Nøgne Ø God Jul

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

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

courtesy of oh6gdx - opaque dark ruby-brown colour with a fine and stable beige head; beautiful lace; a bit toasty, rich aroma of prunes, honey and some undefined spices; sweet and clean mouthfeel, good malt backbone; slightly salty and bitter with a long dry aftertaste of dark chocolate and spices - a superb beer which invites to meditation

Bottle at RBESG Grand Tasting, August 2005. Very dark colour - almost black. Vinous, chocolatey and full bodied. Plenty of burnt malt character. Unexpectedly bitter, making this surprisingly easy drinking. Didn’t really pick up the spices very clearly. I often find Christmas beers a bit cloying and hard going but I’d be happy to drink this one all night. The alcohol doesn’t intrude too much.

1pt .9oz bottle labeled Winter Ale. Poured a dark/deep reddish-brown color with a larged sized tan head. Aromas of bread, roast, chocolate, and I’m getting some spiciness. Tastes of roast, chocolate, dark fruits, caramel, and a trace of brown sugar. Alcohol well hidden. Interesting. When I dumped the last of the bottle in my glass, in came a bunch of large chunky floaters (or should I call them sinkers).

Bottle from River’s Bend. Poured dark brown color with an average fizzy brown head that lasted and produced good lacing. Heavy complex toasted nutty malt and alcohol aroma. Medium to full body with a sticky texture. Heavy balanced nutty bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of long duration. This is a standout beer.

500 ml bottle (Winter Ale). Very dark brown, ruby tinted beer with a thick and very persistent tan head. Quite sticky. Sweet molasses and toffee with a heavy toasted hazelnut and almond character as well. A touch of licorice and milk chocolate. Soft leathery character through the middle. The flavour is great, sweet rich chocolate, toasted nuts and leather. A lot of milky/lactic sweetness up front that serves as a counterpoint to the leathery dryness. Lots of dark malts, fairly complex and well-balanced. Sort of a cross between sweet stout and strong ale. Very creamy palate. A bit of smoke and oatmealy richness. Lovely beer.

Bottle sampled on 3/12/07: Pours a nearly opaque with dark mahogany edges and a thin-lacing froth of dark tan head. Aroma of sweet earthy dark caramel malts with a touch of light spice. Body starts sweet and earthy with some sticky dark caramel and a drier lingering milk chocolate finish.

Zu Beginn ist die herb-süße Mischung gelungen und unterstützt das kräftige Karamellmalz deutlich. Diesen Part übernimmt später die alkoholische Würze, das Malz wird um ein vielfaches kräftiger. Hierbei steigt vor allem die Karamelligkeit und damit die Süße, die Röstnoten weniger. Süffiges und stark malziges Bier mit langem holzig-süßmalzigem Abgang – nicht schlecht! 12/12/11/12/12/12

Bottle. Red black colour with light brown head. Roasted coffee and chocolate in the aroma. Balanced roasted coffee and chocolate in the flavour. Pleasent finish.