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
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Ratings	Average	Score	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
622	3.39/5.0	3.38/5.0	7.5%	75.1	Dimpled 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.

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scrizzz (1263), kirkland, Washington, USA

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	14/20

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
3.5	7/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	14/20

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
3.3	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	14/20

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
2.8	6/10	4/5	5/10	3/5	10/20

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
3.6	7/10	4/5	7/10	3/5	15/20

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
3.5	7/10	3/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

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
3.1	6/10	3/5	6/10	3/5	13/20

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
3.7	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	15/20

Mar 31, 2009

neat beer. amber color. smells like pine, tastes like pine. a very interesting beer. would try again

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