Nøgne Ø God Jul

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

Very dark red, kind of burgundy pour, with large, fairly well-sustained tan head - very doughy, biscuit-like malt aroma, with hints of roasted nuts, light spice presence, chocolate pudding, and a touch of brown sugar - smells very much like an english strong ale - fairly soft carbonation, with a medium body - nice balance between sweet, bitter and roasty - lots of nutty flavors, with touches of dark chocolate and mild background spices - the pudding-like quality from the aroma comes out in the finish - everything about this beer seems like an english strong to me, so much so that’s I’d call for a reclassification of this one.

The aroma is hoppy with caramel and toasted malt. The appearance is dark brown with a tan head. The flavor is like the aroma and very bitter. The palate is smooth. Overall it’s OK.

The pour reveals a deep brown almost opaque body with a mountainous creamy light brown head that ever so slowly fades leaving curtain of lace to drape the glass. Nose has a rich toasted malt aroma, hops also peek through, caramel and spices end this wonderful nose. Front has a toasted grain sweetness, the hops provide the bitter contrast, top is moderately full in feel. Finish has a spicy hop presence, sweet grains, bittersweet chocolate and the acidity determined quite dry aftertaste, and a real unexpected treat in my humble opinion.

Pours a foamy brown head on a dark brown body. Lots of malt and spices in the aroma with notes of chocolate and a hint of alcohol. Malty flavor as well with quite a strong tone of alcohol. Caramel, orange and spices also and some bitterness in the finish. A typical Belgian style ale, not too innovative but well done.

1 year old bottle. Strong winter spice, lightly lactic aroma. Big malts, very chewy and rich. Super-thick, perfect body, carbonation is dead on. Flavor has less spice than the flavor but is really balanced, and has combined well over the past year. Slight hints of booze. Beautifully aged.

Bottle on 06/28/2008, labelled Winter Ale. Very dark brown body wtih ruby highlights and a medium creamy tan head. Sweet caramel and molassas aroma with some earthy malt and hops. Sweet earthy malt and lots of earthy hops with more caramel and molassas. Medium full body with moderate carbonation.

[258-20070412] 1pt0.9floz (w/ jerc). Boozy chocolate malt aroma has nutty hints of raspberry fruit. Dark brown black red-hued body with a long-lasting creamy brown head. Dark chocolatey roasted malt flavour has lots of nut and wood notes. Full body is boozy and fairly bitter after. Points for blending a winter warmer but bitterness brings out too much nut.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown body with full, foamy, cream-colored head and when held aloft to the light -- chunky bits everywhere! This beer is obviously a creature of the night, so please keep it far away from sunshine and harsh, bright lighting. Smell: Dark malt aroma with notes of dark chocolate, licorice shavings, and a mild roastiness. Taste: Dark malt flavors of dark chocolate with some roast. Twinge of tart fruits. Sip of cool mint water. Herbal hops. An earthy, roasty bitterness builds as you drink, obscuring the sweeter malts. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Drinkability: A solid winter release from Nøgne Ø.