RateBeer
Sign Up or Login : Advanced Search
Score
8784
OVERALLStyle
Brewed by Williams Brothers (Heather Ales)
Style: Traditional Ale
Alloa, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag | edit barcodes |
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.

3.3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
beerisgoodforu (645) - Nørresundby, DENMARK - NOV 3, 2010
Bottle. Pours a dark amber color with a frothy off white head. Aroma is of banana, slight pine and spruce and it smells quite fruity. Not the aroma i expected. Flavor has more pine and spruce and lesser banana and fruit. I also get some sweet and caramel maltiness. The body is medium with a dry mouthfeel. Overall a pretty good Traditional Ale, but i hoped it had more flavors of pine and spruce, but still the best Heather Ale i have had so far.

2.9
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
Finn (2470) - Tromsø, NORWAY - NOV 2, 2010
Flaske 0,33l gave fra Rune. Mørk gylden. Lavt skum. Behagelig aroma med søte bær i nesen. Myk på smak med et søtt fruktig preg. Litt som sukkertøy. Lite bitterhet.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
cfrancis (1223) - Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA - OCT 28, 2010
Pours a reddish brown with a thin white head. Aroma is sweet candy, caramel with grape hints. Taste is very sweet candy and small caramel. Grape highlights the after taste. Interesting taste. Almost like eating some sweet candy. Not what I expected but pleasant.

3.9
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
RedSox2004 (749) - Pacific Palisades, California, USA - OCT 22, 2010
Dark amber with a chill haze, small head but good retention and minimal lacing. Solid pine aromas, but not the resinous pine from a hoppy ipa. Healthy dose of fruity - cherry and grape - esters and medicine. Chewy malts are featured on the palate, with herbal/spice flavors from the pine and spruce. Full body, mild carbonation, and a strong malty finish that fades to a spruce and pine aftertaste.

3.4
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
Vaiz (1847) - Den Haag, NETHERLANDS - OCT 21, 2010
Bottle shared by dEnk, thanks. Nice color, but that is about all I can think of to say about this brew. Aroma and taste are a bit boring and quite average. Still well drinkable brew though.

2.8
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
dEnk (1592) - Den Haag, NETHERLANDS - OCT 20, 2010
Bottle @ home. Nice amber pour, medium head. Aroma is very sweet with malt and caramel, a touch artificial. Flavour is dry watery artificial sweet something with a touch of malt and hops. Meh.

3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
madmitch76 (5176) - , Essex, ENGLAND - OCT 16, 2010
14th March 2006
Warning! Early amateur rating! Drunk at room temperature. Light carbonation. Very treacly and a little aromatic. Tastes mucg better than it sounds!

3.2
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
charlotte (3126) - rødovre, DENMARK - OCT 13, 2010
Bottle.Clear golden colour with creamy medium head.Aroma of rasins and apricot good fruity with flavor of pine and malt,well balanced and nice type of brew.


We Want To Hear From You



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

Join Us »



View Page
1 « 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 » 76
Tick this beer
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5



Rating Notecard:
Beer: Heather Ales Alba Rating Avg: 3.37 No. of Ratings: 760
Copyright © 2000-2012,
RateBeer LLC. All rights
reserved.
about us
About RateBeer
FAQ
Feedback?
New Beers
 add
Advanced Search
Add A Beer
Add A Brewer
Add A Place
membership
Log In
Edit Personal Info
Premium Membership
Your Messages
 the best
100 Beer Club
The Top 50