This is something a little different from Uiltje. We did have plans to keep this for (Christmas in) July, but we’ve sold most of it wholesale already, so it was now or never for the beer packs.
We got this just before Christmas 2019, and this was the beer our girls left out for Santa on Christmas night. Good choice it was too (apparently!)
It is described as a Scottish Gruit Ale, though included in the ingredients is East Kent Golding hops. In my books, a gruit uses herbs and spices instead of hops. But I think technically it can include beers that use herbs and spices for bittering, regardless of whether hops are also used.
Either way this is a really good beer. It surprised me how smooth and rich it was. Four different barley malts plus flaked oats make up the malt bill. Caramel, chocolate, prunes, dark fruits and more provide a rich body.
Apparently the herbs and spices are hand-foraged from Scotland, but without disclosure take your pick as to what is in there. Flavours of licorice, clove, nutmeg maybe and a peppery spice. It was a beer I really enjoyed and something a little different.