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Heather Ales Alba

Heather Ales Alba  - Traditional Ale

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

Alloa, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in 
6183.38/5.03.38/5.07.5%75.4Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard
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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?  
 HenrikSoegaard (4263), 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 (741), 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 (884), 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


AndrewC (70), Canterbury, Kent, England
3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/55/103/511/20
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)


 buzzoven (333), Japan
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/511/20
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!


 armando629 (954), Budapest, Hungary
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/516/20
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.


 Frovigalning (398), , Sweden
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/57/104/514/20
Feb 28, 2009  
Bottle at Monks Cafe, Stockholm. Very interesting beer. Sweet tastes of pine and pears. Very nice dark amber colour.



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