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

700 ml bottle, unfiltered. ABV was 5.8%. Copper coloured, slightly hazy, good head. Moderate malty aroma with caramel and spices, hints of fruits. Flavour is malty, caramel, nuts and spices with a substantial hoppy bitterness. Moderate bitterness in the aftertaste. In a blind test I’d probably guess this was an English strong bitter / strong ale. Not bad.

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

330 ml bottle, bought in Germany. ABV is 4.9%. Beautiful reddish brown colour, large and lingering greyish light tan head. Moderate malty aroma with some caramel and spices, some flowery aromatic hops too. Flavour is moderately malty and herbal with moderate hops, a little burnt caramel too. Easy drinking, but not one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

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

(500 ml bottle, in Sweden). Allegedly a combination of lager and altbier (50/50?). The lager is the winner. Light golden brown colour. Malty aroma with hints of new-mown hay. Malty flavour with a not-too-pleasant bitterness. Drinkable, not outstanding. I'd prefer a pure altbier!

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

500 ml bottle, bought in Germany. Brewed in the Oettinger Group's brewery in Mönchengladbach (one of their 5 German breweries). Clear brown colour, large creamy offwhite head. Moderate malty aroma with notes of caramel, hints of berries. One-dimensional malty flavour with moderate hops, mouthfeel is a bit dusty and metallic. Not a great altbier, but drinkable.

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

On tap at Nabokjelleren, Bergen. ABV was 5.5%. Beautiful reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Lovely strong aroma of butterscotch, toffee and caramel. The flavour is fairly malty but not too sweet, some caramel, decent German(?) hops throughout.

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

500 ml bottle, as Original Pinkus Obergärig (Münstersch Alt is mentioned on the rear label), from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 5.1%. Like all Pinkus beers, it is organic. Crystal clear and extremely pale yellow colour, more like a Kölsch than any Altbier I know. Moderate but lasting white head. Weak aroma, some grassy and dusty hops. The flavour is clean and refreshing enough, a typical Kölsch, I’d say (disregarding that the beer is not brewed in Köln). There are no offensive side flavours, but the moderately hopped flavour does not blow my socks off either. Clearly drinkable, but so are many other (and better) beers. Won’t buy again.

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

500 ml bottle, from Bris Ølutsalg, Jørpeland. ABV is 4.7%. Dark brown colour, large beige head. Distinct malty aroma, notes of caramel and toasted brown bread with syrup, also hints of dark berries. Malty flavour with toasted brown bread again, but not very sweet. A moderate but nice fruitiness makes the beer very drinkable. Decent bittering hops in the finish.

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

Cask half pint at JDW, Victoria Station, London. ABV was 5.0%. Brewed at Shepherd Neame. Dark amber to brown colour, moderate off-white head. Aroma and flavour of toffee and caramel, but the beer is not very sweet. Very moderate bitterness, a bit disappointing for an "American" guest brew.

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: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub / farm / guesthouse. Cloudy brown colour, creamy head. Distinctly malty (carahell) aroma, also notes of yeast, caramel and some pinewood, just a little hops (Saaz). The flavour is very fruity and acidic, unfortunately well on its way to vinegar, some residual sweetness. Minimal hops.

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

Draught at Gladmatfestivalen 2007, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Dark copper coloured beer, creamy head. Malty aroma with some caramel. Malty and well rounded flavour with a moderate but sufficient bitterness, which becomes very distinct in the finish.

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

Bottle, at RBESG 2007 in Glasgow, Grand Tasting. Beautiful chestnut colour, large off-white head. Very malty aroma with strong notes of bakery. Malty flavour, loads of caramel, moderate hops.

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

Bottle, 4.8% ABV, RBNAG 2009 in Vatlandsvåg. Cognac to deep amber colour, moderate off-white head. Distinct aroma of wort, malts and rye bread. The flavour is dominant malty with notes of brown bread, low bitterness. Nice.

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

On tap at the GBBF 2008. Dark brown colour, low head. Nice aroma of caramel and butterscotch. "Dusty" flavour, malty with a noticeable hoppy finish.

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

Cask at the GBBF 2008, gravity dispense. ABV was 5.5%. Golden brown colour, no head. Fruity mild aroma and flavour, notes of blackcurrant and raspberry leaves. Low bitterness.

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

330 ml swingtop bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 8.5%. Dark and hazy reddish brown colour, small off-white head, nice lacing. Aroma of malts, caramel, oak, dark dried fruits. Medium sweet flavour with the same elements, but also distinct bittering hops.

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

500 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 5.4%. Chestnut colour, moderate to small off-white head. Nutty aroma, also notes of caramel and brown bread. The flavour has the same elements, and is not too sweet, but a lack of bittering hops makes it a bit dull.

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

June 2019: 375 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet. ABV is 9.2%. Against the Grain is not mentioned on the label. Very dark reddish brown colour, nearly black. Small beige head. Sourish aroma of brettanomyces / farmhouse, lactic acid, red wine vinegar and oak, hints of bourbon and vanilla. Very sour flavour (too sour?) with distinct notes of red wine vinegar and lactic acid.

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

330 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 5.5%. Clear and deep reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Moderate aroma of malts, hints of caramel, brown bread and mild spices. Smooth mouthfeel and flavour. Notes of malts (but not too sweet), brown bread, caramel, dark fruits and berries. Moderate hops.

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

500 ml bottle, will soon be available at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 11%. Beautiful mahogany colour, moderate off-white head. Aroma of brown bread, pumpernickel and slightly burnt breadcrumbs, also caramel. Very sweet and malty flavour, loads of caramel, hints of Danish pastry and pumpernickel bread. Very moderate hops. Not a typical Altbier, but okay if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.

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

440 ml can, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 5.5%. Slightly hazy amber to reddish brown colour, large white head. Malty aroma, notes of toffee and brown bread with syrup, distinct notes of coffee. Flavour of mild coffee, malts, toffee and caramel, not too sweet, a hint of dried dates. Very moderate hops. I was skeptical to adding coffee to an altbier, but it has been done with moderation, so the beer stands forth as pretty well balanced.

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

330 ml longneck swingtop bottle, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 6.0%. Brown colour, large off-white head. Aroma of malts, earth, blackcurrants, dark bread, herbs and spices. The flavour has the same elements, some caramel too, but is not too sweet. Decent bitterness. Overall an excellent beer.

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

On tap at Cardinal, Stavanger. Hazy brown colour, moderate off-white head. Nice aroma of citrus, berries, pine and spruce. Piney flavour, citrus in the background.

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

330 ml bottle, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 5.2%. Clear and deep reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Aroma of malts, caramel, brown bread, dark fruits and berries. The flavour is malty but not too sweet, with the same elements as the aroma, also yeasty notes, moderate hops.

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

440 ml can, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 7.5%. Brown colour, moderate and lasting off-white head. Aroma of brown bread, caramel and brittle, hints of dark fruits. Malty flavour with the same elements, medium dry, also distinct earthy and herbal hops. Noticeable alcohol.