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

Feb. 2014: 750 ml bottle, a gift from Mr. Papsø himself, many thanks! ABV is 6%. The glass fills completely with beige foam, and it takes a long time for the dark ruby beer to appear. Pleasant aroma of passion fruit and dark malts, hints of chocolate. Attractive and smooth fruity flavour, where the passion fruit blends in surprisingly well with the dark malts, probably because the roasted notes are not dominant. Moderate hops.

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

355 ml can, from Vinmonopolet (Kvadrat or Nettbutikken). ABV is 7.2%, IBUs 45. Hops are Mosaic, Citra, Hallertau Blanc and Galaxy. Moderately hazy golden colour, moderate white head. Aroma of tropical fruits and crushed grapes, hints of sweat. Flavour of citrus, tropical fruits and pine needles, decent bittering hops.

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

March 2019: On tap at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Black colour, minimal tan head. Aroma of roast malts, coffee, cocoa and lactose. The flavour has a slight fruitiness which makes it very drinkable, and has otherwise the same elements as the aroma. Not too sweet, moderate hops.

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

Oct. 2019: 355 ml can, shared by my son Steinar. ABV is 5.5%. Dark brown colour, beige head. Aroma of coffee and brown malts, also notes of chocolate, hints of vanilla. Slightly sweet flavour with the same ingredients, smooth and pleasant to drink.

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

December 2016: Shared 355 ml can at local tasting. Golden colour, white head. Strong aroma of zesty and citrussy American hops. Hoppy flavour, citrussy and enjoyable.

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

May 2020: 355 ml can, from Vinmonopolet Kvadrat. ABV is 6.5%, IBU 45. Hazy yellow colour, moderate white head. Lovely hoppy aroma, distinct notes of citrus, also hints of tropical fruits, spice, pine and spruce. The flavour is also citrussy, with a little sweetness of tropical fruits, a hint of spices, and a distinctly piney / resinous finish.

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

Oct. 2022: 355 ml can, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 7.5%. Gusher can. Hazy brownish-orange colour, small white head. Aroma of citric hops and orange marmalade, also notes of sandalwood and cedarwood. Citric and woody flavour with some peppery notes, reasonably bitter, slightly warming mouthfeel. Nice to drink.

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

May 2014: 355 ml can, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is not mentioned on the can. Slightly hazy golden colour, large white head. Distinct aroma of tropical fruits, also hints of herbs and spruce. Refreshing flavour, well hopped throughout, again notes of tropical fruits, herbs and spruce, with a grapefruity and resinous bitterness in the finish. Light bodied for its strength. High drinkability.

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

Feb. 2013: 375 ml bottle, as Givre Millesime 2009, from Vinmonopolet, bestillingsutvalget / nettbutikken. ABV is 7%. Deep amber to brown colour, no carbonation. Strong aroma of oak and fortified wine - the apples are there in the background. Very sweet and intense flavour, notes of sweet apples, raisins, oak and fortified wine.

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

Dec. 2017: 750 ml bottle, as Duvel Barrel Aged Batch No. 2 Bourbon, at Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 11.5%. Deep golden colour, small white head. Aroma of bourbon and American oak, but still fairly light and fruity. The flavour has distinct notes of bourbon and oak, hints of caramel and vanilla, some hops.

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

Feb. 2015: 375 ml bottle, as Crooked Stave Surette Provision Saison Artisan Ale Aged in Oak Barrels, 2014 batch 13. ABV is 6.2%. At Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Slightly hazy golden colour, low white head of poor retention. Sourish aroma, strong notes of farmhouse, lemons, white wine vinegar and oak. Very sour and lemony flavour, medium dry, nearly like an unblended lambic, some oaky notes. Not a saison by any stretch of the mind.

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

March 2015: 375 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. 2014 / Batch 11. ABV is 4.2%. Golden colour, low white head. Pleasant brettanomyces aroma, notes of farmhouse kitchen and mild spices, hints of oaked cider. The flavour has a moderate acidity, slightly tart, with fruity (esp. lemons) and spicy notes. Easy drinking and refreshing.

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

Oct. 2020: 750 ml corked & caged bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 9.666%. Black colour, moderate tan head. Aroma of ripe and over-ripe raspberries. Sour flavour of raspberries, lemons and lactic acid. Only a hint of oak and whiskey.

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

November 2015: Sample on tap at What’s Brewing Beer Festival, Stavanger. Lemony / citrussy and very refreshing, but not extreme. Refreshing. I liked this one.

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

500 ml can, probably from Bunnpris Sauda. ABV is 4.5%, IBU 25. Very dark brown colour, nearly black. Large to moderate beige head. Aroma of Christmas spices and gingerbread: cardamom, coriander seeds, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. I feared the flavour would be too sweet, but it is not. Fairly light bodied, with just enough malts to support the distinct notes of said spices. A moderate hop bitterness in the aftertaste.

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

330 ml can, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 5.5%. Deep golden to orange-brown colour, only slightly hazy. Moderate to small white head. Aroma of malts, old jam, porridge and piney American hops. Malty flavour first, a little fruit, then a distinct bitterness of resinous and grapefruity American hops.

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

On tap at Cardinal. Very dark brown colour, nearly black. Moderate beige head. Pleasant aroma and flavour of moderately roasted malts, roasted nuts, dark chocolate and mild coffee, and enough bittering hops to make the beer very moreish. This is more of a porter than a brown ale in my book, but I don't mind, as I love porters.

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

500 ml can, probably from Bunnpris Sauda. ABV is 4.5%. Reddish brown colour, moderate off-white head. Moderate aroma of caramel. Light bodied, slightly citric mouthfeel. Flavour of caramel, brown bread, moderately roasted malts, burnt breadcrumbs, moderate bittering hops. Sorry, I don't want lite / light beers for Christmas / Yuletide. Nor for Easter. Not at any time of the year, really.

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

440 ml can, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 6.8%, hops are Citra, Centennial and Simcoe. Gusher can. Moderately hazy golden to orange colour, small white head. Aroma of citric and piney American hops. Citric mouthfeel and flavour, resinous finish, medium bitterness. Okay.

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

330 ml can, at Cardinal, Stavanger. Pale golden colour, small white head. Interesting aroma and flavour of spiced tea, also plenty of lactic acid. Despite the excessive acidity, there is some kind of balance here, and the beer is very refreshing. Might sample this one again.

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

330 ml can, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 4.7%. Clear reddish-orange colour, small head, slightly off-white. Aroma and flavour of redcurrants and passionfruit, plenty of lactic acid (sour and tart enough even for the most demanding of you).

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 3 | Overall: 3

330 ml clear bottle, from Rema 1000, Tau. ABV is 4.5%. Crystal clear pale golden colour, moderate white head. Sweetish aroma of maize, pilsener malts and newmown grass. Dull and boring flavour, not quite as sweet as I feared though, with far too little hops, but not directly offensive. Next!

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

330 ml can, at Cardinal, Stavanger. ABV is 4.7%. Pale golden colour, minimal white head. Moderate aroma of lactic acid and mild spices. Medium sour flavour (lactic acid), hints of mild spices and herbal hops.

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

330 ml can, at Cardinal, Stavanger. Golden to orange colour, moderate white head. Aroma and a very sour flavour of lactic acid / yoghurt, oranges, pineapple and passionfruit. In other words: No surprises there.