Heather Ales Ebulum

Bottle. [Tasting at Tølløse 10-03-2007] Pitch black color with a small frothy off-white head. Spare lacing. Aroma was chocolate, caramel, roasted, flowers, elder flower and some menthol like notes as well. Light to medium bodied with a flat carbonation. Balanced light sweet and bitter flavor. Nice slightly dry average duration finish. Interesting experience.

Bottle. Nice dark ruby colour with a rather small light brown head. Aroma of berries, raisins, some coffee, roasted malts and chocolata. Flavour is sweet with berries, roastish malt, some coffee and bitter chocolate, bitter hops, bit fruity and spicy. Dry bitter finish.

Pours pitch black, almost no head from the start. Aroma is complex and interesting; roasted malt, gooseberry, vanilla, chocolate, and sweet cherries. The flavour is predominantly gooseberry to my palate, with elements of roasted malt and mild hopping alongside a general fruitiness. Actually somewhat pleasant, especially considering I was prepared for the worst.

Very dark and with a long lasting foam. Interesting aroma of dark berries and roasted notes. The elderberries are far from obvious. I find them mostly in the very bitter finish. Dry and a bit astringent finish.

An enjoyable ale and I have tried to brew. Bought in British Columbia Page 153 of Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide, only 414 out 500 Classic Brews to go.

Apprehension is what I’d say I have about this beer. From what I’ve read of earlier adjuncts (before hops) has me pretty concerned.

Pours deep brown, with a thin loose head. Rich and roasted malt aroma. Medium body, with a definite sweetness. No evidence of fruit (elderberry) I can detect. More of a coffee flavor, if anything (beyond the roasted malt). Could benefit from some hops. But, perhaps that’s my accustomed palate.

Bottle. Dark brown colour, almost black with a rich creamy tan head. Complex roasted malts and berries aroma. Berries dominate the flavours with such a hint of roasted coffee. Quite full-bodied. Innovative and good.

Poured from a bottle, came out a solid black color with a dark tan head that faded. The aroma was mostly of fruits, but maybe some roasted grainy hops too. Pretty complex flavor which started out sweet, but quickly became sour and bitter; the red wine flavor really stood out. The beer was soft and dry with light carbonation and easy to sip. I don’t think I’ve ever had an elderberry before, but they give this beer an interesting taste.