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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.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
joohefner (380) - Isla Vista, California, USA - OCT 7, 2007
clear amber color with a medium light creamy head. floral woody aroma with a fruity undertone. crisp body. caramel malt with nutty pine notes. drinks like a lager, could use a bit more hop bitterness

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
crazyvin (1536) - New York, USA - OCT 5, 2007
Poured a nice mahogany color with a thin white head which had nice lacing. Aroma was a mix of nice wood notes and a sweet cherry like fruit note to it. Flavor was very sweet some honey and sweet fruit too it with mild pine notes. Carbonation was low, and body was moderate. good.

3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
BossHossBikes (148) - California, USA - OCT 3, 2007
Bottle. Pours a clear copper with a lasting pale head. The aroma is of caramel apples, slight hints of pine, and jolly ranchers. There is very low carbonation and has a medium, caramelly mouthfeel. The pine in the flavour is more apparent than in the aroma. The sweetness is almost too overwhelming to me, though. This is an okay brew. I love pine, but I think the sweetness is too much for me.

2
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 4/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 5/20
RSRIZZO (1634) - Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA - SEP 27, 2007
Had this beer on 1/8/2006. Aroma is a nice mildly roasted malt scent. Color is a nice brown with low carbonation and a thin head. Taste is rich and sweet. Starting with a medium body it goes down with a rich feel. Finish comes on with a heavy sweet malt flavor backed by a strong pine like taste that is a bit overwhelming. I don’t like it, but I think it is what they wanted it to be. I just don’t think pine was meant for eat or drink.

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
RblWthACoz (963) - Brooklyn, New York, USA - SEP 26, 2007
Pours a hazed ruby with no head. Nose is sweet like cotton candy. Flavor has a really odd and unique tang to it. I suppose it is the pine. Very present sweet flavor to it.Feel is low on bubble and thicker with a slightly syrup like feel on the tongue. Definitely drinkable. Another from Heather Ale worth trying.

3.9
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
Bobsy (194) - Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - SEP 24, 2007
Bottle from the LCBO. I really was not expecting this to be as good as it turned out. The nose was strongly of pine and spruce, and had me concerned that these fresh flavours would make me feel like I had been gnawing at a Christmas tree for half an hour. Surprisingly, the pine taste was nicely balanced by a honey sweetness, and although still being the salient flavour it didn’t prevent the drink from tasting like beer as I thought it would. An interesting Scottish take on a tripel, and something I wish I had more of.

3.5
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
puboflyons (1111) - Allenstown, New Hampshire, USA - SEP 22, 2007
Bottle with an expiration date of Jun 2008. From a collector’s pack called "Historic Ales from Scotland." Pours a hazy brownish-copper with a beige head but not much lacing. A very unique aroma of spruce and pine, which, believe it or not, are part of this recipe that the brewer says originated with the Vikings. A full mouth feel and about the most unique flavor I have ever had. Some berries maybe. Ends dry. Really unsual and likeable.

1.9
   AROMA 3/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 3/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 7/20
Sigmund (3495) - Hafrsfjord, NORWAY - SEP 19, 2007
330 ml bottle, bought at Real Foods, Edinburgh. ABV is 7.5%. Deep amber coloured beer, large off-white head. Unusual sweetish aroma, notes of over-ripe raspberries and pine needles, not very pleasant. The flavour is very sweet and alcoholic, piney and sugary notes. Unusual beer, but is it really good? I’m sorry, but this is not for me.


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