Review: Fraoch Heather Ale

Written by DJ Spiess

Tuesday, 01 April 2008

Fraoch Heather Ale is ale bittered with heather and sweet gale instead of hops. Is this a good beer or is it proof a Scotsman will drink anything?

History of Fraoch Heather Ale

With the hops crisis running full-tilt, you may be looking to alternatives for your brewing. One alternative is to use heather to bitter your beer. Historically heather was used to bitter beer long before hops. Many brewers are considering using something else to bitter their beer, but do you want to chance a 5 gallon brew before seeing what the beer is supposed to taste like? Well you are in luck! Fraoch is heather ale made in Scotland, and you might be able to find it at a liquor store near you.

Heather ale (or some alcoholic beverage using heather) was made in Scotland as early as 2000 BC. The heather ale is a part of Scottish heritage and tradition. Unfortunately after centuries of war with Britain, the Scots finally lost in 1707. As a punishment the British passed laws which forbade beer to be made with anything other than hops. This was punishment because hops cannot grow in Scotland. The heather ale became history.

Fraoch Heather Ale is a beer bittered with heather instead of hops.

In 1986, a Glasgow homebrew shop owner named Bruce Williams had an old Gaelic recipe for heather ale translated. He perfected the recipe and sold the brew as Fraoch Heather Ale. In 1993 he contracted a brewery to make larger amounts, and the beer is now sold worldwide.

There is still one question I’m sure you’re dying to know – how does it taste?

Looks

Fraoch looks much like normal ale. The head was a bit shallow and dissipated quickly. The beer has a slightly cloudy amber color. All in all it looks like your typical pale ale.

Aroma

The aroma is the first thing that you notice is different. Fraoch has a very nice flowery scent. There are hints of grassiness, but the smell is not hops. The beer aroma has some maltiness, but it is very light.

The heather ale may be one of the oldest beer styles, dating back to 2000 B.C.

Taste

The beer flavor was quite a surprise. The bitter flavor in the beer is very different from hops – it is not nearly as bitter. The beer is very smooth. I found the flavor to be very clean. The ale has a slight maltiness. You can pick up bits of biscuits and bread in the flavor. Fraoch is lightly carbonated and the beer is very smooth and drinkable.

Results

I really enjoyed this beer. It gives me hope for beer after hops. The beer would be great on a summer day, and would make a good session beer. I’m not sure that someone trying the beer would know that heather was used instead of hops without reading the label. The beer should be served in a flute glass, but unfortunately I read that after pouring the beer. Luckily the beer comes in a really cool four-pack, and I can try it next time. I give the beer 10 dank castles out of 10.

Thanks to Claire Rachael Pitt , our UK correspondent, for the suggestion!

Brewery: Heather Ale Ltd. , Williams Bros. Brewing Company
Country of Origin: Scotland, UK
Style: Heather ale
ABV: 5% ABV

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