Nøgne Ø God Jul

Brewed by Nøgne Ø
Style: American Strong Ale
Grimstad, Norway

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

Medium thick beige head, and the body is very dark brown, nearly black. Nice rostyness. Detect smoke, leather, soya-sause, and nutmeg. NIce mocca/rosted coffebeans and licorice in the finish. Some hoppyness, mostly in the aftertaste. Very good "juleøl" indeed!

500 ml bottle purchased a year ago at Holiday Wine Cellar ($7.99). Pours such a dark brown-red color as to almost appear black. Almost three fingers of thick frothy foam has good retention. It’s a nice looking beer. Aroma of roasted malts (leather, smoke), caramel, light spice, but not much of the promised America C-hops to be found (perhaps due to the aging?). Flavor has quite a bit of smoke along with rich toffee, leather, dry spice, and a bit of pine but otherwise not much in the hops department. Finishes with a nice rich roastiness. Makes for a very nice winter warmer. (644, 442)

Dark brown/black pour with large tan head. Nose is rich with complex caramel malt, cinnamon and notes of chocolate. Lots of roasty malt and caramel notes. A little cinnamon and a little chocolate. Spiced yet smooth finish. Very well balanced and mild. Should be easy even for non-beer afficianados.

Bottle from Systembolaget. First of all, I bought two bottle of this and despite sitting on a shelf for at least two weeks without moving, both of them still foamed over when opened. This happened to my friend’s bottle as well, somewhat annoying. Anyhow, despite losing a lot of the carbonation this was a very pleasant christmas beer. Spicy and a little hoppy, nice blend of malts and hops. Great to enjoy all by itself in the winter chill.

Dark brown with a coffee colored head. Aroma with roasted malt, alcohol, chocolate, coffee, dried fruit and some smoke. But there’s also a strange undefined spicy aroma that is not all pleasant. Round sweet taste with quite a lot of alcohol. Also roasted malt, spices, orange, caramel and a mix of spices that sits far better in the mouth than in the nose, still, the spices are very difficult to nail down. Creamy mouthfeel and the ending is not that bitter.

Bottled, batch nr. 453, BBE 130914. Dark brown beer with tall but fading beige head. Very enjoyable smooth and soft beer. Roasty malts, chocolate and bitterness in the taste. Quality stuff.

Tap at Falling Rock. Deep black appearance with a sizable cream black head. Appearance is quite similar to an Imperial Stout. Sweet dark malts, a piney, and even a bit minty nose. Bushy, piney, minty, creamy dark chocolate malty flavor. Spicy like many Holiday beers but more natural and not overally spicy.

Almost has the appearance of a stout with a dark brown body and tan head that leaves nice lacing. Aromas and flavors of burnt caramel, dark chocolate and some coffee. Creamy mouthfeel and bitter finish. Very good beer that masks the alcohol well.