Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 5

330 ml bottle, thanks to OleR. Brewed for Hønefoss Brygghus, Norway, by Krönleins Bryggeri, Sweden. ABV is 4.7%. One has to accept that Hønefoss Brygghus is another "brewhouse" that does not brew (the slogan "Drink locally" is thus ridiculous) , but why on earth do they commission a pale lager in the Norwegian style "sommerøl", contract brewed by mediocre Krönleins? Norwegian macro breweries have plenty of boring "sommerøl", there is absolutely no need for another one. HB’s Juleøl (a stout brewed by Det Lille Bryggeriet) was decent, this one is not undrinkable, but certainly no masterpiece. The recommendation on the label "To be drunk ice cold" gives you some idea about what to expect. Deep golden colour, much darker than other "sommerøl", moderate white head. Sweetish unpleasant aroma, typical Swedish macro. Notes of artificial candy and rotting vegetables. The flavour is fortunately much better than the aroma, some moderate malts and hops are around, and the beer is not too sweet.

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

330 ml bottle, contract brewed by Krönleins Bryggeri, Sweden, for Hønefoss Brygghus, Norway - another "brewhouse" that does not brew. ABV is 4.7%. Thanks to OleR for procuring the bottle. The recommendation on the label to drink it "ice cold" makes me somewhat sceptical ... Golden colour, big white head. Acceptable pilsener aroma, moderately sweetish, notes of floral hops and some fruit. The flavour is fairly fresh and crisp, moderate sweetness, too moderate hops. Definitely drinkable, but not very "special" in any way.

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

500 ml bottle, 2009 vintage, kindly procured from Systembolaget by OleR, thanks! ABV is 7.5%. Copper to mahogany coloured beer, huge beige head. Nice aroma of burnt caramel, earth and bakery. The flavour is distinctly malty with loads of caramel, baked goods and chocolate, but is not too sweet. Distinct hoppy bitterness and burnt toast in the finish. Bitter aftertaste. Unusual and earthy character, not necessarily "easy drinking", but certainly one to savour.

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

500 ml bottle, bought at Systembolaget. ABV is 5.8%. Called a "strong pale ale" by the brewery. Dark copper to chestnut colour, moderate beige head. Pleasant aroma of lightly roasted malts, caramel, burnt toast and fruity hops, hints of bakery. In the flavour the fruity hops are well balanced against the malts and moderate roastiness, with a moderately bitter and slightly nutty finish. Good stuff!

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

Bottle, RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Golden to orange colour, moderate white head. Nice aroma of saison yeast and oranges. The flavour has some coriander and orange, sourish finish.

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

50 cl bottle, as Eriksberg III, in a cafeteria in Charlottenberg, Sweden. ABV is 5.3%. Golden colour, big fluffy head. Fairly malty sweetish aroma, some flowery hops. The flavour has notes of alcohol, sweet malts and noticeable hops. Not too bad for a Swedish lager..

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

500 ml bottle, from Systembolaget. ABV is 5.2%. Cloudy pale brownish yellow colour, big to moderate white head. Lovely typical hefeweizen aroma, notes of banana, cloves and bubblegum. The flavour is crisp and tasty with fruity and spicy notes, particularly banana and cloves, moderate hops in the finish. A very nice and well balanced hefeweizen from Gotland.

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

330 ml bottle, thanks to OleR. Contract brewed by Krönleins Bryggeri, Sweden, for Hønefoss Brygghus, Norway. ABV is 4.7%. Mahogany coloured beer, moderate beige head. Malty aroma, like a Münchener dunkel, notes of brown bread and caramel. The flavour is also malty and bready, sweet first with distinct notes of caramel, while the finish is fairly dry but not very bitter. OKish.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 5 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 4

500 ml bottle, bought in Sweden. ABV is 2.2%. Ingredients include saccharin. Deep copper to mahogany colour, moderate off-white to beige head. Moderate aroma of bakery and toast, fairly nice. The flavour is very malty with loads of caramel and saccharin sweetness, too sweet maybe (I think they should have skipped or reduced the saccharin), minimal hops, hints of Christmas spices. However, it is rather nice to drink a low alcohol beer that is not flavourless and watery.

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

500 ml bottle, from Systembolaget. ABV is 5.9%. Pitch black colour, big brown head. Nice roasty aroma, notes of coffee and dark chocolate, hints of cigarbox and leather as the beer warms up.. The flavour is distinctly roasty, notes of coffee and dark chocolate again. Not much sweetness. Burnt notes in the bitter finish. Pretty good beer.

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

500 ml brown bottle, as Pripps Jul, from Systembolaget post-Christmas 2009. ABV is 5.0%. Mahogany coloured beer, big off-white beige head. Sweetish fruity aroma, also notes of caramel malts, hints of Christmas spices. The flavour has notes of münchener and caramel malts, baked goods, sweet and slightly spicy, also with a certain fruitiness. Very moderate hops in the finish. Overall surprisingly decent for a beer from Pripps / Carlsberg Sweden.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Amber to orange colour. Lovely hoppy aroma, hints of oak and barnyard too. Oaky flavour, well hopped. Good beer!

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Beautiful amber colour, large head. Fruity and spicy aroma, notes of damp cellar. Oaky and musty flavour, unusual, interesting.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Amber to orange coloured beer. Lovely Amarillo hops aroma. The flavour is also dominated by Amarillo hops, some oaky and "raw" alcoholic notes too.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Another beer I drank too warm. Golden colour. Very nice and complex hoppy aroma. Hoppy and alcoholic flavour.

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

Bottle, RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Pitch black colour, creamy brown head. Very nice aroma of chocolate and roasted malts, hints of oak. Intensely rich and complex flavour: oaky, vinous, roasty, chocolate, liquorice. An excellent beer, but so is the "ordinary" Stormaktsporter.

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

Bottle, RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Dark brown colour. Extremely woody aroma, seems a bit unbalanced. The flavour is also very woody with coffee notes, alcoholic. No match for Nøgne Ø Dark Horizon.

Aroma: 5 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottle, RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Pale golden colour. Nice hoppy aroma. Fairly decent and distinctly hoppy pilsener flavour. Not a bad Swedish pilsener this one.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Chestnut coloured beer. Fruity and vinous aroma, some smoke. The flavour has oak and smoke - but they say the beer contains no smoked malts. "Raw in the edges". Fairly dry.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Reddish brown colour. Hoppy aroma with oaky and vinous notes. Very malty, sweet and alcoholic flavour.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Hazy amber colour. Moderate "English bitter" aroma and flavour with a farmhouse touch. Fairly decent but not particularly exciting. Still, it is nice to have sampled an ale with Marynka hops.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. 2006 vintage, bottle #459. Reddish brown colour, off-white head. Strong aroma of rhum-raisin, malts, aromatic hops and alcohol. Malty sweetish flavour, somewhat alcoholic.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Beautiful red colour. Nice hoppy aroma. Malty sweet and hoppy flavour, somewhat alcoholic. A bit too much on the sweet side, but decent.

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

330 ml brown bottle, ABV is 5.3%. A trade with Ole_R, thanks! Deep golden colour, moderate head. Fruity hops in the aroma. Malty flavour, fairly sweet, a hint of honey, moderate hops.

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

500 ml bottle, from Systembolaget. ABV is 6.0%. Mahogany coloured beer, big cream-coloured long-lasting head with an orangey hue. Nice malty aroma, notes of caramel, brown bread and other baked goods, some moderate fruity notes too. The flavour is fairly rich and malty with notes of caramel. Dry hops, some spice and burnt caramel in the finish. Some resinous hops and distinct "burnt" notes in the long aftertaste. Quite good.