Beer Reviews by SIGMUND

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# Beer Origin Style Score Date
7051 AleSmith Yulesmith - Winter United States Strong Ale 3.8

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

Bottle, as Yulesmith Holiday Ale, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Deep orange to amber colour, low head. Aroma of American caramel malts and American hops, notes of caramellized orange marmalade. Rich mouthfeel. Flavour of oak, caramel malts, dried figs, American hops.

Jan 8, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7052 Hoppin' Frog Hoppin to Heaven IPA United States IPA 3.8

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

Bottle, ABV 6.8%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Cloudy deep orange to amber colour, moderate off-white head. Intense aroma of fruity American hops on a background of marmalade and American caramel malts. The flavour is sweet with notes of marmalade, with distinct American hops throughout. Bitter aftertaste. Okay.

Jan 8, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7053 Hoppin' Frog Mean Manalishi United States Imperial IPA 3.3

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

Botttle, as Hoppin’ Frog Mean Manalishi Double I.P.A., ABV 8.2%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Deep orange to amber colour, hazy. Big off-white head with an orangey hue. Intense sickly sweetish aroma of stale and caramellized orange marmalade and loads of American hops, not very pleasant. Intense flavour of American hops, partly balanced by a substantial sweetness. The flavour is better than the aroma, but this is still not my favourite beer.

Jan 9, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7054 Hoppin' Frog Boris The Crusher United States Imperial Stout 3.5

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

Bottle, as Hoppin’ Frog B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout, ABV 9.4%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Pitch black colour, low brown head. Surprisingly moderate aroma of oats and roasted barley, notes of mild coffee, hints of chocolate. The flavour has loads of malty sweetness, verging on sickly, and loads of roasted barley too. Notes of coffee, hints of liquorice and dark chocolate. Slightly acidic finish. Not the best impy stout I’ve had.

Jan 9, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7055 AleSmith Old Numbskull United States English Barleywine 4.0

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

Bottle, ABV 11%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Orange to amber coloured beer, moderate off-white head. Aroma of oak, fortified wine, American caramel malts and American hops. The flavour has strong notes of bitter American hops throughout, also oak and alcohol.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7056 Schlafly Reserve Oak-Aged Barleywine United States English Barleywine 3.6

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

Bottle, as Schlafly Reserve (Ale aged on oak) Barleywine Style Ale 2008, ABV 10.2%, at RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Orange to amber colour, low head. Aroma of alcohol and oak, some American hops and caramel too. The flavour is very oaky and alcoholic, notes of vanilla and coconut.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7057 Great Divide Hibernation Ale United States Strong Ale 3.5

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

355 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8.7%. Beautiful clear and deep copper to mahogany coloured beer, big off-white to beige head. Strong malty aroma with distinct notes of caramel and bakery. The flavour has loads of malty sweetness and caramel, maybe too much caramel for my taste. Noticeable hoppy bitterness in the finish, also notes of burnt bread crumbs. Not entirely balanced in my book, but an interesting beer all the same.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7058 Avery India Pale Ale United States IPA 3.9

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Golden colour, big white head. Nice aroma of fruity and floral hops. The flavour is disctinctly hoppy throughout - plenty of American grapefruity and resinous hops, some malty sweetness in the middle, bitter finish and aftertaste. Quite good.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7059 Anderson Valley Boont ESB (Extra Special Beer) United States Extra Special Bitter 3.6

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.8%. Hazy golden colour, big white head. Moderate but pleasant aroma of fruity American hops. The flavour has first a distinct malty sweetness, immediately followed by a powerful hoppiness. Overwhelmingly bitter finish and aftertaste with grapefruity and resinous notes, even hints of wormwood..

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7060 Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA United States IPA 3.7

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 7%. Deep golden colour, big off-white head. The aroma has plenty of fruity American hops, notes of fresh orange marmalade and grapefruit. The flavour is a solid hoppy attack from start to finish, with a subdued malty sweetness in the background. Very bitter aftertaste.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7061 Oskar Blues Ten FIDY United States Imperial Stout 4.5

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

355 ml can, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.5%. Pitch black colour, moderate chocolate brown head. Nice aroma of roasted malts / roasted barley, chocolate, coffee and bakery. Intense flavour of malts (malty sweetness + heavily roasted malts/barley), notes of strong coffee, molasses and dark bitter chocolate, ending in a distinct bitterness (both from the hops - 98 IBU - and the roastiness). Possibly the most awesome canned beer in the world.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7062 Samuel Adams Utopias United States English Barleywine 4.1

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

Sample from bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Beautiful chestnut colour. No carbonation, and accordingly no head. INTENSE aroma of port wine, dark dried fruits and fusel alcohols. The latter unfortunately detracts from the aroma score. Intense, concentrated and sweet flavour of old madeira, raisins / rum-raisin and oak.

Jan 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7063 Rogue Old Crustacean United States American Barleywine 3.7

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

Bottle, under some obscure Japanese name, sampled at HaandBryggeriet, Drammen, Norway. This is the only Rogue ale with an ABV that fits, hope it's the right one. Deep copper colour, decent beige head. Intense aroma and flavour dominated by caramel malts, plenty of sweetness. Full and rich mouthfeel. Pretty impressive, I guess, if you’re on the caramel wagon.

Jan 19, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7064 Captain Lawrence Xtra Gold Tripel United States Abbey Tripel 3.8

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

Bottle, kindly shared by fellow homebrewer Even. ABV not mentioned on the label. Deep golden colour, big to moderate head. Pleasant aroma of fruity American hops. Fruity flavour with notes of Belgian yeast and American hops. Quite good.

Feb 2, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7065 Goose Island Matilda United States Belgian Ale 3.7

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

355 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Also available in Norway at Vinmonopolet. ABV is 7%. Deep golden to amber colour, big white (or slightly off-white) head. Strong fruity and spicy aroma, notes of cloves, Belgian ale yeast and alcohol. Fairly rich mouthfeel. Drank it a bit too warm, but the flavour has a decent fruity and malty sweetness with some notes of mild spices and moderate hops in the finish. Pretty good stuff.

Feb 4, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7066 Sierra Nevada Stout United States Stout 4.0

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

350 ml bottle, at Café Luna, Aalborg. ABV was 5.8%. Served in a "Trappistes Rochefort" (!) glass. Black colour, low beige head. Nice moderately roasty aroma and flavour, notes of mild coffee and dark chocolate, well balanced hops in the finish. Smooth and pleasant to drink - would buy again.

Mar 2, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7067 Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere United States Saison 3.8

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

750 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Slightly hazy very pale yellow colour, huge white head. Nice spicy aroma, notes of Belgian ale yeast, hops and citrus, hints of farmhouse. Refreshing flavour, mildly spicy, some citrussy fruitiness, moderate hops. Best served relatively cold.

Mar 6, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7068 Lost Abbey Carnevale Ale United States Saison 3.2

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

1 pint 9.4 fl. oz.. corked bottle, 2009 version, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.5%. Pours first crystal pale yellow with fine bubbles, moderate white head, some sediment in the bottle. Aroma of damp basement, some fruit (cider apples) and hints of horse stable in the background, but has not the fine aroma balance of a good Belgian ale. The flavour has distinct notes of brettanomyces, some spiciness, and fairly bitter American hops in the finish - but again without the flavour harmony of a real Belgian. Not a bad beer, but I expected something far better than this.

Mar 8, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7069 Lost Abbey Ten Commandments United States Belgian Strong Ale 3.4

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 6

Very dark brown colour, big pale brown head. Moderate sourish fruity and dusty aroma, hints of lightly roasted malts, wet cardboard and damp basement - certainly not impressive. The flavour is very sweet, fruity and vinous, notes of raisins and dark dried fruits, brown candi sugar, some oak. Noticeable hops and dust in the finish.

Mar 10, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7070 Stone Smoked Porter United States Smoked Ale 4.5

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

1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 5.9%. Black colour, moderate beige head. Interesting aroma of roasted and smoked malts, blending seamlessly together with notes of chocolate, hints of dark fruits. The flavour is first fruity, then chocolatey and smoky, but the smoke is not overdone. Some hoppy and roasty bitterness in the finish. This is an excellent and well balanced beer!

Mar 21, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7071 Oskar Blues G'Knight United States Strong Ale 4.2

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

355 ml can, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8.7%. Amber colour, big off-white head with an orangey hue. Excellent complex aroma of American hops, notes of pine, oranges, grapefruit, tropical fruits. The flavour has loads of American hops from start to finish, with fruity (grapefruity), piney and resinous notes, but it is not too bitter (despite respectable 85 IBUs), as the hoppiness is nicely balanced by a sweetness of malts and orange marmalade. Resinous bitter aftertaste.

Mar 24, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7072 Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale United States American Pale Ale 3.8

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

355 ml can, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.5%. Deep golden to amber colour, big off-white head with an orangey hue. Strong aroma of American hops, fruity notes, hints of pine and marmalade. The flavour has also loads of hops, but they are fairly well balanced with the malts. There is a substantial bitterness in the finish and long aftertaste, with piney and grapefruity notes.

Mar 29, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7073 Avery Ellie's Brown United States Brown Ale 3.4

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Dark brown colour, moderate cream-coloured head. Aroma and flavour of lightly toasted malts, brown bread and nuts. Notes of burnt bread crumbs in the finish. Fairly dry beer.

Mar 29, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7074 Avery Out of Bounds Stout United States Dry Stout 4.3

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Pitch black colour, huge tan head. Pleasant roasty aroma, notes of coffee and dark chocolate, some fruity hops, hints of wood. The flavour is moderately roasty with notes of dark malts, coffee and dark chocolate. A moderate but distinct roasty and hoppy bitterness in the finish, balanced by a moderate but sufficient malty sweetness. Good stuff.

Mar 29, 2010
12:00:00 PM
7075 Rogue Brutal Bitter United States Extra Special Bitter 3.8

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

12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Deep golden to orange colour, hazy, big white head. Very nice aroma of fruity Crystal hops, notes of oranges and tropical fruits. The flavour is distinctly hoppy from start to finish, "bitter" - well yes indeed, but not "brutal". Fairly dry, a more pronounced maltiness would not hurt. Still, a very pleasant and drinkable beer as it is.

Apr 7, 2010
12:00:00 PM