Jämtlands Bärnsten

Brewed by Jämtlands Bryggeri
Style: Premium Lager
Pilgrimstad, Sweden

After my recent trip to Copenhagen (where my rather low opinion of pilsner was not improved by drinking lots of Carlsberg) it was with a sense of mild trepidation that I prized the cap off of yet another pilsner. But I needn’t have worried, as Jämtlands has somehow managed to produce a pilsner with the many of the characteristics of an ale. Rather than the normal neutral-tasting fizzy cabbage water I was treated to a beautiful amber coloured pilsner (bärnsten means amber in Swedish) that was bursting with tropical fuits, peppary spices, caramel malt and a puff of hairspray. The signature Jämtlands aromas were all there too, as well as a cracking long-lasting bitterness. I’m not sure if this really is pilsner but if it is I’ve been converted.

Bottle, 5.0%. Amber colour. Sour bitterness, but not bad. Abit fruity. The sourness makes for good balance, helps the beer go down well. Not complex, but pleasant.

This beer has an extra ordinary beautiful amber color and a nice, huge, white and lasting head. The aroma has notes of hops and fruit. The flavour is very delicious and full-bodied with notes of aroma hops, fruit, caramel, a very light sweetness and a nice citrussy bitter finish. A truly great pale lager, I love it - thank you Jan, for sending me this one!!! 1710

0,5 l bottle. Copper color with creamy head. Malty but rather dry aroma with cumin, citrus and herbs. Dryish salty bitter and malty flavor with citrusy and herbal hop flavor.

bottle. Dark golden colour with an off-white head. Aroma is hop, fruit. Flavour is hop, malt, fruit.

Bottled. Clear, golden with a beige head. Alcohol (!), hops, fruits and resin in the aroma. The flavor is resiny, with notes of malt. Medium body and a long bitter finish. Can’t really enjoy those Jämtland lagers. (061013)

Light, slightly cloudy copper with a small dissapating white head. Aroma of grain, malts, citrus and fruit. Strong body, with flavours of grain, peach, lemon, yeast and light toffee. Medium length malty finish, maybe could have had some more aggressive hopping.

Draught at the Rover. Dark golden with a large beige creamy head, small lacings. Aroma moderate malty (caramel) and hoppy. Flavor moderate sweet and bitter. Light body, watery.