Nøgne Ø # 100 (Batch 100)

Brewed by Nøgne Ø
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Grimstad, Norway

Deeeep ruby colour, thick beige big head, lots of lacing. Ar: hops up front, but also an imposing caramel malts backbone, dried fruits, citric and parfume. F: Malts first to attack, dried druits, chocolate, sugar, then comes the hops, citric, grapefruit and parfume,ending in a lingering bitterness. M: Smooth, so smooth, the liquid is a bit sticky, small bubbles. T: hop the hell out of this one and I will join the church of Nögne Ö, more hops is the only thing this one lacks.

Pours like a dark porter or stout - almost opaque black with tan/brown head. Head lasts longer than many other barleywines I’ve sampled lately. Nose has dark chocolate, raisin, dark fruit, Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix. Some citrus is there too, but nicely with the "sweeter" aromas described above... maybe a citrus icing? On the palate a big malt, roasted malt, and chocolatey sweet punch is there, but the hops rush in to give it balance. Also reminds me of Meyer’s Dark Rum, molasses of course, and some wood. What is absent is any sort of alcohol presence that would suggest the 10% abv. This beer is stealthy when it comes to drinkability, so beware. Finish is long with a pleasant caramel taste.

500ml bottle. Pours dark brown colored with thick off-white head. Taste and aroma of dark chocolate, caramel and fruits. Long and heavy bitterness.

Bottle. Pours a medium sized tan head, good retention and a coating lace. Damn near black in color. Nose of caramel malts, light hopping, citrus, light earthyness. Full bodied, chewy, lightly resiny, coating. Chocolate and caramel malt flavors, medium sweet malts, roast, citrus hops lying in wait. Light woody notes, raisins, some whisky? Lots happening. Almost dry roasty finish, lasting, tastey, warming. This bottle is at least a year old and has held up very nicely. Procured @statelineliquors.

Black color, medium-sized, big bubbled beige head; aroma of roasted malt and hops with hints of chocolate and vanilla; medium body, smooth, rounded mouthfeel; flavor of roasted malt and sweet caramel with moderate bitterness; long, bitter aftertaste of pepper and burnt notes.

Bottle purchased at Binny’s. Pours a cloudy dark copper with a medium beige head. Citrusy aroma with caramel, eucalyptus and spice. Spicy flavor with some grapefruit hop character and a bit of chocolate before a lasting bitter finish. Solid stuff.

Somehow dissaponited, but my expectations were high. The beer came - for some strange reasons - very close to the taske of Mikkelsers "Beer Geek Brunch" which of course is not bas, but a little unexpected. the 10 pct Octane sent me directly to the "Telly" which was not very highly appreciated by my wife. Drank together with a steak which was a big misteak (sorry). Should have taken it "on the rox" with some good music.

Batch 365. Black with creamy light brown head. Excellent lacing. Aroma of molasses, liqorice, flowers and alcohol. Taste is heavy sweet and bitter with alcohol and liqorice tones in a long finish. Oily mouth feel. Full bodied. A classic! Rated@Håndtverkerstuene, Oslo. 11.1.2010