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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.8%. Golden colour, like a pils, some chill haze. Decent white head, nice lacing. Aroma has first strong notes of tropical fruits (aromatic hops), then the aroma subsides and I get moderate notes of honey and flowers. Moderate carbonation, soft moutheel. Flavour has first some moderate fruity notes, then a gentle hoppy bitterness takes you by the hand and leads you through the finish and aftertaste. The beer is light bodied, and is indeed one for those hot summer days - but I quite enjoyed it in the dead of December too. I imagine this would be a good "introduction ale" for lager louts - the first step into the world of better ales, so to speak.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Copper coloured, large and lingering creamy light tan head, leaves a nice lacing. Very nice aroma of toast, roasted malts, burnt caramel, orange marmalade and aromatic hops. Powerful flavour of roasted malts, burnt toast, caramel, brown bread and nuts. A distinct hoppy and roasty bitterness in the finish and aftertaste. Not a beer of the "easy drinking" kind, but has definitely character. I might have liked a tad more sweetness to balance the bitterness, but this is still an excellent beer. As the beer warms up, the malts come even more in front, and the bitterness is somewhat less dominant.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. This is an "organic" beer. Clear golden colour, large and lingering head. Moderate but okay aromatic hops with notes of honey. Flavor is instantly "dusty" hops (First Gold and Hallertau), then some hints of honey and caramel, while a distinct but not overdone hoppy bitterness carries you through, and stays with you in the aftertaste. Not bad, but I am not convinced that Hallertau is the best hop for a golden ale.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Clear golden to amber colour, moderate but lingering head. Lovely hoppy aroma with distinct notes of flowers and tropical fruits. Moderately malty flavour with "dusty" / biscuity and citrussy hops. Moderate bitterness, fairly dry. Moderate carbonation, easy drinking.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.3%. This beer is apparently named after the original idea of "painting the town red" (see label). Listen, taggers and other vandals: it might have seemed funny the first time, but it’s not funny any more! The beer is more brown than red, slightly hazy, and pours with a moderate to low head. Are you sure this beer is not bottle conditioned? Moderate carbonation, soft mouthfeel. Pleasant aroma of malts, earth, caramel, blackcurrant leaves and dark fruits. Flavour is perfectly balanced between the malts and hops, not too sweet, despite some caramel in the background - no off-flavours here: Melton Red tastes like BEER, and a damn good one too!

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 5.0%. Copper coloured, slightly hazy, moderate to low off-white head. Aroma of earth, honey and flowers. Flavour is rich and malty but not too sweet, some burnt caramel, balanced by decent hops, a distinct bitterness in the finish and aftertaste. Moderate carbonation. I like it!

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

500 ml brown bottle, as Arundel Sussex Gold, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Brewed with East Kent Goldings, Fuggles and Cascade hops. Golden to amber colour, moderate white head. Aroma is surprisingly moderate, faint notes of aromatic hops. The hops come through in the flavour though, first some notes of "dusty" EKG, then more pronounced Cascade and Fuggles. A moderate grapefruity bitterness in the aftertaste. Refreshing and reasonably hoppy, not a bad beer, but I would guess the cask version has more going.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.2%. Some of the profits of the sale of this beer benefits the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Clear deep golden to amber colour, big white head. Very moderate aroma, stale water and dusty attic, a hint of honey and caramel comes through as the beer warms up. Flavour is moderately hoppy, hints of toffee and biscuits, fairly dry, some fruit in the finish. Nothing offensive in the flavour, this is an easy drinking session bitter, but definitely not a beer that stands out from the crowd. Unremarkable and relatively short aftertaste.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. bottle conditioned, ABV is 4.5%. Very dark brown colour, nearly black. Decent and lingering creamy tan head. The slug-like "trail" of the head down the side of the glass as you drink has allegedly given the beer its name - together with the fact that the brewers had to "fight" slugs coming into the brewery at the old premises. (As we know, slugs LOVE beer.) Pleasant aroma of prunes, mild coffee and chocolate. Roasty flavour, fairly dry, notes of coffee, dark bread and chocolate. Some fruity notes in the finish, "coffee" aftertaste. A decent porter with a moderate ABV.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Bottle conditioned, 4.0% ABV. Amber coloured, large off-white head. Nice hoppy and initially very fruity aroma, some toffee too. Flavour is reasonably hoppy with a moderate grapefruity bitterness, on a tolerable malty base with hints of nuts and some caramel. Not a "big beer" in any way, but I think I can subscribe to the brewery’s statement that it is "palatable any time of the day". This is a beer I could drink for breakfast.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Bottle conditioned. Brewed with pale malt only. Golden colour, just a slight haziness, large off-white head. Nice hoppy aroma, hints of citrus, leather and maybe some oak. Distinct hoppy flavour throughout, some citrus and toffee, fruity finish. Bitter and long lasting aftertaste. A refreshing beer - not bad at all.

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

500 ml bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Very dark reddish brown colour, nearly black. Moderate to low tan head, no lacing. Very moderate roasty aroma with hints of bakery and seaweed. Flavour has a very moderate roastiness with some sourish and salty notes. Thin mouthfeel for a stout. Short aftertaste. Drinkable of course, but I expected so much more. By the way, oysters WITH stout I understand, but how the hell did someone think of putting oysters IN stout??? Yes, I know it’s a pre-war recipe, but that does not necessarily make a bad idea better.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. "Hand brewed" by RCH Brewery, but bottle conditioned by Branded Drinks. ABV is 6.0%. Contains coriander seed oil. Deep amber colour, just a slight haziness, low head. Enticing and very special aroma - coriander, cloves and ginger, rum-drenched raisins, fortified sweet wines and herbal shampoo. Flavour is very spicy - one of the spiciest beers I've had so far, initially sweet and vinous, but with a ferocious attack of coriander, dry ginger and bittering hops in the finish. Dry aftertaste. I'd say they could with advantage have gone a little easier on the spices here, and we'd have a softer and more drinkable beer. The ale "base" seems decent enough. As it is, this is an INTERESTING beer, to say the least. Not for people who hate coriander and ginger.

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

500 ml brown bottle, Christmas 2006, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 5.0%. Reddish amber colour, moderate head. OK but moderate aroma of bakery and earthy hops. Flavour is nicely balanced between the malts and hops, and makes this a very drinkable premium bitter, but there is nothing that really "stands out" and makes the beer "something special" for Christmas. Might as well be an all-year beer. Okay, but is probably better from a well kept cask.

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. "Conditioned in the bottle". ABV is 6%. Copper coloured, slightly hazy. Moderate beige head. Very nice aroma, vinous notes, also notes of rum-drenched raisins, oak and Christmas pudding. Rich flavour with substantial malts, hints of Christmas pudding, caramel, spices, oak and port wine. Decent hops dominate the finish and the bitter aftertaste. A very nice Christmas ale!

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Bottle conditioned (?), ABV is 5.5%. Clear amber to brown colour, moderate head. Strong sweetish and hoppy aroma, notes of strawberries, blackcurrants, figs, caramel and Christmas pudding. Pleasant flavour with moderately sweet fruity notes, some biscuity notes and caramel too. Distinct hops throughout. Soft and pleasant mouthfeel. A nice Christmas ale this one!

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

600 ml bottle, a gift from Tom, thanks! ABV is 5.2%. American-inspired "pre-prohibition" lager, brewed with Cascade hops. Deep golden colour, a slight haziness, moderate but rich head. Cascade, flowers and honey in the aroma. Moderately malty flavour with hints of heather honey and caramel, but not really sweet. Moderate but pleasant hops throughout. Hoppy aftertaste lasts "forever". Not a bad beer this one!

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

500 ml can, as Holsten Premium Lager. ABV is 5.0%. Golden colour, moderate head. Standard pale lager aroma, grassy notes. Flavour has first some sweetness, then a certain bitterness takes over, metallic notes. Not a great beer by any means, but as international pale lagers go: I’ve had worse.

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

600 ml brown bottle, ABV is 6.5%. Deep golden colour, decent head. Nice hoppy aroma, hints of grapefruit, but also some "dusty" (Goldings?) notes. Flavour is relatively sweet (too sweet?) with alcoholic notes, but there’s also a substantial hoppy bitterness, which the style requires. Not very easily drinkable.

Aroma: 3 | Appearance: 3 | Mouthfeel: 2 | Flavor: 2 | Overall: 3

250 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. Golden colour, minimal head. Weak aroma of citrus, avocado, boiled vegetables and cheap white wine. Flavour is very bland and un-fresh (dirt, dust), metallic finish. Avoid.

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

500 ml brown bottle, "thrice hopped", courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 4.5%. Golden colour, with a slight haziness (due to cold temperature?), moderate head. Nice hoppy / grapefruity aroma. Pleasant hoppy / grapefruity flavour too, spritzy mouthfeel. Distinctly bitter finish / long aftertaste. Not bad!

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

500 ml brown bottle, courtesy of Cardinal pub, Stavanger. ABV is 5.5%. Brewed with American Chinook and Columbus hops. Golden colour, large foamy head. Pleasant hoppy aroma and flavour, both with notes of citrus and dry white wine. Bitter finish. Okay beer, but I’d like the malts to come through too.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 4 | Mouthfeel: 3 | Flavor: 4 | Overall: 3

500 ml can. Another beer from Mack for the target group teenagers+ (who are presumed not to be able to drink beers with traceable hops), but this time they have decided to make a beer that (at least) LOOKS like a normal Christmas beer. And unlike their "smrprty" beer, this one even has a bit of aroma and flavour (but not much hops, of course ...). Amber colour, huge head which lasts a while. Weak aroma, some caramel sweetness and Christmas cookies. Soft and thin/watery mouthfeel, some malty sweetness with hints of caramel and Christmas cookies. Hardly any bitterness at all. Not offensive, but very boring!

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

330 ml brown bottle, now available in Norway (Vinmonopolet, bestillingsutvalget). ABV is 7%. Hazy brown colour, huge head. Okay fruity aroma (orange peel and dark fruits) with notes of spices and oak. Flavour is moderately spicy and fruity with a fairly soft mouthfeel. Not the most complex Belgian I’ve had, but decent enough. Over-priced in Norway, though.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 5

330 ml green bottle. Amber coloured, large off-white head. Weak aroma with hints of berries (incl. juniper berries?) and boiled vegetables. Flavour has very moderate malts and hops (and possibly bog myrtle), notes of caramel but not very sweet. Thin and faintly sourish mouthfeel. A very boring beer, but not offensive.