Fraoch Heather Ale | Williams Brothers Brewing Company
YOUR RATING = None |
Brewed by:
Williams Brothers Brewing Company
United Kingdom (Scotland) | website
Style: Scottish Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Brewed in Scotland since 2000 B.C. heather ale is probably the oldest style of ale still produced in the world. From an ancient Gaelic recipe for "leann fraoich" (heather ale) it has been revived and reintroduced to the Scottish culture. Into the boiling bree of malted barley, sweet gale and flowering heather are added, then after cooling slightly the hot ale is poured into a vat of fresh heather flowers where it infuses for an hour before being fermented.
Added by purplehops on 10-06-1998
Reviews: 718 | Ratings: 1,128
4.65/5 rDev +24%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured a cloudy golden body with no head to see. Overall impression of appearance is of an nice light ale. Scents of heather flowers and general floral aromas, light sweet malt and honey aromas and a backing of peat moss, a touch of grainy malt and a faint hint of mineral water. Overall impression of aroma is of a nice floral beer with a more pronounced malty aroma than modern style ales due to use of flowers instead of hops. A nice gruit, true to ancient Gaelic origins. Flavor begins floral, with flavors of heather mingling with lightly sweet malt and honey flavors and a grainy malt at moderate levels. Middle adds a further level of grainy malt and light honey sweetness mingling with floral flavors that provide bittering to balance the malt character. Finish is dry with floral heather flavors and grainy malt backed by very light honey and sweet malt to provide balance. Aftertaste is dry, grainy malt and floral heather. Overall impression of flavor is of a very nice, flavorful beer. It is full and malty but balanced with a pleasant floral character and dryness that make it quite pleasing. The use of flowers over hops makes the flavor unique, though to compare it to a modern style it would be most similar to the clean, bright, malty and floral character of a German Pilsner, despite being an ale. Mouthfeel is medium-light bodied and smooth, with a creamy character at the finish and medium-high carbonation. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a nicely light, refreshing beer, something many of these ancient styles have in common. Overall this is an excellent take on the ancient gruit. A lovely aroma gives way to an excellent clean flavor and a refreshing mouthfeel, the sort of beer to drink when clean water wasn't available and flavor was desired.
★ 1,775 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured a cloudy golden body with no head to see. Overall impression of appearance is of an nice light ale. Scents of heather flowers and general floral aromas, light sweet malt and honey aromas and a backing of peat moss, a touch of grainy malt and a faint hint of mineral water. Overall impression of aroma is of a nice floral beer with a more pronounced malty aroma than modern style ales due to use of flowers instead of hops. A nice gruit, true to ancient Gaelic origins. Flavor begins floral, with flavors of heather mingling with lightly sweet malt and honey flavors and a grainy malt at moderate levels. Middle adds a further level of grainy malt and light honey sweetness mingling with floral flavors that provide bittering to balance the malt character. Finish is dry with floral heather flavors and grainy malt backed by very light honey and sweet malt to provide balance. Aftertaste is dry, grainy malt and floral heather. Overall impression of flavor is of a very nice, flavorful beer. It is full and malty but balanced with a pleasant floral character and dryness that make it quite pleasing. The use of flowers over hops makes the flavor unique, though to compare it to a modern style it would be most similar to the clean, bright, malty and floral character of a German Pilsner, despite being an ale. Mouthfeel is medium-light bodied and smooth, with a creamy character at the finish and medium-high carbonation. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a nicely light, refreshing beer, something many of these ancient styles have in common. Overall this is an excellent take on the ancient gruit. A lovely aroma gives way to an excellent clean flavor and a refreshing mouthfeel, the sort of beer to drink when clean water wasn't available and flavor was desired.
★ 1,775 characters
4.03/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
So, this is what my father's ancient ancestors drank !
The Williams Brothers should be commended for keeping alive this style and others lost to history.
Not being a fan of lots of hops, keep trying those different spices !
I note when a beer is listed in one of three books comprising my classical beer education.
"1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die", page 882. The reviewer claims it goes with rich and spicy food. I think I will test the spice.
★ 448 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
So, this is what my father's ancient ancestors drank !
The Williams Brothers should be commended for keeping alive this style and others lost to history.
Not being a fan of lots of hops, keep trying those different spices !
I note when a beer is listed in one of three books comprising my classical beer education.
"1001 Beers To Taste Before You Die", page 882. The reviewer claims it goes with rich and spicy food. I think I will test the spice.
★ 448 characters
3.85/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The beer doesn't pour a lot of head and seems to be very lightly carbonated but what head does form is very white and creamy. The beer itself is a cloudy pale gold that is actually nice to look at. At the very least, it definitely looks like an ale.
The smell is very nice and subdued. It doesn't have the super bitterness of an ale but it's spices and ingredients make for a very alluring smell. The heather is definitely front and forward while surrounded by a very nice sweet malt note. There is a definite overall floral note to this beer.
The taste has the same floral note created by the heather and malt note. There is also a slight bitterness to it as well that isn't found in the smell.
The feel is very good and very drinkable. It's a light bodied beer but on the heavier side. The beer seems to go down with a nice creamy texture. The carbonation is very light and almost non-existent but is enough to add a little texture to it.
Overall, a good beer and one definitely one to have at least once. It's definitely a unique style that isn't very common but still makes for a good drinking experience. Get it and enjoy it.
★ 1,135 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The beer doesn't pour a lot of head and seems to be very lightly carbonated but what head does form is very white and creamy. The beer itself is a cloudy pale gold that is actually nice to look at. At the very least, it definitely looks like an ale.
The smell is very nice and subdued. It doesn't have the super bitterness of an ale but it's spices and ingredients make for a very alluring smell. The heather is definitely front and forward while surrounded by a very nice sweet malt note. There is a definite overall floral note to this beer.
The taste has the same floral note created by the heather and malt note. There is also a slight bitterness to it as well that isn't found in the smell.
The feel is very good and very drinkable. It's a light bodied beer but on the heavier side. The beer seems to go down with a nice creamy texture. The carbonation is very light and almost non-existent but is enough to add a little texture to it.
Overall, a good beer and one definitely one to have at least once. It's definitely a unique style that isn't very common but still makes for a good drinking experience. Get it and enjoy it.
★ 1,135 characters
3.63/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pale yellow colour. Tight, frothy head.
Floral aroma with a hint of malt and honey.
Spicy malt taste.
Quite light and easy to drink if a bit unusual.
★ 150 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pale yellow colour. Tight, frothy head.
Floral aroma with a hint of malt and honey.
Spicy malt taste.
Quite light and easy to drink if a bit unusual.
★ 150 characters
4.53/5 rDev +20.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Look: Poured into a Propolis tulip glass. Golden orange like honey, hundreds of floaters. It's almost like staring into a galaxy, where the floaters are stars.
Smell: Wheaty biscuits, honey, some sort of floral scent, and marmalade.
Taste: Same as above.
Feel: Super creamy, light body and carbonation. Slight bitterness and sweetness.
Overall: Strangely pleasant and appealing. I didn't know what I was going to expect, but this surprised me in a good way.
★ 462 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Look: Poured into a Propolis tulip glass. Golden orange like honey, hundreds of floaters. It's almost like staring into a galaxy, where the floaters are stars.
Smell: Wheaty biscuits, honey, some sort of floral scent, and marmalade.
Taste: Same as above.
Feel: Super creamy, light body and carbonation. Slight bitterness and sweetness.
Overall: Strangely pleasant and appealing. I didn't know what I was going to expect, but this surprised me in a good way.
★ 462 characters
4.25/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: this pours brilliant gold under a 1” white foam cap. S: This does smell herbal, I can get some pine but I do not remember what heather smells like. T: It has a spicy palate suggesting a spiced cola. F: Medium body and carbonation. O: An interesting, spicy beer.
★ 266 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: this pours brilliant gold under a 1” white foam cap. S: This does smell herbal, I can get some pine but I do not remember what heather smells like. T: It has a spicy palate suggesting a spiced cola. F: Medium body and carbonation. O: An interesting, spicy beer.
★ 266 characters
4/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy golden colour with small off-white head that last a couple of seconds with a thin lacing. Aroma is floral and malty, hints of spicy. Taste is also floral and a bit hoppy and sweet, hints of burned sugar. Low carbonation and medium body with a sweet finish.
★ 261 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Hazy golden colour with small off-white head that last a couple of seconds with a thin lacing. Aroma is floral and malty, hints of spicy. Taste is also floral and a bit hoppy and sweet, hints of burned sugar. Low carbonation and medium body with a sweet finish.
★ 261 characters
3.27/5 rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
500 ml bottle into a tulip.
Pours a very clear golden yellow, with a small head and some lacing. Smell seems to be primarily the malted barley (?), earthy. Also grass, floral aromas. More floral as it warms. Taste is less earthy, the barley is more malty and a little sweet. Overall floral taste, some bitterness starting midway. Fairly smooth, does not leave a great aftertaste.
My first of the style and I'll try others, but this was not to my tastes. Must be a good example of the style, it seems well liked.
★ 522 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
500 ml bottle into a tulip.
Pours a very clear golden yellow, with a small head and some lacing. Smell seems to be primarily the malted barley (?), earthy. Also grass, floral aromas. More floral as it warms. Taste is less earthy, the barley is more malty and a little sweet. Overall floral taste, some bitterness starting midway. Fairly smooth, does not leave a great aftertaste.
My first of the style and I'll try others, but this was not to my tastes. Must be a good example of the style, it seems well liked.
★ 522 characters
4.15/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a pear colored light and slightly cloudy color with a minimal head that U icily disapates into a thin frothy lace.
At first, the nose is grassy. Then it becomes sweet with a unique fruity aroma kind of like wild berries. the aroma is also earthy; herbal and floral.
Mostly sweet taste; some fruit, malt forward. However, the finish is more herbal and tea like. It leaves a nice lingering slightly bitter and dry aftertaste. It helps to balance out the beer. Nice light mouthfeel and easily drinkable. I drank it quite fast!
This is my first sampling of this style. I think it is a very interesting and unique style and one that I want to get to know more of.
★ 664 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a pear colored light and slightly cloudy color with a minimal head that U icily disapates into a thin frothy lace.
At first, the nose is grassy. Then it becomes sweet with a unique fruity aroma kind of like wild berries. the aroma is also earthy; herbal and floral.
Mostly sweet taste; some fruit, malt forward. However, the finish is more herbal and tea like. It leaves a nice lingering slightly bitter and dry aftertaste. It helps to balance out the beer. Nice light mouthfeel and easily drinkable. I drank it quite fast!
This is my first sampling of this style. I think it is a very interesting and unique style and one that I want to get to know more of.
★ 664 characters
4.99/5 rDev +33.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is by far my favorite beer of all time. It's made from a recipe from thousands of years ago. It's what a good beer would have been like around 500A.D. And it still stands true till today.
★ 192 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is by far my favorite beer of all time. It's made from a recipe from thousands of years ago. It's what a good beer would have been like around 500A.D. And it still stands true till today.
★ 192 characters
4.03/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Light straw golden, like a hazy lager. Lots of carbonation.
S: Straw, sweet malts, grassy, slight spice.
T: So unusual. Sweet, honey malts with grass and herbs. I can taste a lot of rosemary, pine and some black pepper. It's got an odd spicy quality which cuts through the herby profile very well. There's some ginger in there, which adds to the spice a lot. As I drink more, this spiciness becomes more pronounced and nuanced. There's a taste (and a smell) which I can't describe; I assume that must be the heather. It finishes dry with a hoppy profile and more spice.
M: Medium to thin body with a good amount of carbonation and a dry finish.
O: A very interesting and very tasty beer. I'd like to try more beers with this profile. I could drink a lot of this.
★ 769 characters
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A: Light straw golden, like a hazy lager. Lots of carbonation.
S: Straw, sweet malts, grassy, slight spice.
T: So unusual. Sweet, honey malts with grass and herbs. I can taste a lot of rosemary, pine and some black pepper. It's got an odd spicy quality which cuts through the herby profile very well. There's some ginger in there, which adds to the spice a lot. As I drink more, this spiciness becomes more pronounced and nuanced. There's a taste (and a smell) which I can't describe; I assume that must be the heather. It finishes dry with a hoppy profile and more spice.
M: Medium to thin body with a good amount of carbonation and a dry finish.
O: A very interesting and very tasty beer. I'd like to try more beers with this profile. I could drink a lot of this.
★ 769 characters
2.64/5 rDev -29.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Kind of a peach color with a thin white head. Not a very appealing color for a beer, but I'm keeping an open mind on this one.
Smells kind of like dried fruit and some malty sweetness. It smells a bit sour
The taste is very light and hard to nail down. Kind of fruity and kind of sour. I kind of get the floral profile, but it's not what I expected.
I wanted to give this beer a chance since it's a unique style, but I was not a big fan of it. This is the only fraoch I've had, so I can't really say that it's bad for the style, but in general doesn't appeal to my taste.
★ 574 characters
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Kind of a peach color with a thin white head. Not a very appealing color for a beer, but I'm keeping an open mind on this one.
Smells kind of like dried fruit and some malty sweetness. It smells a bit sour
The taste is very light and hard to nail down. Kind of fruity and kind of sour. I kind of get the floral profile, but it's not what I expected.
I wanted to give this beer a chance since it's a unique style, but I was not a big fan of it. This is the only fraoch I've had, so I can't really say that it's bad for the style, but in general doesn't appeal to my taste.
★ 574 characters
3.67/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The beer is golden in color maybe light copper. Yeah, more light copper color. The head is white and frivolous. It disappear quickly. On the smell, its fruity, some sugar and a little sour. Nice smell. The intensity of the smell is medium.
In the mouth, its somewhat sour but the taste is quite light. Almost watery. Not much taste here. Its very timid on the taste side.
Effervescent. Light body in the mouth.
Overall, a good beer.
★ 435 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The beer is golden in color maybe light copper. Yeah, more light copper color. The head is white and frivolous. It disappear quickly. On the smell, its fruity, some sugar and a little sour. Nice smell. The intensity of the smell is medium.
In the mouth, its somewhat sour but the taste is quite light. Almost watery. Not much taste here. Its very timid on the taste side.
Effervescent. Light body in the mouth.
Overall, a good beer.
★ 435 characters
3.36/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
This ale poured hazy golden colour with a thin white head. The nose is really subtle, maybe some corn and malt but not much else. There is some sweetness on the tongue, maybe caramel and malt, as well as a bit of graininess. Not much else. I don't really even get the heather that it's said its made with. Reminds me a bit of a standard light lager and I was expecting something a bit more floral.
★ 402 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
This ale poured hazy golden colour with a thin white head. The nose is really subtle, maybe some corn and malt but not much else. There is some sweetness on the tongue, maybe caramel and malt, as well as a bit of graininess. Not much else. I don't really even get the heather that it's said its made with. Reminds me a bit of a standard light lager and I was expecting something a bit more floral.
★ 402 characters
2.84/5 rDev -24.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
A: [3.75] Light gold to straw color. Beer is transparent and forms a small 1/2 finger head. The bubbles on the head are medium sized with some larger ones on the top. The head dissipates quickly. The bottle lists the ABV at 5.5% and the best by date (MAR 2016).
S: [2.75] Has the smell of an American Adjunct Lager. Sweet corn type smell.
T: [2.75] The taste follows the nose but with a dab if spice up front. The bottle says it has heather flower - maybe the taste I am getting is heather flower? (never really had a heather flower before).
M: [3.00] It is a tad watery and has medium carbonation. There is a lingering taste on the palate that is nice.
O: [2.75] Nothing to make this one stand out. It is just okay at best. I had some hopes for it to be a winner but it is not doing it for me. The nose and the taste are just slightly different than Bud (that is not a compliment).
★ 898 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
A: [3.75] Light gold to straw color. Beer is transparent and forms a small 1/2 finger head. The bubbles on the head are medium sized with some larger ones on the top. The head dissipates quickly. The bottle lists the ABV at 5.5% and the best by date (MAR 2016).
S: [2.75] Has the smell of an American Adjunct Lager. Sweet corn type smell.
T: [2.75] The taste follows the nose but with a dab if spice up front. The bottle says it has heather flower - maybe the taste I am getting is heather flower? (never really had a heather flower before).
M: [3.00] It is a tad watery and has medium carbonation. There is a lingering taste on the palate that is nice.
O: [2.75] Nothing to make this one stand out. It is just okay at best. I had some hopes for it to be a winner but it is not doing it for me. The nose and the taste are just slightly different than Bud (that is not a compliment).
★ 898 characters
3.03/5 rDev -19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Smells and tastes not far from light perfumy lager. Disappointing. Check out Williams' March of the Penguins though - one of the best stouts I've tried.
★ 152 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Smells and tastes not far from light perfumy lager. Disappointing. Check out Williams' March of the Penguins though - one of the best stouts I've tried.
★ 152 characters
3.91/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours an almost clear deep straw/pale gold producing a rapidly diminishing, foamy, white head that leaves streaks, strings, webs & motes of lace. Aroma is pale malt, honey, faint nuts, grain, floral/herbal & a hint of sourness. Taste is light but not watery: malt, honey, floral, caramel, fruitiness with a grain, herbal, floral, dry finish. Aftertaste is dry, fruity & floral. No hops in it and no hop character. I have no idea what heather smells or tastes like so I have no basis to determine if I detect it in either the nose or mouth. Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with moderate carbonation, light but silky & juicy becoming becoming very dry at the end. Unique & oh so drinkable.
★ 688 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours an almost clear deep straw/pale gold producing a rapidly diminishing, foamy, white head that leaves streaks, strings, webs & motes of lace. Aroma is pale malt, honey, faint nuts, grain, floral/herbal & a hint of sourness. Taste is light but not watery: malt, honey, floral, caramel, fruitiness with a grain, herbal, floral, dry finish. Aftertaste is dry, fruity & floral. No hops in it and no hop character. I have no idea what heather smells or tastes like so I have no basis to determine if I detect it in either the nose or mouth. Mouthfeel is light-medium bodied with moderate carbonation, light but silky & juicy becoming becoming very dry at the end. Unique & oh so drinkable.
★ 688 characters
3.54/5 rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Purchased as part of a mixed 4pk called Historic ales of Scotland. Served at 4deg C in a draught glass
A- Opens well but pours no head or any film at all. Cloudy and gold colored
S- Not a lot here. Not much at all. Some berry hints but not much of it
T- Pretty usual which is a nice break but not a beer that has anything to remember. Just a water, alcohol and sugar mix. Mead like
M- Dry and crisp
O- Not much cup of tea. Don't much care for it. Guest material.
Food Pairing
This ok beer went well with....... Boiled hot dogs with various mustards, sauerkraut on a nice whole wheat bun.
Enjoy
★ 601 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Purchased as part of a mixed 4pk called Historic ales of Scotland. Served at 4deg C in a draught glass
A- Opens well but pours no head or any film at all. Cloudy and gold colored
S- Not a lot here. Not much at all. Some berry hints but not much of it
T- Pretty usual which is a nice break but not a beer that has anything to remember. Just a water, alcohol and sugar mix. Mead like
M- Dry and crisp
O- Not much cup of tea. Don't much care for it. Guest material.
Food Pairing
This ok beer went well with....... Boiled hot dogs with various mustards, sauerkraut on a nice whole wheat bun.
Enjoy
★ 601 characters
3.7/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark straw in color. Earthy nose. Grainy with a mild flavor profile. The body was fairly light but substantial enough to make for an enjoyable drinking experience.
Interesting from a historical perspective but that’s about it.
★ 233 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark straw in color. Earthy nose. Grainy with a mild flavor profile. The body was fairly light but substantial enough to make for an enjoyable drinking experience.
Interesting from a historical perspective but that’s about it.
★ 233 characters
3.42/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
I'm Scottish, my sister's name is Heather for the "heather on the hill." I really wanted to enjoy this beer. But I did not. I love that they tried to revive this style but I did not care for it. Gave it some bonus points overall for uniqueness.
★ 248 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
I'm Scottish, my sister's name is Heather for the "heather on the hill." I really wanted to enjoy this beer. But I did not. I love that they tried to revive this style but I did not care for it. Gave it some bonus points overall for uniqueness.
★ 248 characters
4.27/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25
A hop free beer, a wonderful beer, very subtle. at the first sip your tongue will most likely be confused, don't worry this is quite normal. this is most likely your first time drinking a hop free beer. the Heather flavor is Heavenly and sublime( if you don't know what heather is look it up) and the fog often mentioned in literature is still present(a sudden sleepiness caused by certain fungi that grow on wild heather). if drank with food stick to something mild that will not overpower the floral goodness of this brew
★ 523 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25
A hop free beer, a wonderful beer, very subtle. at the first sip your tongue will most likely be confused, don't worry this is quite normal. this is most likely your first time drinking a hop free beer. the Heather flavor is Heavenly and sublime( if you don't know what heather is look it up) and the fog often mentioned in literature is still present(a sudden sleepiness caused by certain fungi that grow on wild heather). if drank with food stick to something mild that will not overpower the floral goodness of this brew
★ 523 characters
3.1/5 rDev -17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance is not far off from a Hefe-Weizen. Pale golden color, hazy, white head. Things differ thereafter. Clean nose, light citrus. Light malt flavor with delicate hops, clean, light, drinkable. Some light floral qualities noted. Beer is easily overpowered with foods.
★ 277 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance is not far off from a Hefe-Weizen. Pale golden color, hazy, white head. Things differ thereafter. Clean nose, light citrus. Light malt flavor with delicate hops, clean, light, drinkable. Some light floral qualities noted. Beer is easily overpowered with foods.
★ 277 characters
3.72/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Crap, I hate having to re-add a review that I didn't save.
Anyway, a good looking beer with a large firm rocky tan head with dripping lacing. Body is a mostly clear amber of orange.
Tight aroma with an aqueous quality and soft flowery aroma. Unfortunately, a bit of oxidation on this bottle. A nice graininess appears as it warms.
Highlights for flavor are an interesting sweetness up front and an unique drying on the finish. Additionally there is a nice grittiness in the middle with a soft spiciness and herbal taste.
Quite thin emphasized by the low carbonation. However, drinkability is quite high.
This was good and interesting. I'll search for a fresher bottle next time.
★ 684 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Crap, I hate having to re-add a review that I didn't save.
Anyway, a good looking beer with a large firm rocky tan head with dripping lacing. Body is a mostly clear amber of orange.
Tight aroma with an aqueous quality and soft flowery aroma. Unfortunately, a bit of oxidation on this bottle. A nice graininess appears as it warms.
Highlights for flavor are an interesting sweetness up front and an unique drying on the finish. Additionally there is a nice grittiness in the middle with a soft spiciness and herbal taste.
Quite thin emphasized by the low carbonation. However, drinkability is quite high.
This was good and interesting. I'll search for a fresher bottle next time.
★ 684 characters
4.15/5 rDev +10.7%
From a 330 ml bottle into an imperial pint glass
A: pours a dark brownish burnt orange with a nice 1 finger head, and lots of sediment
S: earthy flowers (heather?) with a tinge of dull earthy sweetness
T: thin grainy dry maltiness followed by herbal tea notes with some honey and flowery sweetness. really nice finish with a tiny spicy kick.
M: fairly lively for style, light, not much body, refreshing. even better as it warms a bit.
Overall, this is really good gruit. I'd drink it again, without hesitation.
★ 513 characters
From a 330 ml bottle into an imperial pint glass
A: pours a dark brownish burnt orange with a nice 1 finger head, and lots of sediment
S: earthy flowers (heather?) with a tinge of dull earthy sweetness
T: thin grainy dry maltiness followed by herbal tea notes with some honey and flowery sweetness. really nice finish with a tiny spicy kick.
M: fairly lively for style, light, not much body, refreshing. even better as it warms a bit.
Overall, this is really good gruit. I'd drink it again, without hesitation.
★ 513 characters
Fraoch Heather Ale from Williams Brothers Brewing Company
85
out of 100
based on 718 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours golden with a medium head, large bubbles, just a touch of lacing. Nose is floral, obviously, but a surprisingly nice floral, more like very floral hops than just heather. Taste is like a solid traditional bitter with light fruit and floral undertones. Mouthfeel is medium-light, crisp.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought this would be lousy, but I quite liked it.
★ 387 characters