Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter

Brewed by Närke Kulturbryggeri
Style: Imperial Stout
Örebro, Sweden

Bottle of the 2005 version at Akkurat in October 2007. The head is brown, dissipates fast but laces a bit. Caramel, alcohol and very dark, bready malts on the aroma. Smoky caramel and dark, dark smooth malts in the flavour. Incredibly smooth and full it reminds me of an LBV port but with less fruitiness, of course. As I got further into it I noticed more oak and black(?) bread. It’s a beer to be enjoyed slowly for sure. I split the (small) bottle with my heterosexual life partner who was probably even more impressed then I with this remarkably crafted beer. I’m hard pressed to remember a more complex beer than this one. There are endless layer and each sip is a journey. It’s not my favourite of the style (I’m not sure what beer is anyway) but it displays such craft and shows what can be done with "mere" malts and hops.

(2006 bottle, at Konttori Tampere) Almost black colored, slight red colored. Little brown head. So, this is it. Aroma is excellently deep one: oaky-vanilla is dominating here, roastiness with nice hopped tone and licorice also here. Mild alcohol noticable too. Full bodied. Flavor is even better: same vanilla-oaks dominating in start, also licorice and chocolate here. Aftertaste is finely balancing with strong hops and dryness, vanilla lasts until I’m home. Alcohol covered in flavor totally. So, this was it.

Bottle, thanks to Jeppe the Bierkönig from Ølbutikken. A black beer with a small brown head. The aroma is roastet and og corn in the good way, also wood, alcohol, vanilla, chocolate and coffee. The taste is the same but warming from the alcohol. Medium to full body with a dry warming finish.

Thanks to everyone involved in allowing me to sample this fine brew - 2006 bottle - Aroma is very strong oak, vanilla and roasted chocolate malts. Pours black with a small brown head that reappeared upon swirling and left good lacing. Flavor is so delicious. Smooth clean vanilla, oak and dark chocolate blend together perfectly. Alcohol is well hidden. The palate is so soft and smooth for such a strong and flavorful brew. I honestly didn’t want to be my top rated beer, but there is no denying the quality and greatness of this beverage. One word can describe it, amazing.

Bottle at RBESG 2006. Black coloured with a small beige head. Roasted aroma of wood and vanilla. Roasted flavour of wood, chocolate and vanilla.

[bottle tap at EBF 2008] Smooth butterscotchy aroma with sweet molasses and honey. Plenty of oak that is balanced by toasty malt. Opaque dark red-brown with a wispy light brown top. Heavenly oak balanced by lots of chocolate and toast. Bubblegum dark malt as well with nutty toasty biscuit. Full body, moderate carbonation, smooth. Complex yet excellently balanced.

Courtesy hopscotch. Thanks a ton for sharing Eric! Pours black with dark brown edges, and a swirly light brown head. Smells of sweet caramel, bourbon, light vanilla and chocolate, and cocoa. All blended together magically. The flavor had a very thick mouthfeel, heavy on the palate. Big bourbon, oak, chocolate, and black licorice made up most of its flavor characters as well as some dark fruit poking out towards the finish. Alcohol was masked quite proficiently, as I only got a mild alcohol burn in the finish. Beautifully crafted brew. Can see why this is so sought after.

Bottle, at the Rover, Gothenburg. (2006 vintage, 10%) Served in a Triple Karmeliet glass, which proved to be a nice choice from the barman. There’s just nothing to complain about regarding the appearance of the beer. It’s jet black, with a creamy, tan head. The aroma is smooth as hell, with lots of mocha doing a good deal of the job, but has company of a sweetish vanilla and marzipan scent. The alcohol can be detected, but is very weak. In the mouth, it’s very sweet in a good way, with flavors of mocha, some vanilla and a hint of alcohol and dried fruits. It’s very low on bitterness, and also on hops, but it’s just delightful. Sort of leaves me lost for words. (080710)