Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

750 ml "champagne" bottle, as Eric Bordelet Sidre Brut Tendre, from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 5%. Golden colour, pours very fizzy with a big but short-lived head. The aroma has notes of oxidised cider apples and sulphur, hints of smoke. The flavour is medium sweet (or medium dry, if you like), notes of cider apples again (of course), hints of sulphur. Easy drinking.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Rich and sweetish Norwegian dark bock, spicy, hints of coffee and caramel. Not a bad bock this one, but not as good as Aass Bock. Brewed by Borg Bryggeri in Sarpsborg, which survived by merging with Hansa (Bergen) and CB (Kristiansand) into the Hansa-Borg group.

Aroma: 3 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 3 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 4

(500 ml can). Another ice beer, the lager style for people who really don't like beer. Pale golden colour, moderate head. Aroma is yeasty with citrus candy notes. Hardly any flavour (at least it's not offensive) and even less aftertaste. A beer to forget the moment after you drank it.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

(330 ml bottle). As all Norwegians who love Juleøl know, the stronger "klasse F" beers are the only way to go. Still, this grocery store version from Borg is drinkable esp. with food, nothing offensive about it - just a thin and watery mouthfeel as expected. Colour somewhere between amber and copper, moderate head, malty and slightly spicy aroma. Flavour is lightly malty with some caramel, but not too sweet. Far from complex. Not something to offer Santa (or Odin & Thor...) Go for the stronger version!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

330 ml bottle, like all "klasse F" juleøl (Yule/Christmas beers) sold in Vinmonopolet stores only. One of the best Norwegian Christmas specials. Deep reddish brown colour, caramel and some spice in aroma and flavour. Good with traditional Norwegian Christmas fare.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 4

330 ml bottle. Pale golden colour, decent head. Very moderate hops in the aroma. Light bodied of course, but an unexpected hoppy bitterness in the finish and aftertaste makes it stand above most other Norwegian "lettøl".

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 4

500 ml can, as Borg Lite Glutenfri, from SPAR Jørpeland. ABV is 4.2%. Crystal clear golden colour, small white head. Decent aroma of malts and floral, herbal and grassy hops. Citric and thin mouthfeel. Fairly dry flavour with a slightly metallic and papery finish.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

Nice brown colour and a thick head. Some hoppy initial aroma that doesn't last for long, just a hint of caramel in an otherwise weak aroma as the beer warms up. Flavour is weak, fairly bland, one-dimensional and uninspiring. Drinkable, but not much more.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

Brewed by Borg Bryggeri in Sarpsborg, part of the Hansa Borg brewery group. (500 ml can). Pale golden colour, decent head that doesn't last very long or leave much lacing. Light flowery / grassy aroma, very light bodied, typical run of the mill pilsener - nothing offensive, but not great. Low bitterness. Reminds me of Tropical Pils (Las Palmas).

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 2 | Flavor: 2 | Overall: 3

500 ml can, ABV is 4.5%. Pale golden colour, big white head. Very moderate sweetish aroma, notes of candy. The flavour is utterly bland and boring, notes of pear drops in the sweetish finish. Another "lite" beer to be avoided.

Aroma: 3 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 3 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 3

(330 ml clear bottle). Being the most active Norwegian rater at this website, I have taken upon my shoulders the heavy burden of tasting every new Norwegian beer that comes my way. Unfortunately most macro (by Norwegian standards of size and quality) breweries seem intent on producing at least one "summer beer" and one "ice beer" (or even an "summer ice beer") - in each and every case we’re speaking of very pale lagers with as little flavour as possible, to satisfy the large(?) group of consumers who really don’t like the taste of beer, but want a refreshment and a nice buzz. Could as well drink sparkling water? Yeah, I know, I know - you don’t get a buzz from water. Borg Sommer"pilsner" is a tasteless joke - as if the ordinary Borg Pilsner wasn’t bland enough! Avoid.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

330 ml stubby bottle, bought in Frederikshavn, Denmark. Pours with an enormous and lasting creamy greyish light tan head, underneath the head a reddish brown beer very slowly appears. Pleasant and quite strong fruity and yeasty aroma, notes of bakery, spices and ensilage too. Flavour is sweet and fruity, notes of caramel malts and mild spices too, slightly acidic finish. Good beer.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

(500 ml bottle). Reddish brown colour, hazy (unfiltered). Very good thick head. Moderate malty aroma, notes of caramel. Flavour is malty and slightly spicy, not too sweet. Well balanced with a nice hoppy bitterness in the finish. Mouthfeel is a bit watery, but tolerable. Not bad this one.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

700 ml bottle, unfiltered. ABV was 5.8%. Copper coloured, slightly hazy, good head. Moderate malty aroma with caramel and spices, hints of fruits. Flavour is malty, caramel, nuts and spices with a substantial hoppy bitterness. Moderate bitterness in the aftertaste. In a blind test I’d probably guess this was an English strong bitter / strong ale. Not bad.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottle, at Delirium Café, Göteborg. Hazy blonde ale. Hoppy citrus aroma. Citrusy / lemony flavour, quite nice. Made with buckwheat, which probably contributes the the citrussy flavour, together with the hops.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

750 ml corked & caged bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 8.5%. Very dark brown colour, nearly black, with a huge beige head. Aroma of red wine vinegar, brettanomyces and oak. The flavour is not vinegary, but very oaky and moderately spicy, with a warming mouthfeel.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

On tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Dark amber colour, creamy off-white head. Aroma of bourbon, oak and vanilla, hints of molasses and fusel alcohols. Smooth and pleasant flavour, bourbon, oak and vanilla again, hints of brown kandij sugar but not very sweet. Warming mouthfeel.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

355 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet Ølen. ABV is 6.0%. Dark ruby colour, large and lasting beige head. Pleasant aroma, mild roasty notes, prunes, chocolate and mild coffee. Medium dry flavour, smooth and easy drinking, chocolate, mild coffee and a hint of liquorice. Hops, coffee and wood in the aftertaste.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

750 ml corked & caged bottle in the Smokestack Series, from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 9.3%. BB date 01/06/2014. Deep brown colour, moderate off-white to beige head. Aroma of malts and coffee, hints of chocolate and some fruity hops. Malty flavour with strong notes of coffee, a bit too much coffee for me. Some acidity, again hints of fruity hops.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

750 ml corked and caged bottle in the Smokestack Series, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8.5%. Hazy deep orange to amber colour, large off-white head. Delightful sweetish aroma of fruity American hops, notes of oranges. Very hoppy flavour on a solid malty base, notes of oranges again, the bitterness is distinct but not too extreme. A very fine beer!

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

750 ml bottle in the Smokestack Series, from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 7.7%. Dark reddish brown colour, huge beige head. Lovely malty aroma, mild roasty notes, hints of dark berries, also fruity and piney hops. The flavour is slightly on the sweet side, with moderate roast malts and fruity and piney hops. Medium bitter finish.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

On tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger, as Boulevard Jam Band Berry Ale. Deep red colour, large off-white head. Aroma of red berries. Distinct flavour of red berries, moderately sweet, low bitterness, dry finish.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

750 ml bottle, probably from Vinmonopolet Kvadrat. ABV is 9.5%. Hazy orange to brown colour, moderate off-white head. Lovely aroma of brettanomyces / farmhouse, lemons, oak and bourbon. Sour / acidic flavour, red wine vinegar and lemons galore, also hints of oak and bourbon - an unusual combination. This must be the "whiskey sour" of the beer world.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Shared 355 ml bottle, from the Norwegian importer. No ABV mentioned on the label. Orange to amber colour, large to moderate white head. Pleasant aroma of Cascade hops, hints of citrus. Plenty of carbonation in the mouth. The flavour is moderately hoppy throughout, fruity and piney notes, Nice and drinkable, but not outstanding in any way.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

750 ml bottle, vintage 2013, probably from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 8.5%.Pale golden colour, only slightly hazy. Huge and lasting white head. Lovely aroma of saison yeast and brett, with fruity and peppery notes, hints of farmhouse. Medium sweet but still quite crisp flavour with peppery notes, distinct bittering hops.