Pining for the fjords?
"Introduced by the Vikings," proclaims the label, "spruce and pine ales were very popular in Northern Scotland until the end of the 19th century." Like other brews from those days of yore, Alba Scots Pine Ale (11.2 fl. oz., $4) contains no hops; barley malt is instead balanced by young, spring-harvested Scots pine and spruce. The distinctive flavor, initially herbal, then (in an "Aha!" moment for the palate) decidedly if not overwhelmingly piney, gains character as it warms to room temperature. This is not a brew best served cold.
As for the pizza, that basil leaf was much more impressive before my grandma slice ($2.45) was reheated in the oven. Do you know about shrinkage?
Alba's Pizza & Restaurant
36-20 Ditmars Blvd. (at 37th St.), Astoria, Queens
718-932-5924
www.AlbaPizza.com
I am a HUGE pizza lover and cannot wait to try this for lunch, thanks for the post!
Posted by: Liz | February 04, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Is it possible to get straight-up spruce beer anywhere in NYC? Or is that too rustic?
Posted by: No\Deli | February 04, 2011 at 12:38 PM
That's not a sticking point (sorry) for me, or, I see, for you:
http://nodeli.com/category/spruce-beer
It's not that spruce beer is too rustic for New York, I don't think, but that gathering young spruce tips is too labor-intensive to brew up a supply for other than Montreal and environs. Needle-less to say (sorry again), I'll keep a lookout!
Posted by: Dave Cook | February 04, 2011 at 04:45 PM
I wonder if they don't just use resin, syrup, or some such - but the only brewer I know of seems a bit too bristly (as it were) to ask directly.
It's always been a particularly New Englandly beverage, preserved in amber (so to speak) in New France. Maybe two-hundred years ago it was easy to find in New York? Now, if you find some, I'll bring down the Mtl. variety for you to compare it against.
Posted by: nodeli.com | February 04, 2011 at 11:33 PM
Monty Python...Seinfeld... I LOVE IT!
Posted by: Freddie Dakar | February 05, 2011 at 10:50 PM
I was there a few times! And I'm always glad to come back there! The atmosphere is very nice and pizza is delicious!
Posted by: freelance writing | October 04, 2011 at 09:09 AM