Oslo Juleøl

Brewed by Oslo Mikrobryggeri
Style: English Strong Ale
Oslo, Norway

On tap. Overall I was really impressed with this beer. When I was drinking it I tried to pay more attention to the ingredients that could have possibly gone into it. I thought it tasted like a good ESB without knowing what style they were going for. Nose was spicy, slightly herbal and flowery. Poured with a slight haze too it, beautiful color though, and nice creamy head that stayed a little while. There was some slight yoghurt to the nose as well that I associate with british styles. Taste was very nice clover honey with that hop spice. Very well balanced. I think this is a brilliant jule øl compared to some of the other stuff I’ve sampled. I’ll have to keep this one in mind when I sample the stone nøgne Ø. but thats not till xmas.

On tap at Mikrobryggeriet, Oslo. 5.6% ABV. Reddish amber color. Distinct toffee/butterscotch aroma which made me a bit skeptical initially. Fizzy carbonation. Taste is dominated by toffee, red fruits, malt and hoppy bitterness (skepticism vanished). Nice bitterness in the finish. Well balanced, drinkable beer.

(Draught at the brewpub, 5 Nov 2009) Reddish amber colour with frothy, beige head. Malty nose with dark fruit, caramel and spicy hops. Malty, fruity taste with notes of dried fruit, citrus and earthy hops in a finish with a generous bitterness. The aromas are a bit closed in the nose, but come through better in the full-flavoured taste. Nice and well balanced beer.

Malty arioma with golden brown look. Refreshing and with good flavor, hops, yet a bit heavy. Medle term after taste. Good juleøl.

On tap at the brewpub. It’s served slightly hazy and copper-colored. Probably chill-haze, as it seems clear when I finish it. A small off-white head leaves lacings. Fruity in a quite Belgian way, with dried fruits, caramel and more hops than I normally expect from OMB. Caramel, dried fruits, some fresh ones too, a touch of anise and other spices and a fine bitterness. Is it the yeast that gives the spicy flavors? Medium body, creamy and nicely carbonated. Maybe a bit too carbonated, not sure. The finish continues what is found initially, with spices, fruits and a good bitterness. A really pleasant Christmas beer. Almost Belgian-like in a way, bitter, effervescent, slightly spiced and moreish. (081114)

Tap. Red-brown looking beer with a very tine head. Aroma is dominated by the fruity pineaplle-like hops you find in all their beers. Refreshing taste of the fruity hops, some bitterness and distant malts. Fine carbonation and smooth feel in the mouth.

20.11.2008. 0,5l on tap at "Oslo Mikrobryggeri" which is a prewpub. I think this must be the 2008 edition. The colour is reddish-brown. Aroma is rich with fruitines. Very nice and well balanced beer.

On tap @ the brewpub. A foggy dark red beer with a thin grey head leaving laces. Served too chilled, but a pleasant smell of toffee, berries and grassy hops appears when the beer is warming up. Taste is a nice balance of fine malt-sweetness, a good amount of bittering hops, and some inviting tones of plums and cranberries. Healthy body. Lively mouthfeel. Light bitter and light fruity-acidic finish. A well made and tasty Christmas ale.