Heather Ale
Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- Gruit / Ancient Herbed Ale
Ranked #33 - ABV:
- 4.75%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #38,674 - Avg:
- 3.51 | pDev: 15.1%
- Reviews:
- 6
- Ratings:
- From:
- Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 4
- Gots
- 0
SCORE
83
Good
83
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 6
| Ratings: 12
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Reviews by MasterSki:
MasterSki from Canada (ON)
3.95/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at Kuhnhenn. 4oz taster glass as part of a paddle. This batch was listed as 4.75%.
A - A finger of white foam settles to a thick collar and a few wisps of bubbles, leaving behind a few specks of lace. Transparent amber body.
S - Very odd. Is that the heather tips? In any case, very floral and perfume-laden. Malt character is heavy in caramel apples and toffee - the malt bill is that of a Scottish Ale, so this is unsurprising.
T - Taste is more traditional Scottish Ale (not the most hop-forward style). Toffee, fruity esters, a bit of honey-kissed grain, and a lightly floral finish. Minimal bitterness.
M - Slightly grainy medium-light body, zesty carbonation, and a somewhat tannic and dry finish.
D - This was interesting, and I'm guessing this new batch is superior to the one(s) previously reviewed. It was very easy to drink and the heather tips were distinct but not overpowering. Not something I'd want often, but a pretty enjoyable gruit.
Jun 16, 2011
3.95/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On-tap at Kuhnhenn. 4oz taster glass as part of a paddle. This batch was listed as 4.75%.
A - A finger of white foam settles to a thick collar and a few wisps of bubbles, leaving behind a few specks of lace. Transparent amber body.
S - Very odd. Is that the heather tips? In any case, very floral and perfume-laden. Malt character is heavy in caramel apples and toffee - the malt bill is that of a Scottish Ale, so this is unsurprising.
T - Taste is more traditional Scottish Ale (not the most hop-forward style). Toffee, fruity esters, a bit of honey-kissed grain, and a lightly floral finish. Minimal bitterness.
M - Slightly grainy medium-light body, zesty carbonation, and a somewhat tannic and dry finish.
D - This was interesting, and I'm guessing this new batch is superior to the one(s) previously reviewed. It was very easy to drink and the heather tips were distinct but not overpowering. Not something I'd want often, but a pretty enjoyable gruit.
Jun 16, 2011
More User Reviews:
marburg from Michigan
3.26/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This may have been a bad batch, because I just can't imagine this being exactly what they have done in the past. It certainly looked good, though -- reddish bronze, semi-hazed.
But as though this beer were out of some sort of Amish dairy, all I get in the aroma is butter. And more butter. And maybe some margarine. Olive oil. The expected floral and grassy nose and malt sweetness is completely subdued by butter.
Sweet butter flavors up front with a very mild plant-like bitterness and flower petal flavor in the mid-palate. Malty all the way through, and a bit of an astringent cottonmouth finish. But the diacetyl is an enjoyment killer.
You really can taste what this beer is trying to be underneath, and Kuhnhenn's has served slightly off batches in the past, so I wouldn't be shocked if this isn't the desired final product. I kind of hope that's the case, really. Only OK -- by their standards at the very least.
Sep 19, 2004
3.26/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This may have been a bad batch, because I just can't imagine this being exactly what they have done in the past. It certainly looked good, though -- reddish bronze, semi-hazed.
But as though this beer were out of some sort of Amish dairy, all I get in the aroma is butter. And more butter. And maybe some margarine. Olive oil. The expected floral and grassy nose and malt sweetness is completely subdued by butter.
Sweet butter flavors up front with a very mild plant-like bitterness and flower petal flavor in the mid-palate. Malty all the way through, and a bit of an astringent cottonmouth finish. But the diacetyl is an enjoyment killer.
You really can taste what this beer is trying to be underneath, and Kuhnhenn's has served slightly off batches in the past, so I wouldn't be shocked if this isn't the desired final product. I kind of hope that's the case, really. Only OK -- by their standards at the very least.
Sep 19, 2004
mentor from Colorado
3.46/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Thanks to trbeer for delivering this one. Pours a one-finger cream head over a rust colored liquid. The beer is cloudy with floating bits, as I accidentally poured the sediment from the bottle into the glass. Smells earthy and floral (roses) and has some sweet orange. Has a vienna malt sort of taste with a downward acidic pull. Very aromatic and interesting. Tastes potently sour tart. Starts with cherries and pineapple. Sour green apple. Then an earthy tartness. Acidic and metallic. Has a dry sweetness below the potent sour. Throughout, there is almost an oily feel in my mouth that correlates with a flower taste. You know how roses smell thats what the floral tastes like. Medium to medium-light mouthfeel and medium-heavy carbonation. I'm truly amazed they were able to capture the floral essence so well in smell and taste. If they could tame that sour, this would be a truly fantastic beer. As is, I had a hard time choking down the last gulp.
Jan 25, 2005
3.46/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Thanks to trbeer for delivering this one. Pours a one-finger cream head over a rust colored liquid. The beer is cloudy with floating bits, as I accidentally poured the sediment from the bottle into the glass. Smells earthy and floral (roses) and has some sweet orange. Has a vienna malt sort of taste with a downward acidic pull. Very aromatic and interesting. Tastes potently sour tart. Starts with cherries and pineapple. Sour green apple. Then an earthy tartness. Acidic and metallic. Has a dry sweetness below the potent sour. Throughout, there is almost an oily feel in my mouth that correlates with a flower taste. You know how roses smell thats what the floral tastes like. Medium to medium-light mouthfeel and medium-heavy carbonation. I'm truly amazed they were able to capture the floral essence so well in smell and taste. If they could tame that sour, this would be a truly fantastic beer. As is, I had a hard time choking down the last gulp.
Jan 25, 2005
murrayswine from Arizona
3.7/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this at the Great Taste of the Midwest.
Poured a hazy gold/straw with a thin head. Rather pretty on the eyes.
The smell is hugely perfumed but not medicinal. touch of jasmine, clove, terrigan, and straw. Slight hop.
Taste is overpowering, but delicious. The sweetness alonst goes full circle to take on a soap-like taste. Still, best I've had in style.
Finish was smoother than I expected, like a good Earl Grey tea.
Aug 12, 2006
3.7/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this at the Great Taste of the Midwest.
Poured a hazy gold/straw with a thin head. Rather pretty on the eyes.
The smell is hugely perfumed but not medicinal. touch of jasmine, clove, terrigan, and straw. Slight hop.
Taste is overpowering, but delicious. The sweetness alonst goes full circle to take on a soap-like taste. Still, best I've had in style.
Finish was smoother than I expected, like a good Earl Grey tea.
Aug 12, 2006
woosterbill from Kentucky
3.46/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at Barcade into a shaker pint.
A: Muddy brown body under a finger of fine light-brown foam. Ok retention, minimal lace. Kinda ugly.
S: Nutty, dry malt dominates, with some earthy, herbal heather playing a supporting role. Ok.
T: A bit fresher than the nose, but the malt really doesn't do much for me. It's lightly doughy, nutty, and musty; the heather provides some nice herbal overtones on the back end. Some sweetness creeps in on the aftertaste. Almost minty, too. It's weird, a little off-putting, and yet tasty.
M: Fairly light-bodied and lively. Good.
O: Interesting, strange beer. It's not as purely herbal as some Gruits I've had, but the malt didn't exactly wow me. I'd drink it again, but wouldn't go out of my way for it.
Cheers!
Oct 30, 2011
3.46/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On-tap at Barcade into a shaker pint.
A: Muddy brown body under a finger of fine light-brown foam. Ok retention, minimal lace. Kinda ugly.
S: Nutty, dry malt dominates, with some earthy, herbal heather playing a supporting role. Ok.
T: A bit fresher than the nose, but the malt really doesn't do much for me. It's lightly doughy, nutty, and musty; the heather provides some nice herbal overtones on the back end. Some sweetness creeps in on the aftertaste. Almost minty, too. It's weird, a little off-putting, and yet tasty.
M: Fairly light-bodied and lively. Good.
O: Interesting, strange beer. It's not as purely herbal as some Gruits I've had, but the malt didn't exactly wow me. I'd drink it again, but wouldn't go out of my way for it.
Cheers!
Oct 30, 2011
jale from Michigan
3.03/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had on tap at the Shark club in Howell.
A: Pours a clear light brown with a quarter of off white head.
S: Floral aroma and not much else.
T: Sweet malt upfront and finishing with a floral hop bitterness.
M; Thicker side of light with average carbonation.
O: Just OK for me.
Aug 09, 2011
3.03/5 rDev -13.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Had on tap at the Shark club in Howell.
A: Pours a clear light brown with a quarter of off white head.
S: Floral aroma and not much else.
T: Sweet malt upfront and finishing with a floral hop bitterness.
M; Thicker side of light with average carbonation.
O: Just OK for me.
Aug 09, 2011
Heather Ale from Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
12 ratings
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