Nøgne Ø God Jul

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

(500 ml bottle from Downeast Beverage (labelled as "Winter Ale"), cellared for 10 mos. after purchase) Pours very dark brown with some lighter brown highlights. One finger of fairly sturdy tan head that recedes to about 1/8” and stays. Sweetish aroma of coffee, chocolate and raisin. Mouthfeel rather soft and light but still meaty enough – not watery. Fairly smooth. Nice light weepy rings of lacing. Flavor is dark and bitter chocolate upfront along with coffee. Sweeter flavors of dark caramel, chocolate and raisin emerge more as it warms. A nice really tasty beer with a decent bit of interesting complexity. ABV well-hidden.

Pours a near black color with a big creamy dark head that lasts and laces. Aroma is big roasted malt, some pine hops, dark chocolate and a touch of nuttiness. Flavor is much the same, sweet and roasty up front, with some spice and fruit, then a big hoppy boozy finish. I liked it a lot.

Bottle. Black with small light brown head. Flowers, chcolate, liqourice, well-rounded and complex. Low carbonation, full bodied.

Dark Brown, almost black body… fluffy tan head. Aroma of toffee, burnt sugars, some sweet figs, date sugars, molasses, a hint of smoke… the flavor brings all the same but more notes of coffee and chocolate. Creamy palate, a distinct English strain of yeast, A rather well done beer… I very much enjoyed!

Found this in a bomber bottle at Binny’s in St. Charles, Illinois. Very thick, opaque dark brown pour with a thick, tan head. Awesome nose of roasted almonds, cherry, raisins and black licorice. Flavor is just as good, with some spiciness, huge amounts of chocolate and coffee malts, and some smokiness. No alcohol in the finish; I had no idea how strong this beer was until it had already knocked me on my butt. This was outstanding.

21 oz. bottle labeled "Winter Ale." Very dark, essentially opaque, mahogany with ruby highlights and a generous creamy tan head with good durability and lace. Dark caramel, coffee, dark chocolate, roasted nut, and a hint of spruce in the aroma. Rich, medium/full body, light carbonation, some astringency, and a quite dry palate. An initial blast of dark malty sweetness is quickly supplanted by a burnt/roasty bitterness that brings on a long dry finish. When I see "Winter Ale" or some similar name, my expectation is something that’s all spiced up, but this is decidedly different. This is just a very good beer, no pretensions and no gimmicks

Bottle. Dark brown colour with large creamy light brown fully lasting head. Nice aroma of roasted malt, chocolate and caramel. Sweet spicy flavor. Bitter finish.

Crushed with Jakebra. Nice brew. These guys have yet to disappoint. Even though it’s 75 degrees here at the beginning of February, it’s still nice and warming infront of a fireplace. Impressed by the hop presence on the nose. Medium-bodied which is pretty cool. Nice mouthfeel and good flavor. Prety sexy brew.