Fraoch Heather Ale - Williams Brothers Brewing Company

aranheaney

New York

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Mikey Peppers (and his hop allergy) for sharing this at HLMC Poker Night on 2-18-12 rumor had it that his lovely wife gave it to him for a Valentines Gift...

Poured from a Pint Bottle (best by January 2012) into an (all-together now RED SOLO CUP)...

A-Golden semitransparent nectar

S-Definitely the heather is present, reminds me a bit of Drambuie

T-very nice, crisp with a great deal of complexity

M-decent, nice amount of carbonation

O-very interesting, not something that I would seek out, but a different experience, thanks for sharing Mikey, sorry about the hops issue...

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 22:44:43 | More by aranheaney

horshack7

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear brassy and copperish the head is maybe an inch tall which thins out quick.

Aroma: Cinnamon, allspice, bits of clove, nutmeg and floral hops with a dryness in the nose.

Taste: Lots of cinnamon, cloves, some allspice as well as nutmeg. The mouthfeel is crisp that has a malty bite.

Notes: It's tasty and very drinkable. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 00:51:03 | More by horshack7

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 1.5" off-white head. The body is a clear straw yellow and it exhausts all the effervescence into that small head. I'd expect some sort of heather smell but really I'm getting very little smell off it, just a faintest herbal essence. The taste is also very mild, both a little sweet and a little sour, faintly herbal, maybe even a little cynar. The body is light. Sweetness persists in the finish. I expected more heather in the heather ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 03:31:15 | More by MoreThanWine

Cozzatoad

Italy

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle, sampled yesterday and labeled best before nov 2011. Smell and flavours were still fresh with no major issues detectable, but take this review with a pinch of salt

A- Dark golden/light orange, sligthly hazy and bright at the same time. Nice amount of head that quickly reduces to about 1/2 finger, though it then shows good retention. Nice lacing on the glass

S- Very sweet caramel and honey malts with a touch of spiciness (esters?). Quite strong herbal and flowery (can't define them better) feel from the herbs. Overall the sweet part is still dominant

T- Malts are again strongly sweet with grainy and honey notes. Grassy and herbal (heather i guess) notes are easily detectable and have a bit of tea-like quality. Some light citric notes may be detected on the tongue. Overall, the herbs bring very little bitterness (just enough to avoid cloying sweetness); the beer is overall very sweet. Maybe the slightest hint of spiciness. A slightly vinous aftertaste reminds of white grapes

M- Light bodied with medium carbonation. Overall a smooth, juicy/syrupy mouthfeel, expecially on the tongue. Somehow manages to end quite dry bringing a refreshing touch

O- I expected a peculiar/unique beer but i actually found a nice, simple, very refreshing pale ale, that was just a bit more on the herbal side than usual. Overall a pleasant beer

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 14:03:52 | More by Cozzatoad

TTAmod

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

33 cL bottle poured into pint glass.

A: Pours a hazy orange with a small white head. Retention is good for the head it has, though.

S: Smells of heavy fruit (grape?), grass, herbs, grains, and flowers.

T: Taste is pleasant. Very light fruit taste at the beginning, reminiscent of white grape. Light oak and herbs come after that. Finally, there is a really pleasant flowery aftertaste that leaves a bit of a plant-like bitter taste and a kiss of alcohol.

M: Pretty light and bubbly. It's not quite like a geueze or anything like that, but gives off a similar vibe. Perhaps a bit thicker than that.

O: Drinkibility is really, really good with this one. The taste is pretty much awesome. Pretty much right as I'd expect with the style. The flowers and fruit sweetness are pretty well balanced and the oak and herbs add depth. Complex, yet easy to drink.

Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 04:20:16 | More by TTAmod

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 330ml. bottle, best before Aug. 2012.

Appearance: A cloudy banana-orange body with a healthy head but does go to a thin ring rather fast.

Smell: Sea salt, herbs, flower petals and some honey.

Taste: Herb leaves, mild mint, plant roots and some citrus fruit.

Mouthfeel: Refreshing, airy and light but i found it lacking after the initial gulp.

Overall: An interesting beer but not enough to sustain my interest.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 03:26:17 | More by papat444

chinchill

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle dated “best before” April 2012. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a dark golden-yellow with a smallish off-white head. Head dies back to a ring and partial coat within a few minutes but leaves some lacing. There’s a small amount of sediment at the bottom of the bottle; I added this mid-taste, producing a slight amplification of the fine flavor.

For once, the description on the label of this beer’s sensory properties seem on target. It "has a distinctive floral aroma” and a “dry wine-like finish”. Malt is clearly evident in both aroma and taste, but not quite as rich or pronounced as the “full malt character” on the label might lead one to expect. Floral throughout, including the aftertaste, this beer leans towards sweet, which seems in keeping with the floral flavor profile. Still, it smells sweeter than it tastes. The rather light and dry mouthfeel also work integrate nicely to produce a very refined and distinctive sensory experience from an ancient ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 01:29:38 | More by chinchill

notchucknorris

California

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Hazy light golden color with a 1/2 finger bone white head.

S: Big herbal smell with some oak, honey and a touch of caramel. Something about the smell reminds me of hiking in the hills around LA. Something very desert shrub-like about it. I've never smelled heather before, but I'm guessing that's what it is.

T: Slightly oaky flavor with some pale malt and a nice herbal sweetness. I didn't think I was going to like this beer very much but it was actually pretty tasty. Light with some good flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 19:35:26 | More by notchucknorris

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Brown bottle. Best before date is an optimistic March 2013
Served in a nonic tumbler
Pours a amber honey color with a fast-fading white head.
Catch the aroma fast because the pleasant whiff of flowers rises and disappears in a hurry. A lingering dry grassy malty smell melds with a faint woody nose.
The malty flavor is clean and honey sweet. A taste of the flowers blend with a bit of a tart fruit and mild lime taste. A dose of herbs can be detected with a little effort.
The finish is clean and dry. Just a whiff of alcohol is noticed.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 22:53:21 | More by BeerResearcher

WVbeergeek

Ohio

2.9/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appears a pale copper hue with a bright white head forming thick, fine speckled lacing left behind on the sides of my chalice. Aroma spicy herbal, floral notes upfront with the heather additions, sweet caramel malt base with minimal to no hops. I'm pretty sure most of their brews are ancient gruit ales. Also in the nose is a strong honey like note from the malt profile, I know there's no actual honey but I'm getting a light generic fruitiness with a strong presence of rich honey. Flavor is spicy with a long dry finish, upfront light fruit a touch of honey and caramel malts dance around with floral/spicy heather and floral additions. Mouthfeel is lighter bodied with a mellow carbonation level, actually is pretty unremarkable. Overall a beer that just doesn't excite definitely not worth it for a ten dollar four pack thus far.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 18:49:46 | More by WVbeergeek

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from the LCBO giftpack, 330ml into a tulip. Best before November 2012.

Pours a hazy burnt orange, fairly aggressive pour yielded not much head, but some white bubbles and a thin film to support it. Nose has some caramelly notes, berries, a bit of toasty malts and a touch of an herbal/floral note. A touch of a grain. Taste has more of the berry and sweet bready notes, dry toasty malts, honey and again a hint of something herbal. Mouthfeel is medium to medium-light, but there's some decent texture. Carbonation is quite low. Quite nice, simple and relatively flavourful if tame. My first experience with heather, and I think I have a sense of what it contributed to this, but it's certainly something I'd be open to in beers in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 02:10:30 | More by liamt07

negroobserver

New York

3.13/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Color... Amber brown, crystal clear. Looks very appealing. Pours with about a half inch of cream colored head, which reduces to less than a quarter inch and lingers.

Smells... Malty. Light floral aroma and mild hoppy notes.

Taste... Mostly unremarkable. Light hoppy bitterness at the end. I couldn't tell the difference between this and many other pale ales on the market.

Mouthfeel... Good carbonation. Smooth texture and depth. Well balanced in this respect.

Overall, it's a decent beer, but nothing that I found remarkable. The characteristics aren't pronounced enough to distinguish it from various other amber ales on the market. It's worth trying, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 18:19:57 | More by negroobserver

hdofu

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I can't comment on the appearance as I drank it right from the bottle. It had an interesting scent reminding me of spices and flowers.... The taste was malty with flavors such as honey and spices showing up... It had a crisp mouthfeel. I can say it was very easy to drink and one I'd like to have some other time.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 00:38:43 | More by hdofu

sim0n17

Germany

4.2/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Outstanding in the bottle and I dream to drink it on tap in Scotland one day. What a finish!! The ancient recipe with the heather gives a bit of an aroma, but a wonderful mouthfeel and after taste. Not highly carbonated and not too sure on the appearance - mostly drank from the bottle. But, poured it in a glass and it was a bit dark and cloudy. The taste was so apealing that the appearance was actually irrelivant :-)

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 17:44:56 | More by sim0n17

smakawhat

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass. Bottle good till March 2012 off we go!

A real nice fourteen carat gold color on this, clear, with orange color depending on where I look through the body and light. Head forms real nicely and evenly three fingers deep, nice small pinhead bubbles, some slow rising carbonation from the bottom.

Herbal nose. Light crisp malts, honey, dry sweet smelling spices and white sugar. Mostly I get a good chunk of honey off of this.

Taste is a light bodied herbal rush. Finish gets a little floral, but there is an extremely light honey coating on this. Herbal and floral textures dominate the palate, with some subdued crisp malt action. Dry and vinous slightly, but just enough sugar to compliment all the honey and florals to make it interesting.

Overall this beer is real satisfying, unique tasting, and real easy to drink, really enjoy this style. This particular one really reminds me of some type of mellow herbal braggot. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 00:09:53 | More by smakawhat

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle from the holiday mix pack, into a pint glass, white two finger head that quickly reduced to a thin foam collar with some fine patchy lacing. The color is a crystal clear gold.

Smell is floral and grassy with some light fruit coming through. Reminiscent of a sauvignon blanc.

The taste follows the nose with a the floral character dominating. Some skunky malt and apple appears as it warms. Had an acidic note which for lack of a better description can be characterized as "vomitous".

The Mouthfeel is medium bodied and syrupy with some carbonation. Not a lot of bitterness, semi-sweet, and dry. The consistency of the brew is very smooth and definitely goes down well.

Definitely worth a try although I did not enjoy it as much as the Alba.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 18:49:09 | More by Stocean1

match1112

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: clear golden yellow with three fingers of bright white head that quickly dies down to a thin cap with little lacing.

s: kinda faint nose on this one. pick up some floral and grass with a touch of grain.

t: follows the nose pretty good. pick up on floral grassy grains.

m: good carbonation with a medium body. no bitterness. and a long dry finish.

o: not real impressed. seeing it in a glass, it offers nothing special to set it apart from a glass of beer at a local dive bar. nose and taste are so faint that once again it offers nothing that makes me want to buy this again. it's a good beer to introduce people to other options with no hops bitterness but that's about it.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 02:45:38 | More by match1112

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: It has a nice cloudy golden color to it. It has a nice thick white head that dies down moderately and leaves some lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of floral notes, spices, grainy malts and some honey.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a sweet malty character to it. Nice honey, grainy and bready notes, floral in the back and a nice spicy quality.

Mouthfeel: It has a low carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 21:41:48 | More by SebD

Illtryit

Missouri

4.38/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First ever gruit. So my ability to judge within the style is impossible. Take this into consideration.

Appearance - hazy, blonde that has a white head almost two fingers deep. Leaves behind the perfect lacing as it goes down.

Smell - sweet and slighly floral aroma. Nothing too prevelant.

Taste - Very mellow. I can't quite put my finger on this one. A bit of fruit mixed with simple grains.

Mouthfeel - plentiful carbonation, full bodied.

Overall, I'll definitely buy this one again. Full bodied and smooth.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 01:14:06 | More by Illtryit

bryehn

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, golden colour with amber tinges and a large and frothy white head that gets retained as a thick film and leaves an ample amount of lace.

Beautiful floral aroma that evokes rose petals or lavender. Bright berry smell, peas, grains, pepper, a honey-like sweetness and a faint hint of alcohol.

The taste has a sweet, honey-soaked flower character. Very grainy with a dry, peppery quality. Sweet floral taste lingers in the finish along with a cinnamon-like spicy tone.

Medium-bodied with a moderate level of fine carbonation. Syrupy and grainy characteristics on the tongue. Aftertaste is rather dry with a fruity tone to it.

This is a very pleasant and bright ale that would be great in the spring or summer. Its very easygoing, but also rich with flavour.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 19:53:30 | More by bryehn

Kartoffeln

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a hazy golden amber with a small, fizzy, white head that shortly dissipates to a thin ring of foam. No lacing.

S: Sweet toffee and biscuit malts with a bready character with loads of floral and herbal aromas, mainly heather. Brown spices, honey, and toasted grain notes.

T: Sweet, bready caramel malts give way to a hint of biscuitiness and wave of floral, herbal, slightly earthy notes - heather, but also hints of sage and rosemary, with a general tea-like character. Brown spices and fresh and toasted grain in the finish.

M: Light-bodied and thin, minimal carbonation. Not watery, though, and the clean and dry herb-and-spice finish accentuates its drinkability.

D: A more flavourful and unusual gruit that's still accessible, fairly easy-drinking, and complex enough to be worth sipping to boot. Try it at least once, just to broaden your definition of beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 03:59:53 | More by Kartoffeln

hoptualBrew

Florida

3.83/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml bottle that is semi-clear copper with a small white head (wah wah). Good amount of lacing & just a refreshing looking brew overall.

Mostly all floral character in aroma & a good touch of a honey sweetness to balance. From the nose you can tell this is going to be somewhat of a malt heavy beer. My guesstimate from here is that the heather flowers will mesh well with this malt heavy scottish ale.

Sweet light toffee malts up front set the tone & smack into a floral bed of that heather stuff must be eh? I dont know - never tasted a heather flower, but that must be what it is. Little to no hop presence. Body is light & refreshing, and overall is a solid Scottish Ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 00:43:54 | More by hoptualBrew

IPA35

Netherlands

4.22/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

500ml bottle in a pint glass.

Pours a pale orange with a small white head.

Smells rather wierd, malts and flower. Heather flower I assume. Now this beer appreantly contains heather and bog myrtle instead of hops.

Taste is interesting, it starts out sweet of heather, then it becomes a bit malty and it finishes flowery/dry. This is not an extreme tasting beer, if you like beer you won't hate this so don't worry just try it. Overal rather refreshing and light. Good stuff, but not an overly flavourful and complex brew, this a very drinkable beer.

Mouthfeel is thin with medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 17:54:43 | More by IPA35

bnes09

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Lemon-straw colored brew. Slightly hazy. Thin head. No retention or lacing.

Aroma of rye bread, herbal spices, floral notes and touch of skunk.

Rye bread in the taste also. Hop flavor boasts Italian herbs and floral notes. Crisp, even finish without an aftertaste.

Light to medium bodied. Sharp, snappy carbonation though not overwhelming. Dry finish.

Descent brew. First taste of the style so nothing to compare against. Not a lot of flavor yet has a crisp, refreshing quality and no repulsive flavors. If I were alive 4000 years ago, I would drink this.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 02:56:18 | More by bnes09

ckollias

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 11.2 oz bottle out of a pint glass.

A: Pours a clear golden ale with a 2-finger white head that quickly dissipates leaving a persistent lace.

S: Malty pilsner aroma that is slightly sweet.

T: Pale malts and flavoring from the heather.

M: Thin body and medium carbonation.

O: Enjoyable very unique Ancient Scottish Brew. Glad I tried it but wouldn't grab it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 01:38:00 | More by ckollias