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

April 2019: 330 ml bottle, probably at Kaisla Beer House, Helsinki, ABV 9.0%. Black colour, tan head. Both aroma and flavour are very well balanced, AFAIK without any unusual ingredients - this is an imperial stout the way it should be. Notes of roast malts, chocolate, coffee and liquorice, hints of tar. Not too sweet. Moderate hops. The best beer I had in Finland.

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

650 ml bottle, as Southern Tier Imperial Crème Brûlée Stout, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 10.0%. Pitch black colour, big tan head. Intense aroma of crème brûlée and vanilla from the moment you open the bottle, amazing! The smell includes caramel, of course - but also chocolate and mild coffee. The sweet flavour is first and foremost crème brûlée again, but also roasty notes of strong coffee, dark bitter chocolate and liquorice. Also some hoppy bitterness in the finish. Warming mouthfeel. An incredible dessert beer!

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

330 ml bottle, a gift from OleR. Wow - I really owe that man a few beers now! Vintage 2009. ABV is 13%. Pitch black colour, huge chocolate brown head. Lovely complex aroma of roasted malts, leather, oak, bourbon, vanilla and dark chocolate. The flavour is roasty with notes of strong coffee and dark bitter chocolate, but also notes of oak and bourbon, hints of liquorice. A distinct hoppy and roasty bitterness in the finish. Impressive stuff!

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

Bottle, kindly shared by gunnar. ABV is 9.5%. Pitch black colour, creamy brown head. Intense aroma of chocolate and espresso coffee, also liquorice and oak. The flavour is oaky and roasty with loads of chocolate, without being too sweet. Also notes of liquorice and espresso coffee. Well balanced, an excellent beer!

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

750 ml bottle, corked "champagne" style. "Best before" date 23.03.2001! - brewed by De Smedt. Cloudy brown colour, large and lingering light tan head. Excellent vinous aroma, oak, red berries, leather. Pleasant oaky flavour with a nice acidity, vinous character. Notes of spices, well balanced hops. Very nice "cave beer".

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

375 ml waxed bottle, batch #1390, 2020 vintage (Rackhouse series), Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 13.5%. Pitch black colour, large to moderate tan head. Lovely aroma of roast malts, bourbon whiskey, oak (or maple) and vanilla. Rich and warming mouthfeel. The sweet flavour has the same elements as the aroma, also notes of caramel, liquorice and chocolate, moderate bittering hops. An excellent beer!

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

355 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 9.5%. Black colour, large and impressive brown head. Lovely aroma of roast malts, chocolate and oak, also hints of coffee. Roasty flavour, medium sweet, notes of dark chocolate and strong coffee, also oak and distinct bittering hops, hints of unsweetened liquorice. Warming throatfeel of cayenne. Excellent beer.

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

500 ml bottle in cardboard box, as Fuller’s Bottle Conditioned Imperial Stout Limited Edition. ABV is 10.7%. From the Fuller’s Brewery store, also available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Pitch black colour, moderate tan head. Lovely aroma, roasty and floral notes, hints of coffee, chocolate, leather and rosebuds. Distinctly roasty flavour, notes of strong coffee, dark chocolate and liquorice, floral notes in the background. Decent hops (Centennial).

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

500 ml bottle in cardboard box, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 8.5%. Bottle No. 052643. Deep reddish brown colour (more red than brown, actually), large off-white head. Aroma of raisins, dates, caramel and toffee. Rich malty flavour with notes of raisins and dark dried fruits, some caramel sweetness, but not too much. Probably good for many more years, but also eminently drinkable right now.

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

440 ml can, as Moersleutel Smeerolie Mexicake Imperial Stout, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 11%. Pitch black colour, large brown head. The aroma has notes of roast malts, coffee, dark chocolate / cocoa, vanilla and cinnamon, hints of smoked chilies. Smooth, warming and rich mouthfeel. The medium sweet flavour has the same elements as the aroma, but there is now a more distinct chili burn, and moderate bittering hops. Outstanding beer!

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

A beer for extremists - if the brewers / maltsters had roasted the malt more, we'd be talking about cremation! An excellent after dinner beer, could stand in for a cup of espresso. Aftertaste lasts forever. One bottle is enough for the evening

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

ABV was 7% (bottle bought in Finland). This beer pours with an enormous lasting head, cloudy brown colour. Lovely aroma of oak, leather and spices. Well balanced spicy flavour, slightly bitter finish. Aftertaste could have lasted a bit longer, but this is still a thoroughly well made beer.

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

(355 ml bottle, bought in London). Pours with a large tan head, colour is very dark, nearly black (= very, very dark ruby when held to the light). Lovely complex aroma where coffee, dark chocolate, prunes, oak and sandalwood shine through. Flavour is initially sweet and mellow, then a distinct bitterness comes through. Coffee notes are dominant. There's something undefined strange in the aftertaste that keeps me from giving it a straight "10". Still, this is a top class porter!

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

(275 ml corked bottle.) Bottled in 2004 ( I couldn’t wait). Dark copper colour, slightly hazy, large tan head. Intense and beguiling aroma of raspberries and blackberries, spices, oak and vintage port wine or sherry. Flavour is a bit raw in the edges, as expected for a bottle this fresh. There’s plenty of sweet (but not cloying) flavour elements of malts, caramel, raisins, plum pudding, spices and old sherry. Just enough hops to stand up to the sweetness. Warming mouthfeel - I suspect the ABV had already crept well above the stated 9%. This beer really is something special! Now, I wish I had a few more bottles available for cellaring - and the character to keep them for a few years!

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

330ml bottle, bought at Borough Market, London. Pours with a large light tan head, colour is brown, slightly hazy. Excellent aroma: Oak, sandalwood, camphor, caramel, toffee, spices. Flavour has caramel, spices, oak - but is not quite as complex as I hoped. Still very good - it’s a Trappist! Moderate but decent hops + spices in the finish.

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

(750 ml "champagne" bottle, vintage 1997-98). Pours with an enormous lasting head. Cloudy golden colour. Lovely aroma of sour fruits, notes of spices and horse stable. Flavour is fruity, sour but not vinegar, a little tart. Quite dry. Reminds me of a brut champagne. Moreish aftertaste. Yummy!

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

I had the 2001 'vintage', it probably would have developed its character if it had been cellared a few years like the brewery recommends, but as I personally have an extremely weak character, I was unable to wait! Even as fresh as this Carnegie is a fine porter. It may be tiresome repeating that porters have coffee-like qualities - actually, a good porter like this one has a lot better flavour than any cup of coffee! The aftertaste is moreish, this is definitely a beer I'll buy again. Good to experience that Pripps are able to brew something far better than their shitty lagers. Same recipe since 1836, great! Now if I just could find someone with an iron will and a huge padlock who would cellar a few bottles for me...

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

Rerate 2004, 500 ml bottle conditioned: Recipe has been changed this year. The beer is now much darker, nearly black. Good tan head. Complex aroma and flavour, a distinct roastiness but also spices and leather. Full rich flavour, bitter aftertaste - this is a damn good beer!! Rating 2003: (500 ml bottle). Christmas/Yule ale from Norway’s sole uncompromising micro brewery. Only 5000 bottles made. Bottle conditioned. Deep copper colour, hazy only when yeast is poured. Moderate head. Aroma of oak, leather, caramel and spices. Flavour is malty and spicy, alcohol is evident. Drier than I expected. Good bitterness. A good beer, but after all the good things I’ve heard about it, I expected even more.

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

330 ml bottle, bought at Selfridge’s, London. Black (= very dark brown) colour. Truly impressive large and thick brown head. Aroma of malts, oak, leather, coffee and dark chocolate. Flavour is overwhelmingly bitter from the roasted barley and hops, but also sweeter than regular Guinness. Elements of very strong coffee, hints of bitter chocolate. Bitterness lasts through the long aftertaste. Not for beginners. The crowd who think nitro draught Guinness is "sooo strong" should try this one!

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

(500 ml. bottle) Depending on the source of light, colour changes from dark brown to dark ruby. Good tan head that doesn't last very long but leaves a good lacing. Moderate aroma of oak, caramel and English pipe tobacco. Well balanced malty flavour with roast notes. Not too sweet. Roast bitterness in the aftertaste, maybe slightly too bitter/tart in the end - or maybe not. All in all a great beer! One of my favourite nightcaps.

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

Cask at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004, gravity dispense. Colour is black / dark ruby. Lovely aroma of dark fruits / prunes, English pipe tobacco, chocolate and coffee. Flavour is roast barley and oats on a surprisingly fruity background. Very drinkable. Fruity aftertaste - not what you expect from a stout, but nice! (And the beer is vegan - as if I cared!)

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

Brewed for every Christmas since 1999, this year (2002) unbelievably is the first (but definitely not the last!) year I have had this excellent beer. The recipe this year is supposed to be slightly less sweet than in 2001. Dark reddish brown colour, low head, pleasant but initially surprisingly weak roasted aroma (improves as the beer warms up). This is par excellence the most flavourful beer in Norway for nearly a century (between 1909 and 1999 max. ABV was 7%). Not as subtle and complex flavour as Aass Bock, but robust as hell. Roasted malts and coffee abound, Christmas spices and decent hops are balanced by a sufficient sweetness. Alcohol (9,9%) is well hidden. Robust aftertaste. Now THIS is a beer for the big boys! (OK, for big girls too.) Rerate Christmas 2004: Still excellent! Robust and "raw" in the edges, but I love it!

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

750 ml corked bottle conditioned, cool label! Brown colour, slightly hazy, good initial head but not lingering, lovely spicy aroma, yeasty, malty and spicy flavour - a real treat for the Christmas table.

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Dark reddish brown colour. Complex aroma of dark fruits, spices and oak, various woodwork, some chocolate. Flavour is spicy, oaky, malty, chocolate, there’s vinous qualities (old sherry, marsala). Nutty / dusty hops finish. A great beer! Rerate, 330 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 8.5%. Dark ruby coloured beer, low off-white head. Nice vinous aroma with notes of dark dried fruits, hints of oak. The flavour is rich, sweet and malty, notes of figs and molasses. Spicy hops and nuts in the finish. Not quite as complex as the cask version, but still a good beer.

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

Cask conditioned at the 32nd Cambridge Beer Festival, gravity dispense. Very dark brown to chestnut, nearly black. Lovely strong aroma of roast malts, dark chocolate and prunes. Notes of oak and cigars too. Flavour is roasty, smooth and mellow with chocolate notes. Roasty aftertaste. Very good.