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Home > Brewers > Scotland > Williams Brothers (Heather Ales) >

Heather Ales Alba

Heather Ales Alba

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 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 
5513.39/5.03.39/5.07.5%72Dimpled 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.

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 darkguardian (194), Florida, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/516/20

Jul 12, 2008  
12oz bottle. Pours a crystal clear reddish brown. Small whitish head. Nose of bread, maple, alcohol and citrus hops. This is a badass tasting beer. Alcohol well hidden, totally unique maple pine flavor. Low bitterness. Awesome malt backbone, perfect carbonation. This is very very underated.

 weaselkenievil (390), Cheshire, England
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/514/20
Oct 11, 2008  
Bottle. Poured a dark amber with a slight reddish tint. Smells very malty. Really tasty, malty, generous helping of fruit cake, little caramel topping on that there cake. Very nice, enjoyed this.


 daknole (854), Plantation, Florida, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/514/20
Oct 10, 2008  
Bottle from whole foods. Amber pour wtih a light tan head. Aroma is very malty and heavy. Some caramel notes are present and some honey as well. Flavor is pretty full and malty. Caramel, toffee, and a hit of hops balances well. I liked this one pretty well.


 Beerman6686 (780), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/57/103/512/20
Sep 27, 2008  
Poured a dark amber color with an off white head. Aroma was sweet malts and pine. Flavor was a little subdued on the pine, really smooth maltiness and some caramel. Not bad at all.


gabriel_syme (66), Ohio, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/58/104/517/20
Sep 21, 2008  
Pours tan-brown, little head. heavy taste of caramel and some chocolate, alcohol is well hidden for 7.5%. "Delicious Even when past expiration date."


 drjay44 (164), Colorado, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/514/20
Sep 18, 2008  
11.2 oz bottle. Pours a light tan head, which becomes very thin, cloudy copper colored with multiple small floating objects....nose of honey, floral overtones, no real pine....tastes of sweetness with honey overtones, mild hoppiness comes in, mouth feel OK.



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