Närke Stormaktsporter

Brewed by Närke Kulturbryggeri
Style: Imperial Stout
Örebro, Sweden

Great beer! Not exactly as good as the "Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter" but it’s really close. Pretty much the same flavours except that this one isn’t oak-aged (at least it doesn’t taste so). Wonderful palate, the same as Kaggen.

On tap@SBC 2008. Totally black body with a small brown head. Aroma is sweet roasted malt, roasted coffee, black chocolate, dry fruit and some alcohol. Flavor lives up to its expectation from the aroma. Incredible sweet, but well balanced with bitterness. Lots of roasted malt and coffee, chocolate and some nice and warming alcohol. Thick oily body and long finish, extremely nice beer. Coffee, liqueur and dessert at the same time.

Bottle. 2004. Akkurat, Stockholm, Sweden. Deep inky black brew with a dark brown layer of foam. Aroma is unfortunately, a bit disappointing, but it does show a touch of fudge and dark fruit platter. Flavor has a depth and a finish that just goes on and on and on. Dessert-like, truffles, espresso and cake flavors only begin to describe this incredibly balanced and tasteful beer. Amazingly complex with dark fruits and dark malt. Finesse and expression like no other beer. 30 second + finish that lasts and lasts. Tasted alongside Kaggen and although this was not as aromatic, the flavor of this beer was like no other, and topped Kaggen. And the mouth feel was so full. The flavor was just amazing in this beer.

First tasting, 080323. 2006 vintage. Another amazing beer from Närke. Only beaten by Kaggen, but this is definitely not far from it. Taste is very pleasant of chocolate, fudge, coffee and dried fruit. I think I need to visit the pub again to drink it soon.

Second tasting, 081015. 2006 vintage: Oh, very nice! Black/very deep brown color with a light brown head. Aroma is of fudge, chocolate and roasted malt. Flavour is sweet, malty, balanced, notes of bitter dark chocolate, fudge, honey, dried fruit and coffee ending with some alcoholic warmth... the flavours really flows together in perfect harmony. This is extremely amazing. I’m glad I’ve tried it twice now. It maybe felt "thinner" than I remembered but that doesn’t make it to a dissapointment. Maybe served a bit too cold also in a not-that-proper glassware...

Third tasting, 090120. 2006 vintage. Absolutely brilliant... this deserves all the hype. Pitch black color, small brown, dying head. Vinous aroma of plums, dried fruits, dark chocolate, toffee, coffe, roasted malt, honey. Flavour is sweet and malty, very porter-like with lots of dark chocolate, dried fruits, toffe, roasted malt, and honey. Brilliant, smooth, filling palate. Fullbodied with a creamy texture. Soft carbonation... long, malty, sweet chocolate finish. Not that bitter. Quite matured, this was a bottle from 2006. Fantastic beer, definitely the best you can have, if not counting Kaggen...

Fourth tasting, 090401, this is the 2005 vintage. Black color, small brown head. Vinous, red wine, dried fruits, raisins, chocolate, coffee, liquorice, toffee aroma. Very vinous, malty, balanced, dark chocolate, coffee, dried fruits, raisins, honey flavour. Perfect mouthfeel, but I prefer it a bit younger since it’s a bit too vinous in the aroma. 4,8.

Fifth tasting, 090425, on-tap @ The Rover, Gothenburg, 2007 edition. Looks absolutely fantastic in the glass; very dark brown, almost black with a perfect, remaining head. Aroma is fantastic and amazing, no bottle I’ve had of this has smelled like this. Wonderful vinous, dried fruits, plums, chocolate, liquorice and honey. It’s somewhat sweet (or at least it smells it going to be sweet). Taste is dominated by a wonderful balanced sweetness with lots of honey (not over the top as you can think when you add like 30% honey), dried fruits, plums, dark chocolate, liquorice, molasses. Then... to the mouthfeel. Wow. Wonderful smooth, extremely fullbodied. I’ve never tasted anything as filling as this. I love it more than anything else. I’m so glad I had the chance to try this. Just incredible. 4,9.

2006 version bottle at Rover 2008-02-08. Pitch black and a little brown head. Chocolate and coffee, with smoke and notes of nuts and fruits. A long soft aftertaste with a bitter finish.

Bottle 2006 vintage. Pitch black colour - think motor oil. Big on the nose - roasted malts and coffee beans, chocolate, dried fruits. Flavour is complex with notes of roasted coffee beans, dark bread, chocolate, dried fruits. Nice bitterness! You don’t feel the alcohol. The finish is long and a long linger taste of swedish hard bread. Very well well-balanced. Expensive - but very very good!

This was a 2006 bottle courtesy of a friend who had visted sweden in early 2007 and pick me up some rare beers,this beine one,it was my favorite style and i loved it ,it had a smooth and clean taste with hints of chocolate and a smoke taste to it,pitch black and a sweet but nice bitterness to it very enjoyable and lucky to try.CHEERS!

Bottle (Årgangs Porter 2006). Smooth with considerable roasted malt and a hint of chocolate.