Scotland’s Williams Bros. Brewing Co. is celebrating its 20th birthday with a special edition of its Fraoch Ale (fraoch is Scottish Gaelic for “heather”). Brewers add fresh heather flowers to boiling malt to give the beer a spicy, herbal flavor. 11% alc/vol, triple version; matured in ex-sherry casks previously used to mature single malt speyside whiskey for 20 years. Brewed as a 11% Fraoch heather ale then secondary fermented in ex sherry/malt whisky casks giving a champagne/lambic conditioning which gives it bright green apple high notes and rich caramel tones. The aroma and finish are of sherry wood with a heather and peat flavors. $16 for 750ml.
