Nøgne Ø God Jul

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

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

Bottle (2008 "Winter Ale" edition). Head is initially large, frothy, light brown, fully lasting. Body is dark brown, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (caramel, nuts, cookie, chocolate), lightly to moderately hoppy (apricot, flowers, grapefruit, resin), with notes of raisin, anise, toffee, leather, brown sugar. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, velvety texture, lively carbonation, lightly to moderately alcoholic. Quite delightful. Rich and complex aroma, sweet and warming without being cloying, and the use of hops is quite unlike the typical American treatment (not abrasive or overdone at all). Fruity and spicy with no apparent adjuncts; still offers the essence of a winter brew without beating you about the head with spices. Very well done. I’d buy it again.

bottle, from yngwie (thanks). 8.5% appears very dark with a very small brown head. aroma is faint licorice, faint smoked stuff. flavor was quite strong and powerfull, roasted nuts/grains, syrup , burnt caramel, chocolate (dark, almost roasted) faint coffee. overall a nice brew i enjoyed.

bottle. Pours black with a 1 inch tan foamy head and some lacing. Aromas of dark cherries, figs, plums, and some roasted malts. Flavors of coffee, chocolate, dark fruits and roasted malts. There is definitely some heat from the alcohol on this one. Overall though very enjoyable.

[07 Bottle I assume, as its been sitting on the shelf at Sam’s this entire year] Pours a thicker dark deep brown with a small tan froth. Aroma is lightly tart, green apple, juicy, some roasted coffee and a touch of oats. First taste is dry, tasty dark chocolate, black malt adds that ’oat’ like creaminess I could smell, very light hint of caramel malt, the hops are pretty faded but add just a smidgen of spice. Ingredients blend flawlessly to create a unique flavor. Not nearly as plasticy as some of their other ’malt concoctions.’ This is a great PORTER.... lovely roast and chocolate. Very clean roast finish. Medium/full body with medium sized softer carbonation, balanced mouthful. I’m glad after staring at this on the shelf for almost a year I decided to pick it up.

Bottle, named Winter Ale, thanks to WeeHeavySD for sharing. Pours a clear, dark amber-brown with a tan ring. Rich, sweet and sharp aroma, of toasted malt and alcohol. Sweet, crisp taste, of toasted malt and molasses, with a hint of bitterness and wood. Lingering sweet toast flavors. Very tasty.

This is a very odd beer and I am left sort of confused. Pours almost pitch black with an enormous dark, creamy head. Aroma is cloves and alcohol. Incredibly sweet from all of the different types of malt but the hops is overpowered leaving the beer heavily unbalanced. The alcohol is strong and unpleasant. Aftertaste is bitter and also unpleasant. I would say that this beer has too many flavors flowing together at once. Overall, I would liken this to a porter that somehow skunked.

Winter ale bottle, I believe it was via trade. Pours dark dark pretty much black with a tan head. Nose is roasted and sweet but light on the aroma. Taste is sweet malty and overall quite tasty.

Very dark pour, with a thick mocha head. Looks like a porter. Aroma of roasted malt, chocolate, and alcohol, and a tiny bit of hops. Flavour is thick, and loaded with roasted malt, and some caramel, but ends with a big alcohol wallop. A definitive sipper.