Heather Ales Alba

	Percentile
	77
	overall

A Traditional Ale brewed by
Williams Brothers (Heather Ales)
Alloa, Central, Scotland

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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Ratings Average Score ABV Style Pctl Serve in Advanced
557 3.39/5.0 3.39/5.0 7.5% 71 Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard P Stats

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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khayman70 (154), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

4.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.6	8/10	5/5	9/10	5/5	19/20

Dec 18, 2002

Another beer from Heather Ale Ltd. that I love. I love the almost woody character of this beer. The finish is hard to even begin to describe.

LordCrabapple (70), Merseyside, England

4.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.5	9/10	5/5	9/10	4/5	18/20

Jan 6, 2008

What a wonderful beer. A ’sipper’ (as the Americans say. What a terrible word!); very strong, a delight to taste, but hard to find in England without the American gift pack. I would certainly recommend this to all good fellows.

mckstud2 (3), USA
does not count

4.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.5	10/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	18/20

May 28, 2006

I would be satisfied with just smelling this beer - drinking it is an added bonus! Fruity on the nose, despite a fast-disappearing head. Very earthy tones that went down smooth. A must try in my book.

flowerysong (25), USA

4.5	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.5	9/10	4/5	10/10	4/5	18/20

Jul 24, 2007

Appearance: Pours a clear reddish amber with two fingers of off-white head that quickly dissipates. Smell: Spicy malt with a hint of pine and a lot of fruit notes. Taste: Sweet and fruity up front, leading into a wonderful mix of malt, apples, caramel, and pine on an earthy background. Long soft finish. Mouthfeel: Smooth and full with light carbonation. Drinkability: An excellent strong ale with lots of depth.

dwyerpg (2143), Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

4.4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
4.4	10/10	4/5	9/10	4/5	17/20

Jan 18, 2007

Wonderful piny molasses aroma. Taste is similar, piny and molasses. Very good stuff; a slightly thin finihs, but certainly great.

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