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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.

4.2
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 17/20
swigswthwolves (15) - Glendale Heights, Illinois, USA - NOV 4, 2011
Very good beer! Pours an orangish brown color with a light head. Very strong warm malty aroma. Taste is of malts and fruit. This is an intriguing brew full of flavor. I would gladly drink this again it’s delicious.

3.5
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Chipalsa (482) - Florida, USA - OCT 3, 2011
UPDATED: DEC 2, 2011 The smell was pleasant; smooth graham cracker, honey and dried citrus are an interesting mix. Tasted fairly malty, but had a nice hop & cherry twang that gave off to a light and tangy finish. Great stuff here.

3.1
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 14/20
Vignale (783) - Malmö, SWEDEN - OCT 2, 2011
Doft och smak av färska granskott. Väldigt oljig och fenolisk, grönsåpa mm. Tröttsam i längden.

3.9
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
whitecap (164) - Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - OCT 1, 2011
Bottle, 330ml served at room temperature as recommended by the bottle. Pours a beautiful amber into a wine glass with a solid off white head and incredible lacing. Aroma of dark fruits similar to those found in a Belgian quad and very minor notes of pine. Probably would not have noticed them if this was not labeled as a "pine" ale. Taste is sweet caramel, and strong malts, combined with a very subtle citrus and pine, a little spicy and rather dry finish. This beer reminds me of a fine tawny port. Palate is medium bodied with mild carbonation and a sweetness that coats the tongue. I’ve had this beer in my cellar for about half a year and had been putting off drinking it figuring it would be an overly-hopped IPA "pine ale". Was pleasantly surprised by this interesting--yet flavorful beer. Would not add this to my regular rotation but would enjoy drinking it again.

4.5
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 19/20
BrotherLogic (226) - South Yorkshire, ENGLAND - SEP 29, 2011
Awesome - love this. Has quite a strong alcohol kick but quite a tasty soft flavour. Really tasty. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

3
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
RobertDale (830) - Lansing, Kansas, USA - SEP 28, 2011
330 ml. bottle. Pours a dark orange with an average white head. Aroma of malt and pine. Taste is sweet malt, caramel and pine. Interesting and quite different.

3.1
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
zdk (1609) - New York, New York, USA - SEP 21, 2011
Cask at Get Real NY - Nice big fruits, cherry and berries. Smooth bodied, sweet malts with a hint of sour, fruity tarts.

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
TheCametron (471) - SCOTLAND - SEP 21, 2011
Pours orangey gold. Malty and piney. Quite full on. Hint of the Belgian triple about it but ultimately not great.


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