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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.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
Aggie80 (740) - Michigan, USA - SEP 9, 2006
Cool stuff! Nice pour with some head. Aroma had a bit of a pine scent to it and the pine aftertaste was a nice subtle undertone. Not much of a kick dispite the higher alcohol content. I liked it and would buy it again when I see it.

3.7
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
Suttree (3766) - Knoxville, Tennessee, USA - MAY 15, 2002
Piney flavored. but not resiny like some hops flavors. Full, almost Barley Wine-ish mouth feel. Try it mulled.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Dickinsonbeer (5077) - Hoboken, New Jersey, USA - JUN 23, 2004
Deep amber/brown with a sligth head. Aroma is spicy with a fair amount of spruce- kinda christmas-tree-like. Tastes very piney and sappy with lots of maltiness. Mouthfeel is smooth and sweet with a taste that lingers on the tongue for a very long time. Surprisingly drinkable.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
shaeffbser (70) - Vail, Colorado, USA - JUN 5, 2003
Very interesting beer that tastes and smells like twislers. dark brown body and mild carbonation.

3.7
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
Dalle (1145) - Skørping, DENMARK - SEP 6, 2004
Brown with small head. Malt, caramel, fruit, herbs/pine, earthy, soft. Complex. Nice.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
ztrvz (218) - st paul, Minnesota, USA - MAY 21, 2004
a nice berry, malty aroma. minimal head that quickly disappears, but remains as a ring ’round the glass. clear amber. nice ’n malty, then some taste of pine, but overall... it’s hard to put a finger on. not too entirely interesting, but very unique. i enjoy this beer quite a bit.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
Crockett (916) - Steelback County, Ontario, CANADA - FEB 21, 2004
Pours copper/amber. Creamy tall, off white head. Herb sweet, caramel aroma. Medicinal spice/herb first gulp. Mushrooms and earth immediately after. Wanders into a woody and slight smoke. Some lace lingers thoughout. Has alcohol warmth, but is extremely well hidden. Hints of burnt sugar. It has a spruce/pine aroma/taste. I don't know how much it needs. It definately fits the bill. Best out of the Heathers. By example: I liked it.

3.7
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
JoeMcPhee (6835) - Toronto, ON, Ontario, CANADA - OCT 1, 2004
Bottled. Copper-coloured with a thick lasting white head. Oddly malty aroma with a very herbal character. Butterscotch, fruit, and soapy. Flavour of sweet malts and bitter herbs, although nothing I would identify as pine or spruce per se, but definitely a herbal woodsiness. Finish is rich, malty, and bitter. Doesn’t seem particularly hoppy, but still bitter.


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