THE DRINK NATION IS A FREE RESOURCE FOR FINDING EVERYTHING AWESOME ABOUT DRINKING IN YOUR LOCATION

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

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:
 
Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

If you're a frequent Negroni drinker, always order Wild Turkey Bourbon in your old fashioneds, or prefer your ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 9, 2020
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 15, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

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

Close