Sigtuna Midvinterblot (2012)

Brewed by Sigtuna Brygghus
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Arlandastad, Sweden

Serve in Shaker, Snifter

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Wow, Sigtuna continues a logarithmic improvement curve of its brews! This is a very nicely composed "imperial" (god, I hate thate term for beers) porter, with massive and complex aroma and taste while maintaining a nice balance. This is an "advanced" beer that still tastes like beer. The roasted malts gives the brew a nice touch of coffee and bitter dark chocolate. Impressively "thin" for its 8% ABV, which means that I can enjoy the whole bottle for once...

(Bottle, 0.33 l - BBE 2014-12-14, from Systembolaget, 20130412) The beer poured black. Its head was medium sized and light brown. Aroma had roasted malts, chocolate and liquorice. Palate was full bodied and quite dry with medium carbonation. Flavours were roasted malts, chocolate, ash, hops, coffee and bitterness. Aftertaste was hoppy, roasty and bitter. A tasty and balanced strong dark beer.

33cl bottle. Black color with a small tan head. Roasted malt, coffee, dark chocolate and some licorice in the aroma. Sweetish roasted malt flavor with notes of coffee and dark chocolate. Medium to full body, some bitterness in the finish.

330ml bottle. Dark brown with a small brief whitebrown head. Roasted malt, mature plums, cold coffee, darkk chocolate fudge, licorice and pumpernickle. A bit sweet and dry taste. Fizzy carbonation, small bubbles. Nice warmth from alcohol in the aftertaste, and an aroma that reminds me of red wine. Not at all bad, but perhaps a bit smooth and mild for an IP, which is wh I’m savin one for next year.

330ml Bottle - Black with a foamy tan head. Roasted malt, plain chocolate and liquorice in the aroma. Rich and roasted taste with notes of coffee, salt liquorice, Bournville and roasted malt. Smooth, luxurious and easy to drink.

Appearance: Black color with a nice big bubbly beige head. Fine lacing.
Aroma: Roasted malt, chocolate and some fruity notes.
Palate: Thick oily body. Slightly sweet, with a mild bitterness. Creamy carbonation.
Taste: Cold coffee, chocolate, roasted malt and some fruity notes. Well hidden alcohol.
Overall impression: Well balanced and smooth. Lovely beer. And I can still not spot the difference between Imperial Stout and Imperial Strong Porter. I thought this was an Imp Stout.
Personal stats: Bottle from Systembolaget in Strömstad, Sweden.

0.33 l bottle, thanks hanniku! Opaque black color. Sweet roasty aroma with soft licorice, nuts, coffee, chocolate and vanilla. Sweet coffeish roasty taste with licorice, dark and hint of wood. Full bodied, soft warming palate. Very pleasant and drinkable porter.

Bottle at ChrisO Holiday Tasting, London - thanks to Ronny. Pours clear, dark brown with a fine, beige foam head. Rich dark malt nose, cocoa, torched wood. Medium sweet flavor with light, dry chocolate, burnt wood, bitter dirt. Medium bodied with fine carbonation. Lightly warming on the finish, more bitter earth, baking cocoa, dry chocolate, dirt. Decent stuff.

Bottle at ChrisO tasting, thanks to Ronny, 30/12/12. Very dark mahogony brown with a thin tan head that clears to the edge. Nose is roast malt forward, dark toffee, a little hoppage, chocolate notes. Taste comprises roast malts, chocolate, toffee, sweet sugars, background hops. Full end of medium bodied with soft carbonation leading to a sweet roasty finish. Good stuff!