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.

2.8
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 14/20
jvmiller (558) - Bel Air, Maryland, USA - FEB 21, 2009
This one was funky to me. Kind of sweet-sour, a weird unbalance. Was watery, but at the same time was this bad-sweet flavor, and had this funky pine needle aftertaste. I just didn’t dig it at all.

2.4
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 8/20
njbfr (110) - New Jersey, USA - FEB 20, 2009
Cloudy, reddish-orange with a thin white head. Slight aroma of pine or spruce resin. Taste is very flowery and herbal. Lingering finish. Bitterness from hops or more roasted malt would make this better as it is overly sweet and difficult to swallow without a head shake. No lacing whatsoever.

3.9
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 18/20
EithCubes (3054) - GERMANY - FEB 10, 2009
Bottle. Big malty nose, herbal with a sweety gummy touch, strong citrus and spice with undulating caramel. Woody, yes, but only subtly and not obviously spruce or pine. Orange-brown [yes, tawny] haze of a body with a light, lacing tan head. Initially sweet body turns mildly dry, strong currents of wood and bubblegum in an overall mild offering. Alcohol is dangerously hidden, whisper smooth light-medium body. Faint earthy spruce to top off. Citrus gives lightness and brevity. Honey drops and light raisin. Light caramel. Superbly agile and balanced ale; quenching and highly repeatable, novel but not tacky. A great treat to return to every so often.

3.8
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Rciesla (5500) - Exit 15W, New Jersey, USA - FEB 7, 2009
Bottle. Pours a tawny brown orange with a thin off white lacing. Spruce, pine, sap; fruity with notes of gum, caramel, and citrus. Flavor is very sweet with unrefined sugar and a candy sweetness. Passion fruit and citrus. Wow what an odd ball. Extra points for this being rather unique in my book.

3.5
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
lithy (2914) - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - FEB 2, 2009
Dated June 09. Dark cloudy brownish orange with a weak ring of off white head. Sweet caramel and a floral aroma. Taste is caramel, tropical fruits, light vanilla, honey, some pine and spruce in the finish where the hops should be.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
AmazonMatt (285) - PANAMA - JAN 29, 2009
Rather malty, I was’t expecting that. More of a hybrid than some others in this category. Nice and easy drinking, hides the 7.5% alcohol well. Actually, didn’t taste much pine or spruce at all.

3.7
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
goozen (1783) - Leiden, NETHERLANDS - JAN 17, 2009
Bottle 0,33ltr: Dark brown ale with an taste of an Nordic Pine forest, and hints of caramel.

4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 17/20
carruthm (1396) - Seattle, Washington, USA - JAN 17, 2009
A: sprucey, piney, smooth caramel vanilla, V: clear orange, dark with little to no head. T: little sour sucker to it falling into a very pleasant spruce pine flavor.


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 « 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 » 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