Nøgne Ø Porter

Rerate on 20.02.2008. I enjoyed this beer a bit more this time around, but I’ve been more hesitant with the high numbers as of late so I think I’ll keep it where it is, numerically. I’m getting some vanilla-flavoured pipe tobacco and more cocoa powder than bar chocolate in this particular bottle. The malts seem more expansive as well. I ended up letting it sit for a while in my glass and that, of course, solved my carbonation complaint levelled in my earlier rating. Anyway, I could still deal with it being a little less acidic, but I’ll have no problems finishing this one. 50cl bottle, bbe 9/12/09.

Bottle, bbe 19.10.09. Rich black hue with a tan, creamy head. Fairly big aroma of chocolate, dates, raisins and espresso. Too a lesser degree, elements of coffee liquor, caramel, anise and cinnamon. Flavour begins moderately sweet, moderately acidic, lightly bitter and finishes moderately to lightly sweet, moderately acidic and moderately bitter. The flavour has some very pronounced cola-like elements and is not quite as smooth (acidity) as I expected based on the aroma. Medium-full body with an oily texture and lively carbonation. I wish the carbonation was a tad softer as well. Still, very solid.

Very dark brown color with a small lid of light tan bubbles. Small rings of lace help the looks. Fairly simple porter aromas. Toasted and roasted malt along with some dark chocolate. Hints of mocha lay underneath. A nice scent, but nothing more that what one should expect. Rich full feel. Again simple porter flavors, but the fact that nothing is amiss is a big bonus. Toasted malt mix with a light malt bitterness. Sweetness is heavy in the middle and actually lasts to the finish. Linger is dry with the black malt bitterness and a mild espresso bite. Well put together porter.

Bottle. Mocha coffee malt aroma. Dark brown/black color with a film head. Smokey espresso and light dark chocolate flavor. Very nice.

Very dark porter with light beige head. Aroma is very interesting (chocolate, licorize, fruits?). Flavor is very balanced and not too much burned. Quite easy to drink (surprise for me). Very good and interesting porter.

Bottle purchased at Liquor Max in Loveland. Pours black with a small fizzy light brown head, somewhat diminishing, fair lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (straw, chocolate, toasted, nutty), light hops (perfume, grass), average yeast (dough, leather) with notes of light alcohol. Medium bodied, creamy texture, soft carbonation and a bitter finish. Average duration, light sweetness, moderate acidity and bitterness.

Bottle. Bountiful dark chocolate aroma, very nutty with a good amount of toffee and even more roast. Sticky ripe fruits there, too, with some milk chocolate and malted milk balls. Opaque black pour, even under light, with a gorgeous lacing, rocky, creamy tanned/light brown head. Robust, very dry roast flavor, strongly nutty with slight breadiness and hefty chocolate. Faint tongue-prickling, probably from the Centennial. Faint hint of salty licorice. Smooth and silken, but very thin-bodied, almost watery at times. Aftertaste is dry and slightly salty, lots of nutty roast and slight, dark warmth. Solid, repeatable porter - but just barely misses out on Greatness.

Bottle.

Pours deep black with a dark-tan head; the aroma is a lovely blendy of sweet light chocolate cake and coffee, some robust fruity (blackberry?) notes along with a definite vinous tinges. After the sweet aroma, the flavor is relatively dry and nicely balanced, hints of smoke, burnt coffee, vinous whispers, a lovely dry finish. Mouthfeel is relatively light despite the 7%, making it lovely to sip without the bursting intensity of some stronger variants. This is quite an impressive porter, and I’m very glad that I got to enjoy the whole thing in sips over the course of an evening, rather than simply trying it at a shared tasting. Bravo!

500 ml bottle in Duvel glass. Pours black with lasting light brown head. Strong chocolate and bread aroma. Excellent flavors of mild dark chocolate with a clean crisp finish. Excellent soft mouthfeel, medium body. Excellent.