500 ml can. Pours a dark reddish brown, medium head. Unremarkable appearance. Aroma is faint; vague hints of malts and spice. Taste is not very powerful, mostly malts and a hint of roastiness, somewhat sweet. The aftertaste is where it happens, the taste goes somewhat dry and more intense, but even that isn’t too heavy. My impression is that Mack is trying to introduce non-lager beer to their customers without scaring them off with something wild. If so, this might just work, or they might not be able to tell the difference between this and Norwegian bayer. Anyway, the beer is nice, drinkable, and unexciting.

Can. The beer is copper/brown in color with an off-white head that disappeares to fast. Aroma is almost non-present but hints of malt is present. As it is very little taste in the beer, it is quite drinkable in large volumes, but the taste is to me more like a dark lager than what is a brown ale in my opinion. Unfortunately for Mack, I don’t think they have success in making something special, and this is a beer that I won’t return to too often. (050905)

(500 ml can.) Mack Bryggeri in Tromsø, the worlds northernmost commercial brewery (there’s a brewpub further north) is a macro brewery by Norwegian standards (not by American!), but they have recently also bought a full micro brewery equipment in order to brew "niche" beers (= ales, mostly) as a welcome change in the Norwegian pale lager desert. You have to give them props for trying, even if the results are not remarkable (and I’m not sure that the "micro" varieties, all named "Ludwig" something after the founder of the brewery, will help them out of their financial problems). Their attempt at a brown ale has a deep golden brown colour and pours with a large head. Aroma is yeasty and fruity (apples). Flavour is very mellow, some maltiness but not much else. Minimal hoppiness. Flat and bland finish. If Mack’s purpose is to brew a truly GREAT brown ale, they have a long way to go ....

Can. Light brown colour with a beige head.Light roasted caramel aroma. Flavour is also light roasted caramel.

Canned (thanks SADESA). Dark amber colour, mediumsized beige head. Aroma is caramel malts, hops and slight hints of raisins. Flavour is leather, caramel malts. Watery, but a good attempt.