Nøgne Ø God Jul

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

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

In the bottle at the 2007 Crescent Moon Holiday Beer Tasting. Mostly black in color with a suggestion of sepia brown. Has a quickly disappearing dark beige head. The aroma of PDQ chocolate mix in milk. A very silky palate. The texture rings the tongue. Slightly smoked, but a BIG chocolate bolus throughout. This is like a southern chocolate pie!

This Jul is another jewel I had at Eulogy in Philly (labeled Winter). Even the label looks cool - understated in a Nowegian sort of way. Nothing understated in the bottle. Pours like a ribbon of foggy midnight under a small tight dark khaki head. Lots of caramel and toffey up front in the aroma with a little coffee and some spice as well. The flavor initially reminded me of those old fashioned Chunky "bars" with raisins - lots of chocolate complimented by raisins at first, followed by roasted coffee, mild herbal notes and some more dark fruits (restrained). Surprising hoppy bite in there as well. Texture is spot-on and silky with just a little prick of carbonation. Complex and sweet finish but with a respectable hop note to clean it up and give it a dry quality as well. A really well done Winter Seasonal that I’d be more than proud to serve again and again.

Big, creamy, off-white head; black opaque body going brownish round the edges. Subdued sweetish toffee aroma with hints of chocolate, coffee, and citrusy hops. Deep, sweet coffee taste, well rounded, ending in a nicely rounded dry, roasty aftertaste. Strong notes of citrusy hops run underneath the taste from start to finish, and is a nice contribution. Taste not that powerful, but deep and lovely. An excellent Christmas beer.

Had this for Christmas this year, but that was just before I started to get seriously hooked on rating every single beer I drink. Thus, I had to give it a second go, although it now cost me twice the money since the only place to get it these days are in pubs. Oh well. Pours a deep brown body, almost black, with a foamy caramel head. Smell is of burnt almonds, dark malts and raisins, with hints of clove. Very drinkable and delicious palate. Smooth and yet determined taste; sweet dark malts, some dried fruits and a nice, hay-like hop bitterness to balance. Hints of clove, pepper and smoked wood. Some clove, ginger, herbs, coffee. Can be sipped as well as drank a bit faster, like a good porter. God Jul is one of the most complex Xmas beers I’ve had; barely staying within the Scandinavian seasonal tradition while still branching elegantly into new territory. Finely done, Nøgne Ø.

2007 vintage. I enjoyed this at Delilah’s 12th annual Winter Beer Tasting in Chicago, IL. Appearance dark maple brown, slightly cloudy, rich tan head. Aroma of maple syrup, alcohol, hint of spices, very nice. Taste of bourbon, malts, somewhat rich, little creamy, fantastic. Out of the 20+ holiday beers sampled at this event, this was the best one.

Bottle thanks to DScanlan. Pours black and opaque with a fizzy tan head. Very rich and complex nose. Big on bourbon and caramel. Also some vanilla, mocha, molasses and maybe even a hint of tangerine. Though surprisingly mild, the flavor is equally as complex. Semisweet up front with a bold bitter finish. Hints of wood come through. Definitely improves as it warms. Smooth and a little bit creamy. This is a perfect beer for a cold night.

500ml bottle. Dark brown body with creamy head. Aromas and taste of chocolate, coffee and roasted malts. Fantastic Christmas beer.

Bottle. Lots of malt on the aroma. Taste is big malty, chocolate, some spices. Very well balanced. Delicious