RateBeer

Heather Ales Alba

Percentile
81
overall
Brewed by Williams Brothers (Heather Ales)
Style: Traditional Ale

Alloa, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreABVStyle PctlServe in
6223.39/5.03.38/5.07.5%75.1Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard
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.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 scrizzz (1263), kirkland, Washington, USA
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/103/514/20
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.


 hobbersr (393), Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/514/20
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.


 cheeta (899), Langå, Denmark
3.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/102/514/20
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.


VikingMetalGod (31), Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
2.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/55/103/510/20
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.


 HenrikSoegaard (4321), Randers, Denmark
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/515/20
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.


 onystrom (780), Århus-Randers Crew, Denmark
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/104/514/20
Apr 3, 2009  
Clear amber color with small head. Pleasant aroma and very funny flavor, the spruce adds a spicy sweet chewing gum flavor :)


 ogivlado (3036), Zagreb, Croatia
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/513/20
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.


 shawnm213 (913), South Bend, Indiana, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/103/515/20
Mar 31, 2009  
neat beer. amber color. smells like pine, tastes like pine. a very interesting beer. would try again



CONSIDER FREE RATEBEER MEMBERSHIP



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!

SIGN UP NOW »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63


About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2009, RateBeer LLC