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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.

3.2
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
Rune (4667) - Tromsø, NORWAY - OCT 12, 2006
330ml bottle bought at Utobeer in London. Ruby red or tawny with a solid off-white head. Very nice clarity. Inviting fruity aroma. Taste of berries (strawberry), flowers and fruit (pineapple). Unusual, but quite appealing (16.09.2006).

3.3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
pinkzambia (1155) - Boise, Idaho, USA - OCT 8, 2006
Bottle:Cloudy reddish apple cider color with no head. Aromas of spicy bananas, spruce and sweet figs. The taste is initially off-putting, something resembling furniture polish and musty rubbing alcohol. But as you get used to it it grows on you and you don’t really notice much of spruce or pine, except maybe the sap from the enhds of the spruce needles. I also noticed hints of cola and peaty scotch. The body is full and creamy. Out of these traditional ales made by Williams Brothers, this one is definitely the best.

2.4
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 9/20
SSSteve (2923) - Atlanta, Georgia, USA - OCT 8, 2006
may 98 sprigs. syrupy, caramel colored pour. no head. sugary sweet tart candy flavor. nutra-sweet, medicinal. malty strawberry aroma. not sure what to think about this. very odd stuff. it became very cloying by the end of the beer. very artificial and sugary. interesting, but i don’t like it.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
gnoff (4830) - Göteborg, SWEDEN - OCT 8, 2006
(33 cl bottle at Haket, Göteborg) Clear red brown color, creamy tan head. Sweet fruity and berry-like scent. Sweet taste, chocolate wild strawberry, nice as a dessert. Raises my interest to use pine and spruce in my own ales. MEdium bitterness. Sweet aftertaste.

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
00cobraR (1103) - Greensboro, North Carolina, USA - OCT 1, 2006
Pours a coppery color with a biege head. Aroma is very malty and kind of sweet. Flavor was a little to sweet for my liking. not to bad but something i wont drink again

3.7
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
muenster (345) - Sevierville, Tennessee, USA - SEP 29, 2006
Bottle. Pours copper/brown with a thin off-white head. Wow, the aroma is a total malt-festival. Caramel, toast, toffee, and milk chocolate all are very prevalent. Flavor is sugar sweet caramel with maple syrup, some dark fruit, and a mild pine finish.

3.6
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
OhioDad (2491) - Hilliard, Ohio, USA - SEP 24, 2006
12oz bottle from the mystery swap box! - Thanks! - Pours murky light brown with a short bubbly offwhite head that stays well and laces in layers.. Aroma is quite malty with caramel and toffee, just a hint of pine there but not too much. Flavor is good caramel, raisins, a touch of toffee, and some nuts, and light spice before the casual pine finish. Medium bodied without much carbonation and a lingering sweet aftertaste. Not bad at all.

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
fonefan (23599) - VestJylland, DENMARK - SEP 20, 2006
Bottle. Red brown color with a beige head. Malt and sweet caramel in the aroma. Roasted sweet caramel in the flavour.


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