award-winning base Wee Heavy with barrel aging, delivering intense caramel, toffee, and dark fruit alongside oak, vanilla, and spirit complexity. A frequent medalist, including silvers at the U.S. Open, this beer reflects the Ohio brewery’s experimental yet precise style. Third Eye, with locations in Sharonville and Hamilton, is celebrated for pushing boundaries and earning top honors like GABF Brewery of the Year.
Address: 11276 Chester Rd, Sharonville, OH 45246
Website: https://thirdeyebrewingco.com/
7) Knights of Windsor – O.H.S.O. Brewery
O.H.S.O. Brewery’s Knights of Windsor is a gold medal-winning barrel-aged Strong Scotch Ale bursting with malty richness, caramel, and seamless bourbon barrel notes of oak and vanilla. This standout from Arizona’s dog-friendly brewery chain captures the style’s depth with approachable warmth. O.H.S.O. (Outrageous Homebrewer’s Social Outpost) operates multiple lively locations across the Phoenix area, blending great beer, food, and community vibes.
Address: Multiple locations (e.g., 4900 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018 – Arcadia)
Website: https://www.ohsobrewery.com/
8) Old Chungus (Bourbon Barrel-Aged) – Confluence Brewing Company
Confluence Brewing Company’s Old Chungus is a bourbon barrel-aged Wee Heavy that took gold in the 2025 U.S. Open, offering bold malt sweetness, toffee, and deep barrel-derived vanilla and oak for a robust, satisfying profile. This Des Moines gem embodies Iowa craft beer’s honest, flavorful spirit. Confluence, founded in 2012, is a community staple with a spacious taproom overlooking the brewing operations.
Address: 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Website: https://www.confluencebrewing.com/
9) Bourbon Barrel-Aged Fat Scotch Ale – Silver City Brewery
Silver City Brewery’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Fat Scotch Ale amplifies their classic “Fat” Wee Heavy with bourbon barrels, adding layers of vanilla, oak, and warmth to the already hefty caramel, toffee, and malt backbone. A Pacific Northwest favorite, this beer highlights the brewery’s longstanding commitment to quality. Since 1996, Silver City has been a Kitsap County icon with a production facility and taproom in Bremerton.
Address: 206 Katy Penman Ave, Bremerton, WA 98312 (Taproom)
Website: https://www.silvercity.beer/
Wulver Wee Heavy (Barrel-Aged) – Thirsty Dog Brewing Company
Thirsty Dog Brewing Company’s Barrel-Aged Wulver is a bourbon-infused Wee Heavy with rich toffee, caramel, and dark fruit notes beautifully complemented by oak and vanilla from the barrels. Frequently praised on “best of” lists, this Akron brew captures the style’s bold essence. Thirsty Dog, brewing since 1997, offers diverse beers in a classic taproom setting.
Address: 529 Grant St, Akron, OH 44311
Website: https://thirstydog.com/
History of Barrel Aged Scotch Ales
Scotch ales, also known as “wee heavy,” trace their origins to Scotland, where strong, malty beers emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. These ales were brewed with a focus on rich, caramelized malt flavors, often using locally malted barley and longer boiling times to create a robust, sweet profile with notes of toffee, dark fruit, and subtle smokiness. The style was shaped by Scotland’s cool climate, which favored ales over lagers, and the use of native ingredients like peated malt in some cases. By the 19th century, Scotch ales were a staple of Scottish brewing, with breweries like Traquair House and Belhaven refining the style. Barrel aging, however, was not a widespread practice for these beers historically, as they were typically enjoyed fresh or lightly conditioned in wooden casks, which imparted minimal flavor compared to modern barrel-aging techniques.
The modern practice of barrel-aging Scotch ales began in the late 20th century, driven by the craft beer revolution in the United States and Europe. Brewers started experimenting by aging Scotch ales in barrels previously used for spirits like bourbon, sherry, or whisky, drawing inspiration from the bold flavors of barrel-aged stouts. The process enhances the beer’s malt-forward character with complex notes of oak, vanilla, and the residual spirit, creating a richer, more layered drinking experience. American breweries like Founders (with their Backwoods Bastard) and Scotland’s Innis & Gunn popularized this approach, blending traditional Scottish ale recipes with innovative aging techniques. Today, barrel-aged Scotch ales are a celebrated craft beer style, prized for their depth and versatility, often released as limited-edition brews that highlight the interplay between the base beer and the barrel’s influence.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged