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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.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
EHSRanders (1607) - Tjele, DENMARK - APR 30, 2009
Bottle. Clear amber colour with medium creamy off-white mostly lasting head. Malty aroma with notes of caramel. Sweet bitter flavor. Creamy palate.

3.8
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
LordCorkscrew (1737) - Ronco Scrivia (GE), ITALY - APR 25, 2009
Forse avrei dovuto berla col dessert, comunque straordinaria birra, l’ultima provata della linea tradizionale dei fratelli Williams (le altre che finora ho assaggiato sono Kelpie, Fraoch, Grozet ed Ebulum.... tutte strepitose).... non mi ha deluso affatto anche nello strano abbinamento con pansoti e salsa di noci (che secondo me poteva starci bene invece!). Speciale

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
blipp (3600) - Newark, New Jersey, USA - APR 17, 2009
Bottle. Pours bright orange with an off white head. Sweet aroma with fruit, honey and hints of pine needles. The flavor is also sweet with honey and fruity notes. The pine notes are present but don’t dominate. A pretty good and easy to drink beer that’s definitely worth trying.

3.3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
scrizzz (2183) - Bothell, Washington, USA - APR 16, 2009
Syrupy orange and pine aroma. Heavy still oranged brown in the glass. Dense and warm, sappy sweetness without much carbonation wrapped in dry wood. I feel my scurvy getting better.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
hobbersr (690) - Lethbridge, Alberta, CANADA - APR 16, 2009
Pours a deep dark red with minimal head and large chunky "floaties". Aroma is pungent and strong. Some molasses, chocolate, butterscotch, and candy. There isn’t much if any pine or spruce on the nose. The Taste is much like a wee heavy, sweet with toasted malt. The pine does come through on the finish. The taste reminds me of chocolate covered flavored marshmallow candies. Odd, enjoyable, unique. I feel my Scandinavian roots coming through drinking this one.

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 14/20
cheeta (1165) - Langå, DENMARK - APR 15, 2009
Moderate malty and caramelic aroma. Average, frothy head. Fully diminishing longevity. Clear, red brown body. Heavy sweet and toffee flavor. Medium palate.

2.8
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
VikingMetalGod (31) - Manchester, New Hampshire, USA - APR 7, 2009
Bottle from kappy’s. Aroma is malty and sweet with pine, go figure. Some fruity, sugary notes as well. Appearance is dark brown, hazy with a short, quickly disappearing head. Flavor is...strange. Definitely an ale flavor with malt and hops, but also piney and sweet. Certainly lives up to the description. Not a bad beer, but not one I’d reach for again. Finish is piney with lingering hops and slightly alcoholic. I would like to try this without the pine infusion as I think it would be a decent ale. Otherwise, it’s interesting but not my cup o’ beer.

3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
HenrikSoegaard (7231) - Randers, DENMARK - APR 6, 2009
Bottle. Frothy off-white good mostly lasting head. Amber colour. Moderate malty and hoppy aroma. Moderate bitter flavor. Very v caramellic and nice pine notes. Average moderate bitter finish. Oily palate.


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