Heather Ales Ebulum

Brewed by Williams Brothers (Heather Ales)
Style: Traditional Ale
Alloa, Central, Scotland

Mild peat malt in the sweet, herbal, fruity aroma. Opaque dark brown with shy, large-bubbled, off-white/tan head that recedes to thin ring. Peat malt flavour up front mellows to a subdued fruitiness with some herbal spicing and a fairly salty character. Medium-light body with smooth texture and gentle carbonation. Bottle (LCBO - Nov. 2004).

the curtains lifted, and immediately i liked the stage and props: the background was a beautifully stated minimalist expression of darkness and negative space; once my eyes adjusted to the sooty prune-colored expanse, i was able to discern cunning details of mahogany brush strokes along the periphery. contrasting to that was the head, a delicate frappe’, the almond-tan of peeled potatoes. together beer and head were the pleasing cream and dark leather colors of a pair of saddle shoes. the play began with a nice aromatic dialogue, a smell of fresh geraniums, grape jam, vapors of whiskey-- alas, the actors weren’t projecting vocally well enough, these clever lines were hard to hear. i identified with the whiskey character, and would have like to have seen him shine with bolder dialogue, but the role was skillfully supporting--and-- without giving away the ending-- we’d see more of him as the story unfolded... peat notes made the geranium more than a one-dimensional actor, we felt her darkness too, and it rang true and universal. meanwhile, the fruit could easily have been over-acted by a lesser performer, but even with sweet poignant lines, she never became shrill or fake. as the plot developed, it was clear that it wasn’t just a formulaic variation of a porter with a fruity gimmick-- themes were borrowed from certain scotch ales, and one saw the influence of the classic oatmeal stout school as well. the palate is very soft, almost watery, but the company plays well, no one grandstanding, good believable grounding in malty themes, sweet without being maudlin, bitter without being metallic, finishes with a bit of burnt zest, chocolate brownie, and the soft ending notes of that well-orchestrated whiskey score. i’ll definatley rent this when it comes out in dvd.

Pours dark brown, thin quickly-dissipating head. Aroma of diet Pepsi (yet pleasant). I was concerned that the elderberry would be too potent, but happy to find that the fruit is more sour cherry without the redness: both sweet and sour. The hops cover what would be the bitter elderberry finish. Palate is somewhat greasy, but inoffesnsive. Enjoyable overall, but at 4 bucks a bottle, I won’t be picking this one up often.

Pours like a thick root beer. The smell is of thistle in a quaint Scottish garden, and the taste is of the rugged Highland earth. Smoky with a slight hint of peat moss initially, followed by the subdued sweetness of elderberry. Awesome. (Whenever I hear ’elderberry,’ I always think of Monty Python for some strange reason... Hmmm. Wonder why.)

Bottle - 330ml. Black body with ruby glints and a beautiful thick and lasting beige foamy head. Nice malty/oaty aroma with coffeeish and roasty notes. Very well balanced taste with a good combination of malty, hoppy and roasty flavors. We can also detect some hints of dark berries. Leaves a long bitter and roasty aftertaste and a subtle warming effect. Very interesting and enjoyable. Thank you PrimeMinister!

From a bottle.Almost black in colour,small head.Roasted dark fruits,strong rich flavours,another strange and historic feel to this beer.

pours really dark with a small almost tan head. nice lacing from the small but hanging around head. aroma is plum, tea leaves, chocolate, mixed with a rich roasted like note. flavor is dried dark fruit with an interesting juice-extract note. I’ve actually tasted pure elderberry juice extract and I can definetely taste the same flavors in this. Body is like a porter, slightly, but appropriately thin. I think this is pretty interesting.

Bottled. Thin head at pour. Dark and astringent from patent malts. Finish is very dry, making it characteristic of an elderberry wine than a fruit beer. Interesting, but just okay.