Nøgne Ø God Jul

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

Bottle courtesy of henrikb. Pours dark brown with a tan head taht dissipates quickly. Smells of chocolate, coffee, nuts, yogurt and hints of vanilla. Tastes of chocolate, coffee, pepper and somewhat nutty. Some raisin hints emerge as the beer warms. Mouthfeel is somewhat thick with a finish that features coffee and sugar prominently.

500 ml bottle (Winter Ale). Very dark brown, ruby tinted beer with a thick and very persistent tan head. Quite sticky. Sweet molasses and toffee with a heavy toasted hazelnut and almond character as well. A touch of licorice and milk chocolate. Soft leathery character through the middle. The flavour is great, sweet rich chocolate, toasted nuts and leather. A lot of milky/lactic sweetness up front that serves as a counterpoint to the leathery dryness. Lots of dark malts, fairly complex and well-balanced. Sort of a cross between sweet stout and strong ale. Very creamy palate. A bit of smoke and oatmealy richness. Lovely beer.

Sampled from a 500ml bottle. Very dark brown colored body with some red hue at the bottom, and a medium-dark tan or brown head on top. Nose of smoke, char, toffee, amaretto, juniper berries, spiced rum and jasper and pine needles. Flavor is creamy, smoky sap and pine needles, more juniper and jasper, with some sappy, spicy “Christmas” flavors… reminds me of a few years of Anchor OSA. Fizzy, frothy, but not too thick. Really, really tasty, but I tend to like beers that taste like trees.

Raters are placing votes for the style, so I’ll cast mine for a sweet stout, albeit with fruity notes. Not important. What it is is a darned fine ale, pouring a deep, dark brown body with a respectable cocoa head. It’s got a pleasing multi-level aroma, beginning with roasted malts and dark caramel, then some dark berries, a drop or two of alcohol, and a bit of anise. The flavor is roasty and has a touch of smoke. The berries are neatly rolled in for support along with a dollop of milk chocolate and a chaw of licorice. Very smooth drinking. Whatever it may be, it’s a fine Winter warmer.

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A mild gusher. So a few quick sips/slurps prior to getting to my glass. Very Dark brown, with little light passing through even at the edges. Tall, somewhat expected, head that is quite stable and has a light cocoa froth appearance. Decent lace. The bubbles look quite large at the base of the head, but are quite small when forming the lace. Dark chocolate, molasses and sorghum, dates, orange zest and a touch of peat in the aromas. LIghter feel with all the effervescence. With the pre sips and consequential sips this is a true winter ale. Lightly roasty with chocolate, dark caramel, cashews and heavy syrup. Some mild spice with a touch of mace and cardamom. A nice balance, easy drinking, stronger ale.

Bottle@Home. Aroma of chocolate, cassis, plum and a hint of mint. Dark ruby color, light brown head, good lace. Plain in your mouth but when you swallow it knocks you of you feet. Chocolate, black currant, cassis, soft spices, pine. Medium body. Long lasting finish and well balanced. Thanks Yngwie.

Bottle: Dark ruby color, maybe black, tan head, light lacing. Nose of grape, smoke, licorice, dry rice, some cherry or apricot. The flavor is very smoky and briney with vegetal notes and plenty of hops....vegetal hops. Roasty, spicy, hoppy. Finishes with a large intense body. Good combination int he end.

Bottle at RBESG Grand Tasting, August 2005. Very dark colour - almost black. Vinous, chocolatey and full bodied. Plenty of burnt malt character. Unexpectedly bitter, making this surprisingly easy drinking. Didn’t really pick up the spices very clearly. I often find Christmas beers a bit cloying and hard going but I’d be happy to drink this one all night. The alcohol doesn’t intrude too much.