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

October 2023: 330 ml bottle, as Bømmeløen Breiđablik Pale Ale, from Nærbutikken, Åkrafjordtunet. ABV is 4.7%. Nearly clear pale golden colour, large white head. Wheaty, grainy, yeasty and citric aroma. The flavour has the same elements, very moderate hops, slightly spicy finish.

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

330 ml bottle, as Bømmeløen Skjeggjøld IPA, from Nærbutikken, Åkrafjordtunet. ABV is 4.7%. Moderately hazy golden brown colour, small white head. Aroma of fruity / citric and piney American hops, also some yeasty notes. Citric / grapefruity flavour, also notes of pine needles and resin, with a distinct bitterness in the finish, becomes nearly medicinal in the aftertaste. Some yeasty notes too.

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

November 2021: 330 ml bottle, from SPAR Kinsarvik. ABV is 4.7%. Pale golden colour, huge white head. Sweetish, fruity and floral aroma of pilsener malts, top fermenting yeast and floral and herbal hops, notes of honey and yellow plums. Refreshing flavour, some sweetness but not too much, decent floral and herbal hops throughout. A nice surprise!

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

440 ml can, from Coop Extra Sauda. ABV is 4.7%. Deep golden to brown colour, not very "blonde" to me. Small white head. Aroma of Belgian ale yeast and mild Christmas spices, hints of toffee, caramel, banana and dark dried fruits. Light bodied. The flavour is not too sweet, but has the same elements as the aroma. Low bitterness. Nice to drink.

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

March 2018: 330 ml stubby bottle, from Edeka Sophienhof, Kiel. ABV is 5.2%. Hazy deep golden to brownish colour, small white head. Very malty and grainy aroma, smells like a brewery malt loft. Also biscuity notes, a hint of caramel. Malty and grainy flavour too, again hints of biscuits and caramel, also roasted almonds, decent hops. Unusual and interesting.

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

440 ml can, as Amundsen Ink & Dagger Gluten Free Session IPA, from Bunnpris Sauda. ABV is 4.2%. Slightly hazy and very pale straw colour, moderate to small white head. Aroma of fruity hops, notes of citrus, pineapple and mango. Citric and thin mouthfeel. Medium dry flavour of citrus, hints of tropical fruits, tolerable bitterness. An okay summer refreshment, but the stronger version of Ink & Dagger is a better choice.

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

April 2017: 330 ml can, from Vinmonopolet; Nettbutikken. ABV is 6.5%. Deep golden colour, slightly hazy, moderate white head. Aroma of pine, spruce, grapefruit and mango Well hopped flavour with same elements as the aroma. Not too sweet, good bitterness, easy to drink. Might well buy again.

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

August 2020: 330 ml bottle, from Être Gourmet, Belgium. ABV is 7.5%. Hazy dark brown colour, large to moderate off-white to beige head. Aroma of malts, caramel, brown kandij sugar syrup, dark dried fruits, hints of mild spices. The flavour is malty and sweet, but not too much, with the same elements as in the aroma. Hints of chocolate.

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

August 2020: 330 ml bottle, from Être Gourmet, Belgium. ABV is 9.0%. Cloudy dark brown colour, moderate to small beige head. Aroma of malts and smoke, hints of dark chocolate and cherries. The flavour is distinctly fruity (hints of cherries again) and moderately smokey and roasty, not too sweet. Easy drinking for its strength, quite enjoyable.

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

440 ml can, from Vinmonopolet Sauda. ABV is 6.8%. Moderately hazy golden colour, large white head. Lovely aroma of real mango. Distinct and medium sweet flavour of mango, some citric hops, moderately bitter finish.

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

March 2022: 330 ml can, from Coop Mega Madla Handelslag. ABV is 4.7%. Deep reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Very nice aroma of malts and caramel, hints of roasted nuts. Malty flavour too, but not too sweet. Again notes of caramel and roasted nuts, moderate earthy hops in the finish.

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

June 2020: 500 ml can, from Bunnpris Sauda. ABV is 4.5%. Low carb, gluten free. Clear pale golden colour, moderate white head. Very moderate aroma, hints of citrus and herbal hops. Slightly citric mouthfeel, light bodied as expected. The flavour is fairly dry, with distinct herbal hops, moderately bitter.

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

Rerate 500 ml can, May 2024, from Vinmonopolet Sauda. ABV is 4.8%. Pale golden colour, large to moderate white head. Fresh aroma of pilsener malts and herbal hops, a hint of citrus. Soft and slightly citric mouthfeel. Herbal hops in the flavour. Not bad. Rerate 2002: The bitterness of this pilsener (from a can) is more pronounced than I remembered it from draught. I'm taking off 1 point. Still, it's an acceptable beer.

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

330 ml clear bottle, as Desperados Original, from Vinmonopolet Sauda. Brewed for Heineken España. ABV is 5.9%. Golden colour, moderate to small white head. Aroma of malt sugar, maize, citrus and tequila. Medium sweet flavour with the same elements, low bitterness. Acceptable as an ice cold refreshment.

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

July 2012: 500 ml bottle, batch #435, will soon be available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.0%. Pale golden colour, large and lasting white head. Intense aroma of Simcoe hops, notes of citrus, peaches and tropical fruits, hints of resin and catpiss. Light bodied. The flavour is dominated by Simcoe hops from start to finish, with resinous and citrussy notes. Very bitter finish and aftertaste, nearly medicinal. It would probably be a better idea to use pale ale malts instead of pilsner malts in this beer. Very tasty as it is, though.

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

February 2013: Rerate, 500 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Batch No. 511. ABV is 10.0%. Pitch black colour, large brown head. Nice roasty aroma, notes of exotic woodwork, coffee, liquorice and dark chocolate. The flavour is roasty, malty and quite sweet, notes of sweetened strong coffee, chocolate and liquorice, some spicy notes. Bitter hops in the finish. First impression: Powerful - spicy - roasty - impressive - very tasty!

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

July 2012: Rerate, 500 ml bottle, batch #428, will soon be available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.2%. Copper to deep brown colour, clear first, hazy when the the yeast is poured in the end. Large head, slightly off-white. Pleasant malty aroma with notes of caramel and brown sugar, hints of mild spices. Very sweet flavour, plenty of caramel, brown kandij sugar and molasses, hints of chocolate and mild spices. Spicy and moderately hoppy (Northern Brewer and Saaz) finish. Original rating: Sample at Copenhagen Beer Festival. Hazy brown colour. Sweetish malty and mildly spicy aroma. Sweet flavour, loads of kandij sugar, mild spicy notes. Too sweet perhaps?

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

November 2012: 500 ml bottle, batch # 506, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.2%. Black colour, moderate tan head. Moderate aroma of roasted malts, some fruity hints, also hints of woodwork and ashes. Fizzy mouthfeel. Dry and roasty flavour., notes of coffee and woodwork. A bit too dry for me to give a "top mark". Roasty and bitter aftertaste.

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

July 2012. 500 ml bottle, batch # 449, will soon be available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 3.5%. 35 IBU. Golden colour, slightly hazy. Large white head. Pleasant aroma of citrus, tropical fruits and spruce. Light bodied, refreshing. Dry flavour, some mild roasty notes, hints of coffee (unexpected in a beer this pale), well hopped throughout, notes of citrus and spruce again. An excellent summer thirstquencher!

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

July 2012: Rerate, 500 ml bottle, batch #437, will soon be available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.4%. Deep golden to orange colour, large white head. The aroma is more piney and resinous, tropical fruits are more subdued, notes of orange marmalade. The flavour is medium sweet, notes of orange marmalade again, and of course a solid hoppy bitterness throughout. Hops are Hercules, Citra, Simcoe, Centennial, Amarillo and Sorachi Ace. Original rating: Sample at Copenhagen Beer Festival. Hazy orange colour. Lovely aroma of fruity (tropical fruits) hops, piney / spruce / resin too. The flavour has the same elements as the aroma, with a solid bitterness in the finish. Good beer.

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

June 2015: 500 ml bottle, batch #272, from the brewery. BB date 07.2014. ABV is 7.7%. Pitch black colour, moderate brown head. Aroma of liquorice and black rye bread, also coffee and fruity hops, just a hint of smoke. The flavour has roast malts, coffee and liquorice, also piney hops, black rye bread and a hint of smoke. Good beer. Gets even better as it warms up a little. I’m upping a point or two.

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

(500 ml bottle, bought in Denmark). Cloudy brown colour, large lasting head. Aroma of brown bread and some spicy sweetness. Flavour is malty but not overly sweet, some spicy and subtly roasted edges. Smooth and mellow, nothing to blow your socks off, but still a beer it is a pleasure to drink. I had it on on its own, must be good with a meal too

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

May 2014: 500 ml bottle, batch #571, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10.0%. Hazy dark reddish brown colour, moderate to low off-white head. Strong aroma of port wine, oak, raisins and dried figs, hints of fruity hops. Sweet flavour, distinct notes of port wine, oak, raisins and other dark dried fruits, moderate hops. One to savour slowly.

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

January 2018: 330 ml can, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 4.7%. Pale golden colour, small white head. Sweetish aroma of floral hops, hints of grass and honey. Citric flavour, medium sweet, moderate bittering hops.

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

440 ml can, from Coop Extra Støperigården. ABV is 4.7%. Slightly hazy golden colour, large to moderate white head. Aroma of citric and herbal hops, a hint of tropical fruits. Light bodied. Medium dry and crisp flavour, herbal notes, tolerable grapefruity bitterness.