Beer Reviews by SIGMUND

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# Beer Origin Style Score Date
5151 Alesmith / Mikkeller / Stone Belgian Style Tripel Ale United States Abbey Tripel 4.0

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8.7%. Golden colour, big white head. Lovely aroma of Belgian yeast, fruity esters, spices and floral and fruity hops. The flavour is spicy and yeasty with a sweet and fruity body, and a distinct hoppy bitterness in the finish. Only drawback is that the alcohol is not particularly well hidden, so if you get drunk on this beer, you understand why. Still a beer I’ll be happy to drink again!

Mar 13, 2009
11:26:13 AM
5152 Nøgne Ø Sunturnbrew Norway Smoked Ale 4.2

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

500 ml bottle, batch #100, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 11%, 26 P, 50 IBU. Very dark brown colour, nearly black, with a moderate but lasting tan head. Aroma of salt water, tar, smoke and some coffee. Full and rich mouthfeel. Excellent flavour, lots of chewey malty sweetness, roasted notes, coffee, tar, some liquorice, pine needles, salty finish, noticeable hops with just the right bitterness. Very well balanced. Another great achievement from Nøgne Ø.

Mar 12, 2009
06:20:12 PM
5153 Mikkeller Single Hop Warrior IPA Denmark IPA 4.2

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

330 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.9%. Some sediment in the bottle. Deep golden to orange colour, slightly hazy. Big and lasting off-white head. Pleasant aroma of Warrior hops, not quite as strong hop aroma as in the Cascade Single Hop IPA, but nice, with some complexity. Notes of various fruits (incl. citrus) and mild spices. The flavour lets first some cara-crystal malts come through with a moderate sweetness, then the hops take over with notes of citrus, herbs, spices and some resin. A firm and peppery bitterness in the finish, but not overdone. I’d say this is a fairly well balanced IPA, and it has certainly made me interested in using the Warrior hop variety in homebrew.

Mar 11, 2009
08:36:11 PM
5154 Mikkeller Cascade IPA Denmark IPA 4.1

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

330 ml bottle, as Mikkeller Cascade Single Hop IPA, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.9%. Deep golden to orange colour, big and lasting off-white head. Lovely aroma of Cascade hops, with the typical grapefruity and pney notes. The flavour is again typical Cascade (in plentiful quantities) from start to finish, lots of grapefruit, pine needles and resin. A nearly Campari-like (wormwood) bitterness in the finish. Some malty sweetness does its best to balance some of the hoppiness. Has enough hops to satisfy hardcore hopheads - I would have been satisfied with less, even though I love Cascade.

Mar 11, 2009
08:33:11 PM
5155 Mikkeller Black Hole Denmark Imperial Stout 4.3

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

375 ml "champagne" bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 13.1%. The beer is pitch black, impenetrable for light (hence the name). Nice brown head. Intense aroma of malts, alcohol, coffee, burnt sugar and vanilla. The flavour is intense and overwhelming: an aggressive malty sweetness, backed up by honey and dark sugars, with distinct notes of roasted barley (but not quite as extreme in that respect as I expected ), the coffee is distinct, and the vanilla is also noticeable. Distinct hoppy bitterness in the finish. Warming mouthfeel. This is a "sipping beer", to be savoured slowly - definitely not a "refreshment beer". Not for the squeamish or faint hearted.

Mar 10, 2009
07:03:10 PM
5156 Mikkeller Monks Elixir Denmark Abbey Quadrupel 4.2

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

1 pt. 9.4.fl. oz. corked "champagne" bottle, as Mikkeller Monk’s Brew, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10%. Very dark brown colour, slightly hazy, huge tan head. Malty and vinous aroma, notes of brown sugar, oak and spices. Rich and warming mouthfeel. The flavour is sweet and malty, again notes of brown sugar, oak and spices, nicely balanced with the hops. Hints of chocolate and coffee. Maybe not quite a trappist, but nearly there. If Mikkel is as skilled at paternosters and avemarias as he is at brewing, he may sign up as a trappist monk any day!

Mar 9, 2009
05:11:09 PM
5157 Berentsens Rav Amber Ale 4,7% Norway Amber Ale 3.6

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

500 ml bottle, bought at Vaaland, Bryne. "Grocery store version" at 4.7% ABV. Mahogany coloured beer (I’ve never seen "amber" this dark!), moderate but lasting creamy head. Moderate but pleasant aroma of Cascade hops, hints of malts and caramel too. The flavour has dominant Cascade on a (barely) sufficient malty background, hints of burnt caramel but the beer is not sweet. Bitter aftertaste. The mouthfeel is slightly thinner than the stronger version. This is one of the better non-bottle-conditioned beers on the Norwegian grocery store market, well worth sampling.

Feb 17, 2009
03:38:17 PM
5158 Lervig Bokk Norway Bock 3.5

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

On tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger, unfiltered and unpasteurised. ABV is 6.5%. Will possibly be available in a filtered and pasteurised version later on? Deep red to dark brown colour, low tan head which leaves a nice lacing. The aroma has distinct notes of butterscotch, also notes of malts, dried fruits and sherry, quite nice. The flavour is malty and very fruity with vinous notes, also notes of caramel, low bitterness. The fruitiness is quite a surprise in a bock, and will probably be less distinct in a pasteurised version. I’d like a more pronounced hoppy bitterness, though.

Feb 12, 2009
05:33:12 PM
5159 Mack Freeze Julebrygg Norway Reduced Alcohol 2.3

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

330 ml bottle, thanks to OleR. Amber to brown colour, moderate off-white head. Typical n/a beer aroma of over-boiled vegetables and baby porridge, but also malts and caramel. The flavour is not too sweet, moderately grainy with hints of caramel. There is a noticeable presence of herbal hops too, so for a n/a beer this one is not undrinkable when cold.

Feb 11, 2009
08:34:11 AM
5160 Mack Freeze Norway Reduced Alcohol 1.5

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 2 | Mouthfeel: 2 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 3

330 ml bottle. Pale golden colour, fluffy head. Strong smell (I hesitate to use the word "aroma") of grit and extremely over-cooked vegetables. Nasty. Flavour is typical n/a lager, "boiledness" / over-cooked vegetables again, too sweet. Just a faint bitterness in the finish. Bad.

Feb 11, 2009
08:29:11 AM
5161 Mack Arktisk Juleøl Norway Vienna / Amber Lager 3.2

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

500 ml can, thanks to OleR. ABV is 4.7%. Brown to copper coloured beer, big and lasting cream coloured head. Moderate aroma of caramel, malts and nuts, hints of bakery and some fruit. The flavour is malty and nutty, notes of caramel but the beer is not too sweet. Low bitterness. The mouthfeel reveals that this is a "grocery store strength" juleøl, but as such it is not too bad at all.

Feb 10, 2009
01:32:10 PM
5162 Apple Bocq Belgium Fruit Beer 2.4

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

250 ml bottle, thanks to tarjei. ABV is 3.1%, Ext.Sec.Prim. is 12.0%. Witbier flavoured with 30% apple juice. Very pale straw coloured beer, slightly hazy, with a huge white head. Strong sweetish aroma of apples, orange peel, coriander, Christmas spices and artificial "apple" candy. The flavour is sweet with strong notes of apples, also notes of spices. Minimal bitterness. Fairly refreshing when cold.

Feb 10, 2009
01:20:10 PM
5163 Hoegaarden Rosée Belgium Fruit Beer 2.5

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

250 ml can, thanks to tarjei. ABV is 4.5%. Cloudy pink colour, big to moderate head with a pinkish hue. Strong sweetish aroma of ripe raspberries / raspberry jam. The flavour is sugary sweet with loads of ripe raspberries. Oh dear. Well, at least it is not as horrible as Hoegaarden Citron. I was able to finish this one.

Feb 10, 2009
01:17:10 PM
5164 Hoegaarden Citrons Belgium Fruit Beer 1.8

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

250 ml bottle, as Hoegaarden Citron, thanks to tarjei. ABV is 3.0%. Very pale straw coloured, slightly hazy, big to moderate white head. Aroma of lemon and lime (as expected), also more unpleasant notes of rotting fruits and vomit. The flavour is sugary sweet and citrussy, without the zesty freshness I hoped for (considering the beer had already had the misfortune of being diluted with this citrus stuff). Nope, this is not a beer for me. Drainpour.

Feb 10, 2009
01:15:10 PM
5165 Mack Arctic Lite Norway Pale Lager 2.0

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

Sample from 500 ml can, at the Mack stand, Smak 09. ABV is 4.7%. Another low carb beer, what have we done to deserve this? Pale golden colour, low head. The aroma (as far as there is any) has a moderate fruitiness, not unpleasant though. Sharpish mouthfeel. Minimal flavour, but there are some very moderate hops in the finish. Boring.

Feb 10, 2009
01:13:10 PM
5166 Ølve Festivalbokk Norway Bock 2.7

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 4

500 ml bottle, 6 months past BB date, kindly shared by OleR. ABV is 6.2%. Deep golden colour, cloudy, big to moderate head. Hoppy, grainy and somewhat perfumed aroma and flavour. Oxidized. Drank it too warm though.

Feb 10, 2009
01:08:10 PM
5167 Carlton Crown Lager Australia Lager 2.6

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

Sample from 330 ml bottle, as Crown Lager, at the Brewery International stand, Smak 09. ABV is 4.9%. Golden colour, low head. Fruity aroma. Fairly fruity and zesty flavour, some estery sidenotes, low bitterness. Not a great beer, but drinkable.

Feb 9, 2009
07:44:09 PM
5168 Witkap Pater Abbey Singel Ale Belgium Belgian Ale 3.4

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

Sample from 330 ml bottle, as Witkap Pater Stimulo, at the Brewery International stand, Smak 09. ABV is 6.0%. Pale golden colour, slightly hazy, low head. Moderate spicy aroma. Zesty flavour, moderately spicy, with acceptable hops in the finish.

Feb 9, 2009
07:42:09 PM
5169 Silly Saison Belgium Saison 3.6

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

Sample from 330 ml bottle at the Brewery International stand, Smak 09. ABV was 5.0%, according to the importer. Beautiful copper colour, moderate head. Fruity aroma and flavour (red berries), notes of caramel. Low bitterness.

Feb 9, 2009
07:37:09 PM
5170 Edelweiss Weissbier Snowfresh Austria Krystal Weizen 3.5

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

Sample from 330 ml bottle at the Brewery International stand, Smak 09. ABV is 5.0%. Golden colour, hazy, moderate head. Moderate hefeweizen aroma, notes of cloves and bubblegum. The flavour is fairly dry with moderate notes of cloves.

Feb 9, 2009
07:35:09 PM
5171 Du Monde Gold Belgium Pale Lager 2.5

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

On tap at the Brewery International stand, Smak 09. ABV is 5.2%. Golden colour, low head. Butterscotch in both aroma and flavour. Drinkable, but boring contract brewed pale lager.

Feb 9, 2009
07:33:09 PM
5172 Zipfer Urtyp (Original) Austria Lager 3.0

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

Sample from 330 ml bottle, simply called "Zipfer", at the Brewery International stand, Smak 09. ABV is 5.4%. Golden colour, low head. Fairly clean pilsener aroma and flavour, notes of German hops. Reasonably bitter aftertaste.

Feb 9, 2009
07:26:09 PM
5173 Amber Classic Poland Bohemian / Czech Pilsener 3.1

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

Sample from 500 ml can, as Amber Classic, Westerheim stand at Smak 09. ABV is 5.2%. Golden colour, moderate head. Moderate malty aroma. The flavour is clean and fairly malty for a pilsener, with moderate hops in the finish.

Feb 9, 2009
07:21:09 PM
5174 Amber Zywe Poland Kellerbier 3.2

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

Sample from 500 ml unpasteurised bottle, as Piwo Zywe, Westerheim stand at Smak 09. ABV is 6.2%. Deep golden colour, big head. Malty aroma, also notes of red berries. Fruity sweetish flavour, also notes of butterscotch.

Feb 9, 2009
07:18:09 PM
5175 Amber Grand Imperial Porter Poland Baltic Porter 3.9

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

Sample from 500 ml bottle, as Grand Imperial Porter, Westerheim stand at Smak 09. ABV is 8.0%. Extract / stammwürz is 18.1%. Very dark brown colour, moderate tan head. Moderate malty and roasty aroma, notes of bakery. Rich mouthfeel. The flavour is malty and sweet with roasted notes, plenty of caramel.

Feb 9, 2009
07:13:09 PM