Heather Ales Alba 3.38 634

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
634	3.38/5.0	3.38/5.0	7.5%	75	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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beerledgend (919), Waterloo, Wellington, New Zealand

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	7/10	3/5	6/10	4/5	13/20

Jan 23, 2006

Dark amber in colour with small white head. very chunky sediment. Spicey aroma of pine. Warm mouth feel, hint of tropical banna esters.

Strykzone (1505), Wood River, Illinois, USA

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	7/10	3/5	7/10	2/5	14/20

May 22, 2009

A hazy golden brown beer. Despite a vigorous pour almost no head raised. Sweet fruit, spice, and alcohol comprise the aroma. In the mouth this beer has no carbonation and no zing. It offers complex fruit and spice to match. The alcohol provides a touch of warming. An interesting beer that does a decent job of reproducing an ancient style.

TheRimmer (483), Florida, USA

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	6/10	4/5	6/10	4/5	13/20

Oct 22, 2004

The aroma is sweet malts, just like the others i’ve had from forth, but it sequed into scents of pine. Now the pine was a tad overpowering in the taste, but it dissipated and a highly fruity blend washed in. Tastes extremely port like. However, 2 hours later, I am belching up the most god awful pine cone, tawny port bubbles. i swear to christ im melting my teeth with em. very complex beer, lots of flavor, just not habit forming.

goldtwins (4086), Nesconset, New York, USA

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

Aug 20, 2004

Small white head. Clear copper color. Aroma is fruity and floral with light alcohol as it warmed. Light thin body fruity with a moderate but balanced spice. Alcohol more evident as the beer warmed.

aracauna (2427), Georgia, USA

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

Jul 8, 2002

Seemed very belgian to me. I wouldn’t call it a spot on, but it vaguely reminds be of La Trappe Dubbel. Raisins. Despite being flavored with pine and spruce it seems really light on that. In fact, I couldn’t really pick up any pine or spruce. Almost cloying in its sweetness. I couldn’t get it to give me head. It made me sad.

caledonian (367), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	6/10	4/5	6/10	3/5	14/20

Nov 14, 2004

Bottled. Cloudy orangish brown. Faint aroma of pine branch if you look for it. Sweet flavor, too mixed to get much in the way of distinct flavors. It’s alright.

awaller05 (301), Sharon, Wisconsin, USA

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

Jul 17, 2005

Decent beer, but not what I expected, I don’t think I would want more that a sixer of this one. A very much fruity butterscotch taste, I think. I can’t begin to explain the taste.

bluevegie (2231), Perth, Australia

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	7/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	12/20

Jun 21, 2006

Very sort of menthol taste and aroma takes a little getting used to, plain cola looking body without any sort of head. Medium body, interesting and certainly worth trying.

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