Ebulum Elderberry Black Ale

The Brewers:
Brewmaster: Bruce Williams
Company: Williams Bros. Brewing Company
Location: New Alloa Brewery Kelliebank, Alloa FK10 1NU
Website: http://www.williamsbrosbrew.com/

The Beer:
Style: Scottish Ale/Gruit Ale
ABV: 6.5%
IBU: 18
Brewed with: Marris Otter, Oats, Roasted Barley, Wheat Malt, Chocolate Malt, First Gold hops, Bogmyrtle and Elderberries
Served:  Bottle purchased at Halftime of Poughkeepsie

The Drink:
Drank out of a 13oz. brandy snifter

Beer poured dark brown/black with thin, tan head that dissipated quickly.  Left absolutely no lace.

Heavy aromas of malt and subtle wine-esque aromas of sweet berries and fruit (elderberry).

Starts with moderate carbonation, a thick mouthfeel and some sweet malt tones.  Middle of berry/fruit notes and some dryness with a hefty malt body and accompanying caramel malty flavor.  Finish is dry with an interesting spicy berry character.  Very similar in character to red wine.  Finish is long with a slight bitterness, probably from roasted grain, and an enduring fruity spiced flavor.

Overall:
Ebulum black ale is based on a druid gruit ale recipe from the 16th century, which in and of itself is awesome.  Gruit was a mix of spices (including bogmyrtle) that was used in ancient ales to impart bitterness, spice flavor and antibacterial properties before hops were widely used.  Once hopped beer became popular, thanks to Holland and the Hanseatic League, gruit fell into disuse, and is now the stuff of legends.  Obviously some brewers have worked ancient recipes back into modern beers, and this is an example of the result.  A very interesting, and unarguably unique ale, this beer is mandatory for any beer enthusiast.  Very drinkable, interestingly complex, this is a beer that gets beer drinkers back to the very roots of beer itself.