Some beers are built for the long haul. Big malt, bold barrels, and enough ABV to make you slow down whether you planned to or not. When Town Hall leans into a concept, they commit fully, and this one is both clever and delicious.
Cold Runnings
Cold Runnings is a nod to the movie Cool Runnings and the legendary Jamaican bobsled team, but here the sled is packed with malt and rum instead of Olympic dreams. This Scottish Style Wee Heavy was aged in a Jamaican rum barrel that previously held blackstrap molasses driven rum. Town Hall describes it as a caramel, chocolate, nougat, vanilla, maple coated treat. At 13.6% ABV, this is absolutely one to sip closer to cellar temp and take your time with.
Black liquid fills the snifter, forming a bubbly dull white head that quickly fizzes away, leaving little sign of its previous existence. What remains is an inky, almost light swallowing pour that signals depth and richness.
The nose opens with blackstrap molasses and warm crushed grains. Light caramel sweetness weaves through the aroma, while the rum barrel adds a spicy edge that keeps things interesting. There is just a hint of vanilla floating in the background, subtle but present.
On the palate, warm caramel and light toffee meet sweet molasses in a thick, coating wave of malt. A touch of anise and salted licorice adds complexity, with a brief flash of berry before the rum takes over the finish. Sip after sip, that barrel character grows more expressive, with spicy rum warmth lingering long after each swallow.
When Rum Barrels Play Nice
The pairing of a Scotch ale and a rum barrel is not something you see every day. Rum barrels can be a challenge for brewers. They tend to require more maintenance, leak more frequently, and often result in greater product loss and lower final yields. Choosing to use them is not the easy path.
But when it works, it works beautifully.
Cold Runnings is rich without being syrupy, warming without being harsh, and complex without feeling chaotic. The rum complements the deep malt backbone of the Wee Heavy instead of overpowering it. It is bold, a little tropical, a little roasty, and endlessly sippable for a 13.6% beer. This is one to pour, let warm, and enjoy slowly as the layers continue to reveal themselves.