Heather Ales Kelpie

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

Serve in Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard

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I wish I was good at this but this beer rules. ;)

Impressive! Who knew you could make such a tasty beverage with seaweed? I often enjoy it at the local sushi bar when I’m not in the mood for sake. It doesn’t exactly make a good match for sushi as it tends to overwhelm sushi’s subtle flavors but I love it anyway.

I must say I did not like this at first taste. But the flavor is very complex and very different. It grows on you. This is the most interesting beer I have ever had. I loved it by the time I finished the glass.

Bottled. I had no idea what to expect with this one... Was it going to be like drinking a sushi plate or what? Well, I am pleasantly surprised with how good this tastes (and how little the seaweed comes into play, evidently). This little beauty is a mild chocolate offering that can either be savored slowly or, perhaps, as a session beer. It’s that versatile. I recommend this one, if for nothing other than you can say you drank seaweed. What a world!

500 ml, bbe Feb 2009. A hair shy of opaque black with a beautiful, creamy and lasting quarter-inch head. Aroma of charred wood, molasses, dry cocoa and cappuccino. Flavor is dark chocolate, spicy green hickory, charred wood, slight caramel and smoke. Medium-heavy body is extremely smooth, soft, slightly watery and dry.

Very attractive bottle (the label is especially nice). Beer pours dark brown with a small cappuccino head that vanishes almost instantly. Aroma is mainly a clean, nutty smell, with a slight hint of seaweed. The flavour is smoky, with a sweet after-taste. It has a reasonably heavy carbonated bite in the mouth, but is full and cool. Overall, a very well executed ale indeed. I would certainly buy it again; in fact, it has made my short list of favourite ales.

I met Bruce Williams, the brewer of this ale, at the Brickskeller in DC and we hung out like old pals. He gave a tasting one night with a very funny presentation about the history of Scotland and it’s ales. He is very serious about making historic ales using indigenous ingredients. This one using seaweed. The ale pours dark, and has a creamy blonde head. The malts are prevailant in the aroma, as is an earthy salty sea-like smell. Chocolate sweet malts mix with a cool flavor that I can only describe as fresh and salty. This is an excellent ale that I suggest you try and get a hold of. Don’t let the dark color fool you, this is light and refreshing, a very unique session ale. Re-rate 5/3/02: The bottle is equally enjoyable, a really great beer that you really should seek out.

Dark reddish beer with a distinct taste. I usually don’t care for high carbonation, but I enjoyed this very unique beer.

A quality, individual ale. A mild aftertaste of Scottish salt water, and a nice, thick, choclaty body.

very odd brew let me think on how to sum it up. aroma- chocolate smell with a hint of seaweed("hmm") appearance- dark ruby red with a very nice brown head that is lasting. Flavor- seaweed mixed with chocolate("unique") Palate- Chocolate taste. very good beer that i will try again.