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Heather Ales Alba

Score
8784
OVERALLStyle
Brewed by Williams Brothers (Heather Ales)
Style: Traditional Ale
Alloa, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution

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RATINGS: 760   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.37   EST. CALORIES: 225   ABV: 7.5%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Bottled. A cask version at 6% is produced in March and April.
"Scots Pine Ale"
Introduced by the Vikings, spruce and pine ales were very popular in the Scottish Highlands until the end of the 19th century. Many early explorers, including Captain Cook, used spruce ale during long sea voyages since it prevented scurvy and ill health. Shetland spruce ale was said to "stimulate animal instincts" and give you twins. Alba is a triple style ale brewed to a traditional Highland recipe from Scots pine and spruce shoots pickled during early spring.Pure malted barley, is boiled with the young sprigs of pine for several hours then the fresh shoots of the spruce are added for a short infusion before fermentation.
A tawny brown strong ale with spruce aroma, rich malt texture, complex wood flavour and lingering finish.
Best drunk at room temperature from a wine goblet as an after dinner digestive.

3.5
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
stravale (381) - Inverness, SCOTLAND - FEB 8, 2012
Bottle from Alesela Dark amber..no head just rim of bubbles
Aroma - sweet herbal notes...light sherry...fruity..caramel malt...slight spicy twinge
Taste - Sweet malts...hint of fruit salad sweets...soft sweet pine (not hoppy but trees)...herbal..bit medicinal..some light bitter hops..plant resins...unusual..good flavour
Palate - very low carb...medium body...sweet herbal palate. Finish as main flavour.. some planty herbal light bitterness...strange but likeable flavour.
Overall - Good beer..unusual rather strange taste but smooth and silky. Although it’s good I couldn’t have more than one bottle.

3.2
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
chrisv10 (4028) - DENMARK - FEB 5, 2012
Bottle. Clear amber with small off-white head. Aroma is malt, little caramel and notes of alcohol. Flavour is malt, medium sweet, little caramel, fruit, little pine, hops, medium bitter with notes of alcohol.

2.9
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
bax (482) - Hasselager, Aarhus, DENMARK - FEB 1, 2012
(bottle 01/02-2012) low beige head, clear orange color, medium co2, slightly spicy malty aroma, fit body, slightly alcohol taste. BB date JAN 2013.

3.8
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
Lagerboy (289) - British Columbia, CANADA - JAN 30, 2012
Murky amber orange, foamy tan head. Light grassy spruce aroma. Sweet malty resinous taste. Silky and fruity, some alcohol. Long sweet finish. Intriguing beer! LF (Lagerboy Friendly)

3.2
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
teddybeer (553) - Madrid, SPAIN - JAN 28, 2012
335ml bottle. Orangish colour with an easy and good formation of off-white head. Aroma is malty, moderate toasty and slightly sweet. Flavour is initially caramelish, dense on palate and moderate bittery in the final. Carbonation is medium. Body is medium. Texture is oily.

3.6
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
BVery (1960) - Burnsville, Minnesota, USA - JAN 19, 2012
Bottle. Very interesting brew! Deeper golden pour with a smaller white head. Sediment noticeable. Aroma is dark fruit (fig, raisin), berries, and a good amount of sugary sweetness. Medium palate, soft carbonation. Taste is also quite sweet - a bit citrusy, slight resin, and something slightly akin to Tang. Good stuff.

3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
Oysteib (23) - NORWAY - JAN 15, 2012
From bottle. Cloudy, amber color. Pleasant ale flavors, with a somewhat overpowering bitterness in the finish.

3.9
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
edgallow (162) - nashville, Tennessee, USA - JAN 14, 2012
Had this beer to long ago, just transferring from a app I was using to rate beer. As I drink these again I will add a better review.


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Rating Notecard:
Beer: Heather Ales Alba Rating Avg: 3.37 No. of Ratings: 760
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