Nøgne Ø God Jul

Brewed by Nøgne Ø
Style: American Strong Ale
Grimstad, Norway

50cl bottle from systembolaget. After kicking myself for not getting any Nøgne Ø while in Oslo, I headed straight to systembolaget and picked up this as a consolation, even though with prices in Norway, its probably cheaper here. I’m still trying to get my head around that one. Well, its beautiful out of the bottle, with a near black body and huge lasting tan head with plenty of lace as i make my way through. My first impression is imperial stout, but the aroma reveals belgian qualities, with a little roast and not as much yeast, sweet brown sugar, some peat, and some floral hops. The flavor is thick and sweet, with some chocolate, alcohol, and a nice hop bitterness to finish it off. The body is full and silky, with a little stickiness in the finish. This is a really good beer; it reminds me of a Belgian strong crossed with an imperial stout. Unique and pleasant. Now I wish that I had gotten more Nøgne ø in Oslo!

Bottle from about a year ago - Darker brown color with a nice tan head. Aroma is dominated by cocoa, nut, and some floral hops. Flavor is an interesting earthy-cocoa-nut mix with some nice hop remnants. Nice mouthfeel. Not sure why I waited so long on this one, but I should seek out a fresher bottle.

Bottle. Light caramel aroma. Deep chestnut color with an off white head. Full body with a light sour or bitter palate. Very light spicy notes. Plain.

Mahogony color; small, lingering head. Smoke and rich malt aroma. Rich roasted dark malt flavor, with notes of smoke, oak, molassas, clove, spice, pepper, espresso, walnuts, & bitter chocolate. Not overly sweet or smooth...a tad rough and rowdy but tasty.

Bottle from Sam’s, Durham. Dark pour with a lively body and modest head. Aroma of strong caramel/chocolate malts and a touch of spice. There’s a bit of a burn and a bit too much heat, giving what might ordinarily be a complex spiced beer a bit of a dull personality, or at least duller than one might hope. Certainly enjoyable but, given the pricing, not something I’d eagerly seek again.

Pours dark brown with a nice big dark tan head. Aroma of caramel, roasted malt, chocolate. Taste is mostly the same with a very clean taste and a bit of a bite in the finish. Good stuff.

This was a real treat after getting past one heck of a gusher bottle. Pours very dark brown with a sturdy tan head. The aroma has heavily roasted malt, coffee-esque bitterness that is very dark and dry, brown sugar traits offering some sweetness as well as some molasses. This comes across as a jacked up american brown ale. Medium / full body that’s smooth with semi-soft carbonation. The flavor starts of like the aroma and is very full, rich and lush with the flavors. The finish has lots of spice (mainly pepper and cinnamon) and a clean roastiness. A very well done beer that I’d get a lot more often if the price was a bit lower.

Dark black with almost no head formation. Aroma like raisins and caramel. Flavor is roasted with a chocolate sweetness and maybe some cola. This is incredibly smooth and stout-like. A real pleasure to drink.