Nøgne Ø # 100 (Batch 100)

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.

American strong ale for sure but does it qualify if its not made in America? I would say so- especially since one of the best Baltic Porters was brewed in New Jersey. The style is just that- style, not geography. Onyx colored with a creamy head that laces thickly on the side of the glass. My first thought is arrogant bastard- dark and sweet malt with chocolate and tobacco tones followed by a wallop of needly, citrus hops. Missing the transcendence of a Stone creation but well made.

Pour is dark brown with off-white head. Nose is hoppy with some roasted aromas. Flavor is hoppy with plenty of citrus. Some caramel as well. Finish is bitter. Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated, somewhat sticky, and smooth. Good IIPA or BW - which ever this is.

500. Thanks so much, Maria! Wow, this is an amazing beer. Pours grainy, cloudy-ish dark brown, nearly black and certainly opaque. Thinnish whitish film of a head. Huge sweet caramel and chocolate nose, very candy bar like. Nice medium body with very, very soft carb (not flat, but close). Swirling dark fruit, brown bread, chocolate, caramel, and then bitter creosotey hops. Bitter, clingy finish. Amazing stuff.

Labeled as "Barley Wine Style Ale", 1 pint .9 oz bottle pours dark brown with a giant head that hangs on for quite some time with thick lace sheets. The aroma is of understated grapefruit being peeled in a pine forest on a bright sunny day. The flavor ranges from sweetness, to bready malts, to piney hops, with some ale fruitiness dancing around. It tastes like I can also detect some coffee, chocolate, vanilla in there too. Wow, I am a fan of the IIPA style, but this is not an IIPA. However, this beer works wonders and defies style. I really like the understated bitterness that allows some of the other less IPA like ale flavors to shine through. The palate is rich and fills the mouth well. This is a good beer, a very good beer. Eminately quaffable!

This pours a cloudy very (almost surprisingly) dark brown with beige head. The aroma is raisiny with some sweet spiciness and brown sugar. The flavor is caramel, herbal and lemony hops, and a sticky smokiness in the finish.