Heather Ales Alba

	Percentile
	81
	overall

Brewed by Williams Brothers (Heather Ales)
Style: Traditional Ale
Alloa, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
622	3.39/5.0	3.38/5.0	7.5%	75.1	Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard

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.

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daknole (2882), Plantation, Florida, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Oct 10, 2008

Bottle from whole foods. Amber pour wtih a light tan head. Aroma is very malty and heavy. Some caramel notes are present and some honey as well. Flavor is pretty full and malty. Caramel, toffee, and a hit of hops balances well. I liked this one pretty well.

Beerman6686 (1271), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

3.1	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.1	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	12/20

Sep 27, 2008

Poured a dark amber color with an off white head. Aroma was sweet malts and pine. Flavor was a little subdued on the pine, really smooth maltiness and some caramel. Not bad at all.

gabrielsyme (66), Ohio, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	6/10	3/5	8/10	4/5	17/20

Sep 21, 2008

Pours tan-brown, little head. heavy taste of caramel and some chocolate, alcohol is well hidden for 7.5%. "Delicious Even when past expiration date."

drjay44 (772), Salida, Colorado, USA

3.2	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.2	6/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	14/20

Sep 18, 2008

11.2 oz bottle. Pours a light tan head, which becomes very thin, cloudy copper colored with multiple small floating objects....nose of honey, floral overtones, no real pine....tastes of sweetness with honey overtones, mild hoppiness comes in, mouth feel OK.

beerchugger (293), Colorado, USA

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	7/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	13/20

Sep 17, 2008 Updated: Sep 26, 2008

Pours a light amber color with minimal head. Smells of sweet malts, fruit and pine. This beer tastes of sweet candy and is decently hoppy. The pine and spruce are actually very noticeable. It’s an interesting beer with some unique qualities to it.

kmweaver (2436), Sebastopol, California, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	8/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	14/20

Sep 3, 2008

11.2oz bottle, courtesy of my brother. Thanks, Phil! Pours a murky, slightly oily amber-orange color; thin off-white head. Generous amounts of floral notes, dried oranges, and caramel in the aroma; clean, crisp nose. Medium-to-full mouthfeel: relaxed carbonation; loads of caramel, dried fruits, and floral notes upfront; good levels of oiliness and viscosity throughout; generous, satisfying, and floral; reserved sweetness. Lengthy finish: caramel, dried fruits, and sweet malts; nicely balanced throughout.

gam (1092), brisbane, Australia

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	7/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	13/20

Aug 31, 2008

Thin head to mild foam cover on rich amber pour,carbonation steady.Aroma smokey like,rich woody notes,hint of caramel.Flavour sharp malty sweet body mainly,liccorice pine some tastes of strong wooded atmosphere,bit like caramel,it,okay.

Bullit (1334), Glasgow, Scotland

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	14/20

Aug 24, 2008

Orange-copper colour, white head. Aroma has pine hops. Flavour is hoppy and sweet malty. Light bodied.

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