Williams Bros. Kelpie Seaweed Ale

by Tara Nurin on Jul 24, 2011 in Beer
Williams Bros. Kelpie Seaweed Ale

Hunting down Scotland’s Kelpie Seaweed Ale in Philly can be as challenging as marking the always-elusive Loch Ness Monster. But once you spy the silhouette of the 500 ml bottle when it does surface at a local beer distributor or bar, you’ll find the experience to be as unforgettable as seeing the mythical sea dragon itself.

Brewed by Williams Bros. with real seaweed in the mash, Kelpie is a 4.4% ABV session beer that’s probably unlike any you or I have ever witnessed. It pours the color of Coke, with a thin fingernail’s worth of head bathed in the hues of foamy river pollution, and smells of fresh barley and alcohol. The body is of a pleasantly medium weight, perhaps heavier than one would expect of such a low-alcohol brew. 

So far, nothing rises to a level abnormal enough to warrant the cover – or even the inside pages – of a newspaper tabloid devoted to gleefully announcing new “evidence” of dragon sightings. But then there’s the taste. At first the beer reveals itself as one with a heavily malted, off-dry flavor, with more than a lurking shadow of a light-bodied stout and flecks of roasted chocolate culled from the malt. Then, three-quarters into the swallow, you taste it: sea water. It splashes over the senses to wash away any upfront dryness and shocks you into wondering if you’d somehow swallowed a mouthful of brackish liquid while you’d turned your back on any hope of glimpsing what you’d curiously come here to . Anyone who’s ever been waterskiing on a lake or river knows the taste of an unexpected gulp, and this essence is the surprise promised by the brewers in the finish of this beer. 

Kelpie Seaweed Ale is part of Williams Bros.’ Historic Ales series. The bladderwack type of seaweed used in the malt was also used to fertilize the barley, which was grown on the Scottish Argyll coast just as it was in the halcyon shipping days prior to the 1850’s. The bladderwack, harvested from the North Sea waters off the coast, is the original source of iodine, discovered in 1811. It also contains a variety of medicinal properties. 

Although it’s rarely available, a phone call to distributor Shangy’s The Beer Authority in Emmaus might help put it within your crosshairs – a tactic that might make your prey slightly easier to capture than the infamous Loch Ness monster.


Related Articles:

Best Air-Conditioned Bars of 2011
 

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
The Shark Week Drinking Game

The Shark Week Drinking Game

This year, one of cable TV's longest-running programs celebrates its 29th anniversary. Enjoy it to the fullest with this handy game. Shark Week starts...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 26, 2016
A Spanish Winemaker is Producing Blue Wine

A Spanish Winemaker is Producing Blue Wine

We've all heard of red wine and white wine. But now, we can get what we've always dreamed of when looking through a wine list: blue wine. ...read more ›

by Ryan Hudak Jun 21, 2016
Devil's Creek Brewery Is Open in Collingswood

Devil's Creek Brewery Is Open in Collingswood

Collingswood's first brewery, Devil’s Creek Brewery, opened its doors recently on May 21 at its new spot on Haddon Avenue....read more ›

by Erica Bauwens Jun 2, 2016
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Craft Beer Garden and Restaurant Comes to Cooper River

Craft Beer Garden and Restaurant Comes to Cooper River

Cooper River Park in Pennsauken may be known for weddings and crew races, but a new beer garden is giving craft beer lovers a new excuse to check out ...read more ›

by Erica Bauwens Jun 2, 2016
Tonewood Brewing Is Coming to Oaklyn

Tonewood Brewing Is Coming to Oaklyn

Oaklyn is getting a brand new brewery called Tonewood Brewing, which will be run by two brothers, with a projected opening date of Tuesday, June 7....read more ›

by Erica Bauwens Jun 2, 2016
Medford's Main Street Is Experiencing a Craft Beer Boom

Medford's Main Street Is Experiencing a Craft Beer Boom

Medford in Burlington County will soon be home to two craft breweries along their Main Street drag....read more ›

by Erica Bauwens May 18, 2016
The Inventor of St. Germain, Robert J. Cooper, Has Passed Away at 39

The Inventor of St. Germain, Robert J. Cooper, Has Passed Away at 39

The inventor of St. Germain passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016....read more ›

by Alexander Frane May 2, 2016
Make This Purple Cocktail To Honor Prince's Memory

Make This Purple Cocktail To Honor Prince's Memory

Make this delicious purple cocktail to honor Prince's memory....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 21, 2016
This Late Night L.A. Restaurant is Serving Boozy Bowls of Classic Kids Cereal

This Late Night L.A. Restaurant is Serving Boozy Bowls of Classic Kids Cereal

Grab a boozy, late-night breakfast at L.A.'s newest concept....read more ›

by Alexander Frane Apr 19, 2016
Disney's Tower of Terror Is Getting a Bar

Disney's Tower of Terror Is Getting a Bar

Disney's Tower of Terror is getting its very own bar....read more ›

by Alexander Frane Apr 15, 2016
SPONSORED
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close