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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.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
onystrom (1219) - Style King! - Skanderborg, DENMARK - APR 3, 2009
Clear amber color with small head. Pleasant aroma and very funny flavor, the spruce adds a spicy sweet chewing gum flavor :)

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
ogivlado (4275) - Zagreb, CROATIA - APR 1, 2009
Bottled(330ml). -as Alba Scots Pine Ale. Clear amber coloured, small head that disappears in few seconds, honey wax nose with hint of spruce. Interesting taste; some sort of sweet jam mixed with perfumed candle. Spicy finish.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
lushawn (2161) - Somerville, Massachusetts, USA - MAR 31, 2009
neat beer. amber color. smells like pine, tastes like pine. a very interesting beer. would try again

3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 11/20
AndrewC (256) - Canterbury, Kent, ENGLAND - MAR 20, 2009
A red-amber colour that smells of plum blossom. Big syrupy flavour with hints of pine needles. Big long pine finish. The first proper ale I think I’ve had (if we exclude the sip of Kelpie I had a couple of years ago)

3.2
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 11/20
buzzoven (376) - JAPAN - MAR 16, 2009
Very interesting ale with a truly unique and wild scent of...candy coated lemon cake, fermented hayseed, brandy-soaked licorice. Taste leans on the slightly sweet side with some boozy hints and some cotton candy aspects as well. Not really sure how great this is, but it was entertaining as hell. The term "bewitching" kept popping up in my head as I drank this. The term "yeah!" also popped up in my head because I listened to the new Morrissey album as I enjoyed this pint. Viva Moz! Viva Alba!

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
armando629 (1939) - Budapest, HUNGARY - MAR 15, 2009
Fine and interesting one. Moderated character, It not knocks You out with the high percentage of alcohol. Nice amber color with a small delicious tan head. Interesting aroma of pine and some caramel, nice ale character with fruitiness. Smooth mouthfeel, not an overpowered alcohol character, freaky tastes of fruits and honey. It was fine.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
Frovigalning (1320) - Örebro, SWEDEN - FEB 28, 2009
Bottle at Monks Cafe, Stockholm. Very interesting beer. Sweet tastes of pine and pears. Very nice dark amber colour.

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
dwaggs2 (1127) - Jefferson City, Missouri, USA - FEB 24, 2009
Bottle. Thank you cusemanchild for this on. Very good beer. Aroma is some hop bitterness. Pours a hazy orange color with no head. Very drinkable decent beer.


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