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

I actually prefer the Dubbel to this one. The Tripel is nonetheless a great beer. Colour is blonde and hazy, beer pours with an ENORMOUS head - too much, really. Lovely aroma of spices and citrus, flavour and aftertaste is spicy and quite bitter, not as complex and rounded as the Dubbel. Very potent with its 9.5% ABV, but the alcohol is relatively well hidden for a blonde. Like all trappistes well made, but not quite in the class of Rochefort

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

This is a decent pils - lovely hoppy aroma (Saazer and Hallertau?), distinct but not unpleasant bitterness in the flavour (and I'm not a fanatical "hophead"), aftertaste OK. Very refreshing. I'm sure it's even better on tap. Recommended!

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

Rerate, 330 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10%. Dark brown colour, huge off-white to beige head. Aroma and flavour mainly as the first time, but I drank the beer a little colder now, and the sweetness was not overwhelming. I’m upping it a couple points. Original rating: 330 ml capped bottle. I had trouble getting the very hard cap off (no proper opener at hand), and 1/4 of the beer was driven out by the carbonation before I succeeded. Drank it at temp. appr. 14 degrees C. Beer was murky brown with floaties, large tan head. Aroma was malty sweet with prunes, figs, dates, chocolate and cedarwood. Flavour was again malty sweet with prunes, figs, dates and chocolate. No detectable bitterness. A complex beer, but too sweet to be "perfect" IMO.

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

I too prefer the draught version (nitro can incl.)- but still the original is very, very good! Try it with bacon and eggs - makes you want to eat breakfast all day.

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

(33 cl bottle, bought in Denmark). Deep golden brown colour, no haziness, large head. Aroma is not very strong, but pleasant - yeasty and fruity (canned plums), some spices and herbs too. Full bodied sweet flavour, still quite smooth. Brown candy sugar, Christmas fruit cake spices and herbs prevail. Some alcoholic warmth, but not dominant. A great sipping beer!

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

Smoother than Guinness, very drinkable. A stout recommended for beginners. Rerate: ...which doesn't in any way imply that Beamish hasn't a lot to offer the experienced stout drinker as well. Aroma is better than Guinness, and the flavour is outstanding too. I simply suggested that the prejudiced anti-stout drinker might find out that he/she actually likes it.

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

(33 cl bottle, bought in Denmark). Pours cloudy golden with floaties, large head. Strong yeasty and flowery sweet aroma , some spices (pepper) and herbs too. Flavour is fairly malty with a distinct peppery touch, hints of oak. Some alcoholic warmth, not unpleasant. Moderate but sufficient bitterness. Not bad at all.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

500 ml bottle. Very dark ruby colour, large thick tan head. Malty aroma with smoked notes, elements of espresso coffee, tar and old woodwork. Flavour is initially a tad sweeter than I appreciate, roasted malts with tar, coffee and prunes. A distinct bitterness from the hops and roasted malts takes over, and lasts through the long aftertaste. The high ABV is well hidden. A solid Baltic porter, but not as good as Sinebrychoff.

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

(0,5 liter bottle.) Whooa... an Estonian Christmas porter, available in Norway, even! This one is 1% stronger and more spicy than their ordinary porter , to obtain a "real" Christmas character. Dark brown colour, low head, lightly roasted spicy coffee aroma and flavour, decent bitterness in the aftertaste. Lots of delicious flavour and sufficient alcohol here, still a slightly thinner mouthfeel than some other porters (probably because it's bottom fermented) - which, however, will not stop me from buying this goody again. I had it on its own, must also be a great accompaniment with Nordic Christmas fare in the rougher end of the scale. Sweet, but not too much. All in all a Christmas beer to be recommended.

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

(500 ml bottle). Dark brown colour, slightly hazy, some sediment, good head. Lovely aroma of caramel, cedar wood, nuts and cookies. Flavour is nutty and biscuity with burnt edges. Not too sweet. Aftertaste has some bitterness with burnt notes. (Some might not like the burnt part, but I do!) If Newcastle Brown is your idea of a brown ale, you're in for a surprise!

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

500 ml bottle conditioned. Colour is hazy deep amber, good head. Lovely hoppy and citrussy aroma that says: Come hither, lad, and drink me! Flavour is malty and very bitter, plenty of Cascade hops give a grapefruit-like bitter aftertaste.

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

Rerate, 33 cl bottle, now available in Norway (Vinmonopolet, + Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger): ABV is 7.0%. Hazy brown colour, big and lasting off-white head. Spicy complex aroma and flavour, some winey and woody notes too. The mouthfeel has still too much carbonation, but this is none the less a very fine beer. Original rating: 33 cl bottle, at the White Horse at Parsons Green, London. Served in "appropriate" Chimay glass (whether those wide chalices really ARE the most appropriate for savouring complex beers, is a discussion of its own). Unfortunately served far too cold - you’d think White Horse waiters knew better. For good measure, the waiter poured the beer along the side of the glass, which prevented the beer from "opening up", the head disappeared quickly and the beer kept too much carbonation. The beer has a brown colour, aroma of leather, balsamico vinegar and barnyard. Flavour is quite dry, well hopped, elements of leather and tobacco. Hints of cardamom and ginger. Aroma and flavour improves somewhat as the beer slowly warms up, but altogether this remains my least favourite of the Chimays - give me a Bleu, please! Still a decent beer, but with the Trappists I expect more. Will re-rate when I personally control the temperature and the pour.

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

Cask conditioned at the Alexandra Hotel ("The Alex"), Derby. Very dark ruby colour, nearly black. Low thick head. Aroma of leather and roasted malts. Very smooth and drinkable with a well balanced roastiness. Coffee elements. A truly enjoyable dark mild!

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

500 ml bottle, bought at Selfridge’s, London. This bottle conditioned "original" IPA has a slightly hazy deep golden colour and a fluffy head. The hops are what it’s all about in the aroma and flavour - lovely citrussy aroma with hints of oak and leather, flavour has a distinct resin-like bitterness with notes of grapefruit on a subdued background of dusty malty sweetness. Interesting beer.

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

Rerate 13. April: I deliberately avoided pouring the yeast in this time, beer is clear deep golden, like a bitter or an IPA. Flavour is more balanced, still a substantial bitterness but not unpleasant. Very little wheat character, in a blind test I'd say this was a decent IPA or possibly an ESB. Original rating: 500 ml, bottle conditioned. Batch #128. The brewers say this beer should be consumed on Easter Day and not during Lent. I’d better re-rate shortly after Easter - maybe they mean that the beer is too fresh now? Anyway, I HAD too try it now, once it was for sale. The beer has a hazy golden, nearly orange colour. Initially large head, doesn’t last to the end. Lovely hoppy aroma with hints of citrus, honey and leather. Flavour is very bitter from start to finish (loads of hops and coriander, peppery mouthfeel) , while the beer otherwise is light bodied like a wheat beer should be. This means that the hops and spices are overdone here, and the subtleties of a wheat beer do not survive. Those who love American IPAs might like it, but to me this is my least favourite Nøgne Ø beer so far.

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

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Black (and I mean BLACK) colour, even when held to the light. Aroma has some dark chocolate, coffee and wood. Roast malt flavour. Hints of tar in the finish. Dry, woody aftertaste. This is not a stout of the "smooth and velvety" kind, but an interesting aquaintance indeed!

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

This Easter brew is one of the best Dutch beers I've had, even if the "style" isn't my definite favourite. Had it on tap in Amsterdam, very enjoyable indeed. Pleasant spicy aroma with hints of leather and wood, the yeast is not as dominant as with some other beers of this style. Some sweetness in flavour and aftertaste, but not too much. Apparently this is a "you either like it or you don't"-beer. And I like it!

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

Website: www.kelt.cz . 500 ml bottle, bought in Prague. Irish style dry stout. Black (=very dark brown to ruby) colour. Moderate creamy tan head. Moderate roasty aroma, notes of coffee, faint hints of leather. Smooth drinking, but there’s a pronounced bitter roastiness. Strong coffee notes. Little complexity besides the roastiness, but not nearly as bad as some other ratings made me expect.

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

500 ml bottle, bought at Pivni Galerie, Prague. Dark reddish brown to ruby colour, large & thick tan head. Aroma is surprisingly moderate: some malts, porridge, hints of roastiness, caramel. Flavour is more impressive: an immediate malty sweetness hits the tongue, followed by a pronounced roastiness with coffee elements. A robust & warming mouthfeel, alcohol is evident but not unpleasant. Roasted malts and quite a bit of hoppy bitterness in the aftertaste. Not bad.

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

330 ml bottle, as Abbaye des Rocs Brune, bought at Pivni Galerie, Prague. Murky brown colour with floaties, enormous lingering head. Strong fruity aroma (cherries, prunes) with notes of leather, caramel and oak, hints of barnyard. Flavour is intensely oaky and malty with notes of smoke, dried fruits and spices. Alcohol is evident. Moderate sweetness, bitter and oaky aftertaste. Not for beginners this one.

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

(Cask conditioned). Sampled at the Wear Valley CAMRA beer festival. (Room temperature). Low (natural) carbonation, some lacing. Black. Surprisingly fruity and flowery notes in the aroma. Roasted flavour with fruity tones, nice bitterness.

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

Allegedly brewed according to an old Russian porter recipe, with kvas/kwas as one of the ingredients! Contract brewed by Brauerei Locher "im Auftrag der BALIK Räucherei im Toggenberg AG", website www.balik.com . The Räucherei even supplied the smoked salmon I had with this beer (330 ml bottle) at the Seafood Bar at Stansted Airport, London (Norwegian salmon, smoked in Switzerland, sold in England, eaten by a Norwegian - a well travelled fish!) According to the BALIK website the beer should be served cool at 12 degrees C, but I got it served fridge cold. While the coldness must have taken away some of the flavour details, it probably made the beer more drinkable with seafood, taking the edge off the heavy sweetness. The beer has a brown colour with a slight haziness, low head. Aroma and flavour are more like a port wine than a "normal" beer. Very sweet, warming mouthfeel (no surprise at 11% ABV!), spicy, a bit alcoholic, but interesting. Decent hops in the finish.

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Very dark brown colour, nearly black. Moderate but pleasant roast aroma, notes of dark chocolate, dried fruits and tobacco. Moderate roast flavour, notes of coffee and dried fruits. Medium dry (or medium sweet, if you like).

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Black colour, low head. Roasty aroma, hints of dark chocolate. Flavour is decidedly roasty with coffee notes, quite dry. Not very complex, but beats Guinness any day! Rerate: 500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 4.0%. Black colour, big and creamy brown head. Pleasant aroma of dark roasted malts, coffee and dark chocolate, hints of smoke and tar. The flavour has roasted malts, mild coffee and dark bitter chocolate, some fruit in the finish, with a roasty bitterness and moderate hops in the aftertaste. Good beer, but would probably profit from a higher ABV.

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. ABV was listed as 4.9%. The brewery website does not mention the ABV, it might vary. This is another lovely citrussy golden ale from Oakham, a style which seems to be their specialty. Golden colour, low head. Plenty of citrus, tropical fruits and honey in the aroma. Flavour has some citrus, but also some of the dusty hoppiness you’ll find in many Southern English ales.