Heather Ales Fraoch (Bottle)

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

The aroma is very malty and has a small about of floral aroma. The appearance is a hazy golden yellow with a very small head and very lightly carbonated. The flavor is as malty as the aroma and has a smokey - earthy flavor along with a slight bitterness from the heather. Palate is just about right. Overall this is a very easy drinking ale and worth a try.

(Bottle, White Horse, Parson’s Green, London 27 Apr) Amber colour, slightly hazy, with a short, frothy, off-white head. Fruity, floral nose dominated by heather, honey an bog myrtle. Fruity, spicy taste with heather, herbs and honey. Rather sweet, extremely herbal. Not really balanced, but definitely interesting.

(500 ml bottle v. 330 ml bottle) I’m doing a side-by-side comparison of Heather Ale. The first bottle, 500 ml, was purchased in Scotland and brought to me as a gift. The second bottle, 330 ml, was part of the 4-bottle "Historic Ales from Scotland" giftpack. I didn’t expect there to be any difference, but just pouring the beers reveals much difference right off the bat. First, the single bottle brought back from Scotland. It pours a bright amber/orange color and is fairly cloudy. It has a large white head that gradually settles to a thin, but complete layer on top. The aroma is intensely spicy and very fresh, and while herbal could also be used to describe the aroma, I think spicy is better. As spicy as the nose it, the flavor is even moreso, and it lasts long into the finish. The mildly sweet malt base is pretty light, and a bit grainy, but it’s pretty inconsequential compared to the dominant spiciness. Light to medium in body, with a palate that is clean from the spice, but not crisp or bitter. In contrast, the giftpack bottle pours much darker, kind of a murky light brown color and is much more cloudy. The off-white head pours small and dissipates rapidly. The aroma is spicy and a bit grainy, but the spices don’t smell nearly as fresh or intense. The flavor is also less spicy and there is less crispness to the individual flavors. Clearly, the bottle brought back from Scotland is much better, and that is what my ratings are based on. It’s an interesting beer, very unique, but ultimately not something I’d be inclinded to buy again.

Pours an apple juice color with hardly any head. Aroma is mainly flowery maltyness. Fairly thin and light. Seems watered down almost. Earthy malt touch, slight herbal aspect. Bit appley, with a later nutty toffee-like sweet hint. Has a light finish. Too thin, not impressive. If the flavors were fuller and the finish was more apparent it would be much better.

The pour is a clear deep orange or amber, if you so desire, the head is a creamy beige, fair lace. Nose is earthy, heather, peat like tones also present. Front somewhat sweet, the top light, the finish is lightly carbonated, dry, a different taste, not unpleasant, but I miss the hops, and the bite, but still for something different, give it a try.

The initial bottle aroma is almost bock-malty and raisin. That quickly fades to a yeasty malt aroma. Good label, light, hazy off-gold color. Dry, a little cidery, perhaps herb bittered. Flat and light bodied. Long, light indistinct hop finish. I was hoping for something more distinctive. Disappointing.

Very unassertive and boring aroma. Slight flowers, thats mostly it. Mostly similar taste, with a touch of corn. Really, it doesn’t taste like anything. Very drinkable and no off flavors, though.

500ml bottle. Vivid amber in colour with a small, tight white head and moderate carbonation. Aroma of honey, spring moorland flowers and an unusual bitter, woody herbal edge, almost thyme-like. Flavour was big, with lashings of heather honey, spicy fruit and a long, astringent finish. A pleasant change.