Nøgne Ø # 100 (Batch 100)

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

The beer poured a nearly opaque black with a light colored head. Almost no light passed through in my tulip glass, though the beer did not seem to pour with the viscosity of other that are this dark. The aroma is muddled. While the heat from the alcohol makes it difficult to pick out other individual notes, there is certainly some evidence of sweet toffee malts, chocolate, the pine of Columbus hops, and a perfume-like fruit aroma. The flavors are very unique, as I have found with all Nøgne Ø beers. Again, there is a strong alcohol presence, but the flavors of whole grain bread, caramel, dry vanilla, and a vinuous quality thats hard to describe. Then there are the hops... and lots of em! This beer is quite bitter. The huge, crisp, citrusy, hops come through on the long, long finish and are really only perceptible after the rest of the beer is swallowed. The texture of the beer in the mouth is heavenly. The small carbonation bubbles stay throughout the entire drink (actually over an hour for me!) and provide a soft, silky base for the beer to roll through your mouth. Fantastic!

Bottle from Swedish Systembolaget. Oh yes.. this is serious beer. Not a barley wine, not an American Strong, not really a DIPA. Just down-right amazing.

Aroma is hoppy, but seemingly share the stage with a caucaphony of roasted dark malts. There are hints of raisins and dark fruits. Perhaps even a touch of dark cane syrup. Flavor is toasted malty sweet. Some hints of the aromatic dark fruits do come through. the flavor closes with a touch of dark chocolate. If this is an aged version of a DIPA, it has aged ever so gracefully and is working well.

My label says barley wine. You see its called a double IPA here. It reminds me more of a porter with the roasted malt flavors. I just don’t know. I assume I have the right beer. Either way, it tastes good, looks good, and smells good, especially at 10%. Deep dark brown but not quite opaque. Big off white head. Hoppy resiny aroma. Big roasted malt flavors. Smooth, slight coffee aftertaste.

Bottle. Dark brown colour with a light brown head. Piney hoppy aroma with notes of tobacco & leather. Slightly roasted malty flavour with hints of dark chocolate. Also a bit salty taste with a high bitterness.

Batch brewed Jan 7 2006. This is just lovely, if in the mood for a bitter beer. Lots of hoppy aroma, and lots of fruity malt that balances the hops nicelly. Heavy stuff. I love it. Enjoyed the day Aalesunds FK for the first time renewed their place in the Norwegian top division. Ha!

Black color with a thin head. Aroma of pine, resin and a little oak. Very strong roasted malt taste. A little burnt malt. Kind of reminds me of a bonfire, though that faded through the pint. I have no clue what in the world this would be as far as a style, but it just didn’t come together for me.

500. Thanks, after4ever! I’m torn on how to rate this one. It’s a really good beer that’s not a very good example of the IIPA style. Pours a murky, opaque dark brown with a lacy off-white head. Dry aroma of caramel and pine. Sweet full body, and a taste of raisins and pine. Maybe a touch of smoke? Dry resinous finish.