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

750 ml "champagne" bottle, from Vinmonopolet (bestillingsutvalget). ABV is 11%. Pale yellow colour, slightly hazy, big white head. The aroma is yeasty and spicy, hints of fermenting fruits and horse blanket - good, but not as great as I expected. The flavour is moderately sweet, certainly not "brut", notes of white candi sugar and spices, with noticeable alcohol. Moderate hops. Again: good, but I hoped for more complexity. Probably worth the price in Belgium, but not in Norway (NOK 219).

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

375 ml "champagne" bottle, from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 6.0%. Pours with an enormous white (possibly slightly off-white) head, which slowly reveals a beer of hazy deep golden colour. Lovely complex aroma of farmhouse and fermenting fruits, hints of oak and spices. The flavour is fairly sour and tart, with a dry finish. Some hops in the aftertaste. Good stuff!

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

Draught, sampled at Gladmatfestivalen, Stavanger. Unfortunately served far too cold. This is a good dark amber/brown ale (and Norwegian ales are rare!), not a stout as the name implies. Slightly cloudy appearance. Moderately hopped, malty well balanced rounded flavour. Hints of yeast. Caramel malts must be among the 5 types used. This "farm brewery" is about 7 years old, built in an old sheepshed! Their 3 ales are mainly available in Valdres, mostly draught but some of their production is bottled too. They also have a tiny pub at the brewery that's open only Friday nights, or at other hours for groups by appointment.

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

330 ml bottle, as BrewDog Speedball, at Olympen, Oslo. I think the ABV was 7.8%. Deep amber to reddish colour, moderate head. Distinct aroma of American hops, and some honey. The flavour is first distinctly hoppy and rather bitter, then the flavour is mellowed when the malts and the special ingredients come through (guarana, kola nuts and heather honey - I can’t identify the Californian poppy), as the beer warms up a little. All in all a pleasant mouthfeel and an enjoyable beer.

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

330 ml bottle, at Olympen, Oslo. ABV was 8.0%. Dark ruby colour, nearly black. Minimal tan head, low carbonation. Nice aroma of roasted malts, sweetened coffee, chocolate and dark dried fruits. The flavour is fairly sweet with a distinct roastiness, notes of coffee, dark chocolate and liquorice.

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

750 ml "champagne" green bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Limited edition of 7500 bottles, my botttle No. 3470. ABV is 11.0%. Deep golden to brown colour, moderate head, slightly off-white. Excellent aroma of sherry, whisky, figs, vanilla and oak, also notes of heather honey. The flavour is fairly sweet with a warming mouthfeel, again notes of sherry, whisky, vanilla, heather honey and raisins. Still relatively light bodied for an 11% beer. Some "dusty" bog myrtle and very moderate hops in the finish.

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

500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger, as Joker IPA, green label. ABV is 5%. Golden colour, big white head. Nice aroma of fruity hops, citrussy and grassy notes, hints of mild spices and herbs. The flavour is fruity with an initial sweetness and noticeable hops throughout, moderate bitterness in the finish and aftertaste. Not quite what Americans would think of as an IPA, but a fairly well hopped premium bitter / golden ale all the same. Nice one. Would buy again.

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

500 ml unlabelled bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Very dark brown colour, nearly black. Big to moderate tan head. Intense peaty / smoky aroma of Islay malt whisky, also notes of tar and salty sea air, hints of vanilla and liquorice. The flavour is dominated by an overwhelming peatiness and smokiness, too much actually, as the original qualities of God Jul are kind of blocked out. Hints of tar, vanilla and liquorice again. Definitely interesting, but requires that you really like Islay whisky.

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

Bottle, 8.5% ABV, as Beer Here Dark Hops Hoppy Black Ale, RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Brewed at Nøgne Ø, Norway. Pitch black colour, moderate brown head. Very nice aroma of roasted malts, coffee and chocolate, hints of liquorice. Distinctly roasty flavour, very dry, notes of strong bitter coffee, hints of dark bitter chocolate. Good, but I’d like a little more sweetness.

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

Bottle, RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Dark brown colour, nearly black, low head. Nice aroma of coffee and roasted malts. Coffee in the flavour too, also notes of alcohol and oak, there is also a slight acidity.

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

330 ml bottle Christmas 2009, bought in Norway at Vinmonopolet. ABV is 9%. Beautiful chestnut colour, clear first, gets murky when the yeast is poured in. Big beige head. Strong aroma of Christmas spices, malts and caramel, some vinous notes too. The mouthfeel is fuller and richer than the 6% version. The flavour is very malty and sweet, notes of Christmas spices, figs and candi sugar.

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.

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

750 ml corked bottle, now available in Norway at Vinmonopolet. ABV is 9.5%. Pours with a huge white head, which slowly gives way to a golden beer. Pleasant typical triple aroma of Belgian yeast, fruit and a mild spiciness. The flavour is fresh and fruity, again with a mild spiciness, alcohol is noticeable but not overwhelming. Moderately sweet, the finish is slightly peppery, with moderate hops.

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

750 ml corked bottle, now available in Norway at Vinmonopolet. ABV is 9.0%. Pale straw coloured beer, huge to big white head. Nice fruity and spicy aroma, moderate notes of Belgian yeast, hints of honey. The flavour is distinctly spicy on a moderately sweet and fruity background. The beer is fairly light bodied for its strength, alcohol is noticeable but not too much. Slightly peppery finish. A decent tripel! Will buy again.

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

330 ml clear bottle in cardboard box, now available in Norway (Vinmonopolet, bestillingsutvalget) - also at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 7.4%. Clear mahogany coloured beer with an off-white to beige head. Intense aroma of oak rum cask, notes of vanilla, spices, alcohol, brown sugar, treacle, rum-raisin and dark dried fruits. The flavour is distinctly oaky, but more mellow and rounded (without the strong notes of fresh wood) compared to the ordinary Innis & Gunn. Moderate sweetness, moderate notes of rum and spices, dry finish, very moderate hops. Should not be drunk too cold.

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

500 ml bottle, bought at Vaaland Spesialbutikken, Bryne. ABV is 3.9%. Golden colour, moderate white head. Nice hoppy aroma, notes of fruits, berries and pine forest. The flavour is zesty and fruity with a nice hop character, some citrus notes, a piney bitterness in the finish. I’ve said it before: I’m a sucker for golden ales like this one, with their moderate ABV and refreshingly hoppy character.

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

33 cl "cool" bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 5.4%. Also available at Vinmonopolet. Deep orange to brown colour, big off-white head. Some floaties from the sediment in the bottle. Lovely aroma of fruity American hops, notes of citrus. The flavour is distinctly hoppy with grapefruity notes, resin the finish. Some caramel malts too, fairly well balanced. Bitter aftertaste.

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

330 ml bottle, 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 piney 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.

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

750 ml corked and wired bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 6.2%. Batch brewed 28.11.09, bottle No. 483 of a total of 570. Bottle conditioned. Hazy deep golden to orange colour, big to moderate white head with an orangey hue. Very pleasant aroma of fruity American hops, hints of resin too. The flavour has loads of resinous and fruity hop notes, on a background of malty and fruity sweetness, ending in a moderate but distinct hoppy bitterness. Good stuff.

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

750 ml corked and wired bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 9.2%. Deep golden to amber colour, slightly hazy, with a decent white (or slightly off-white) head. Very nice spicy aroma, notes of Belgian ale yeast, also some fruity hops. The flavour is pretty far out on the sweet side, with distinct spicy and hoppy notes. The alcohol is noticeable though. Warming mouthfeel. Fairly impressive beer.

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

600 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 7,0%. Dark brown to chestnut colour, big beige head. Fruity aroma, notes of red wine vinegar and hops, hints of berries. Fairly clean and malty flavour with hints of caramel, but the beer has not much residual sweetness. Hints of berries again. Moderate hops. Nice enough.

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

750 ml stubby bottle, non-pasteurised, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 5.2%. Very pale yellow colour, big white head. Lovely aroma of flowery, herbal and fruity hops. The flavour is crisp and fresh with a moderate sweetness, herbal and floral hops throughout. Fine bitterness in the finish. One of the best pilseners I’ve had.

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

350 ml bottle, bought at Systembolaget, Sweden. ABV is 7.2%. Deep golden to orange colour, big off-white head. Lovely aroma of citrussy, herbal and piney American hops, hints of caramel too. Intense flavour of hops, piney and grapefruity notes, distinct bitterness, but I can live with it. Some malty sweetness too. Not bad!

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

330 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Reddish brown colour, big beige head with orangey hue. Very nice aroma of fruity hops, notes of red berries, hints of toffee. The flavour has also fruity hops throughout, also notes of burnt toast, hints of caramel. Moderate hops in the finish, but the bitterness actually gets more pronounced through the long aftertaste.

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

250 ml(?) bottles, courtesy of the brewery, on a couple of occasions. Pitch black colour, moderate to low tan head. Nice aroma of sweet malts, sweetened coffee, dark dried fruits and oak. Alcohol is noticeable. The flavour is very roasty, very malty and rich, and very sweet - but not too sweet, after all. This is a real treat for any beer lover with a "sweet tooth".