Heather Ales Fraoch (Bottle)

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

331ml bottle from my "Historic Ales of Scotland" pack from the LCBO. Pours a pure copper colour with a small white head. The aroma is very nutty, with a touch of something strange in it, but very faintly and subtly. The flavour is much the same, but with more of the strange subtle flavour, that I guess is from the heather flowers. It’s surprisingly fresh tasting considering it’s an import. The finish is actually quite interesting, a little sweet bite on the tip of my tounge, not so much malty, most likely the heather flowers? It’s actually the most pleasant and interesting aspect of this beer. Lighter mouth-feel than I was expecting. Over-all an interesting brew, very enjoyable, but I wish the flavours were a tad stronger, as it seems a bit subdued. Good stuff though.

This is the first traditional ale Ive had that is at a normal alcohol level. Aroma and taste are both rreally floral.

A pretty good beer, goes well with spicy foods like the description says. The beer has a strangely bitter flavor that I guess comes from the heather. Tastes different than most other beers. Highly carbonated and light bodied. Easy to drink.

Poured from a bottle a rich tawny-copper body with a medium sized foamy white head. Nose of sweet fruitiness and malts. Creamy and light bodied. Herbal heather sweetness resonates in palate. very easy to drink. Fruity citrusy notes compliment the peaty and malty esters. finished dry and rich.

Bottle. Poured hazy yellow with a lasting medium white head. Slight floral aroma. Medium body with a malty backbone and cittusy notes. Light finish but rather pleasing withal. Is this what ale was like before hops?

330 mL bottle. Hazy orange-copper in colour with just a ring of head. The aroma is sharp; alcohol, herbs & spices, and even a bit of malt in there. The herbs and spices are present in the taste as well, along with honey and sweet malt. Short, dry finish.

Pours clear goldy orange with little head. Smell is extremely reminiscent of the pumpkin ale I had last week -- so much so that I’m not sure which smells like which. Cream soda also -- the aroma is very sweet. The beer is quite refreshing. Starts with sweet caramel, progresses through a strong offering of (I guess) heather flavour (quite good), and finishes with a lovely dose of hops which sticks on the dry palate it leaves. Medium body. Nice.

pours cloudy amber-orange with a small white head. smell is faint, floral, grain, some sweetness, and a bit of fruit. taste is spice, oily, sweet, herbs, malts this beer is very smooth and goes down easily, a flavor I’ve never really had before but will definitely have again.