Haandbryggeriet Norwegian Wood

Brewed by Haandbryggeriet (Norway)
Style: Traditional Ale
Drammen, Norway

Considering the style, Scores ranging from 1 to 5, 5 being the most intense
Appearance:
Body:   Clear(1)->Murky(5) : 4   Light Brown(1)->Dark(5) : 3   Ruby : XX   Still(1)->Sparkling(5) : 3
Head:   None(1)->Large(5) : 4   White(1)->Tan(5) : 1   Lasting: 3   Lacing : 4
Aroma:
Intensity : 4  
Yeast : 2   Bread : 2   Apple : XX   Esters : XX   Banana : XX   Phenols : XX   Leather : 3   Perfume : XX   DMS : XX   Diacetyl : XX
Malt : 3   Biscuity : 2   Toast : 3   Caramel : XX   Toffee : 2   Maple : XX   Molasses : XX   Nuts : 2   Candy : XX   Pumpernickel : XX   Cereals : XX   Fruits : 3   Chocolate : 2   Coffee : XX   Vanilla : 1   Grapes : 1   Blackberries : XX   Dates : XX   Cherries : XX   Plums : 1   Figs : XX
Hops : 2   Noble(1)->American(5) : 1   Leafy : XX   Floral : 1   Orange : 2   Herbal : XX   Spicy : 1   Pine/Spruce/Resin : XX
Notes :   Earth : XX   Wood : XX   Cloves : XX   Smoke : 4   Pepper : XX   Ginger : XX   Peach/Pear/Apricot : 2   Candi Sugar : XX   Anise : XX   Vinous : 2
Flavor:
Initial Flavor : Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 3   Finish Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 3   Sourness : 1   Bitterness : 2   Complex : 3   Length : XX
Palate:
Light(1)->Full(5) : 3   Flat(1)->Fizzy(5) : 2   Clean : 2   Sharp : XX   Watery : XX   Oily : 2   Chalk : XX   Astringent : XX   Alcohol : XX   Mineral : XX   Oxidation : XX   Metallic : XX

Comments: A unique and exquisite creation that combines fruity, smoky and toasted malts notes in a jaw-dropping, balanced, drinkable and tasty combination.

Bottle. Very tasty. Big, salty bacon smoke in the nose, with a very clean, crisp smoky flavor. Highlights a bit of wood and herbals, punchy but goes down easy.

Bottle pours a deep and hazy amber with a 6 inch head that clings well... Still lots of head. The aroma is malty, yeasty, floral hops, and pipe tobaco. The flavor is a real nice mellow bundle of malt, light smoke, Belgian stale hops, lingering ale sour notes, ripe cave aged blue cheese, with some light bitterness playing with the other notes well. The juniper did not really hit me until much warming. The palate is mostly cleansing and fairly medium bodied. Overall, kind of nice.

Bottle. Pours a deep dark ruby amber with brown tones and a massive foamy cloud-like beige head. Aroma is very earthy, spicy- floral hops, flowers, tons of spices- pepper, some clove- earth and leather, light cold smoke- some smoked fish, juniper berries, pine and mint. Good full flavor- more pine, mint, juniper- gin-like- solid malt backbone- sweet toffee, roast, some chocolate, and some woody earthy hints. Bitter and slightly astringent finish. Very unique and enjoyable. I feel like this is similar to the Jackeldricka from Heavywieght, except this one is highly carbonated and sweeter. Nice beer.

Bottle from Bacchanalia, Cambridge. Dark reddy colour. Smoky malts and juniper lurking somewhere behind that. Makes me think of eating a plate of spicy sauerkraut with smoky cured meats. I liked the flavours with the smokiness continuing and the addition of a little hop and malt flavour. Unfortunately quite thin with spritzy carbonation which spoiled it a bit for me.

Bottle, dark clear bronze with an off-white head. Smoke and caramel in the nose, pleasant. Flavor has notes of smoked malt, wood, caramel, light chocolate, brown sugar, noble hops and toffee. A bit harsh tasting overal. Thin bodied with very lively carbonation.

Bottle purchased at Liquor Max in Loveland, CO. Pours dark brown, nearly impenetrable by light, with a huge, frothy, light brown head, lasting with excellent lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (nutty, bread, cookie, straw), light hops (herbs, grass), heavy yeast (meat, broth, horse blanket) with notes of juniper, smoke, charcoal, and lightly charred wood. Full bodied, sticky texture, lively carbonation, and a chalky finish. Long duration, light sweetness and bitterness, moderate acidity; wonderful ashed oak and toasted straw flavor with hints of smoked meat and juniper.

Bottle. Poured a medium and muddy brownish / amberish color with a huge sized off white head. Aromas of smoke, chocolate, bacon / meat, wood, and light roast. Tastes of smoke, woody / earthy, and lighter meatiness. Thin body.