22-Apr-07 (330-ml bottle, 4.7%: Obtained 23-Oct-06 in an International trade with bogdi1, thanks Juha!) When I first started pouring this golden-hued beer into my glass, I had to think the bottle was mislabeled. A dark lager? Only by emptying all 330 ml into the glass has the amber color given me the impression of a dark lager. The beer has poured with virtually no head, quickly settling to a mere dusting. The honeyed, toasted bread aroma is of modest interest but otherwise, it’;s a typical lager smell along with strong hints of oxidation and damp cardboard if the vapors are allowed to coagulate in the bowl by leaving the goblet undisturbed for a minute or so. A quick swirl releases pleasant, tea-like aromas and is perhaps the high point of this beer. Toasty, lightly sweet malts are the obvious focal point of the flavor. A bit of grassy hop flavor and bitterness manages to offer some balance, but it’;s certainly not on equal footing with the toasty maltiness. Unfortunately, the cardboard flavor is stronger than the aroma and is occasionally a distraction. Unexpectedly, though, as the sips begin to accumulate, the delicate hop bitterness sticks on the palate and leaves a lasting impression. Body is light-medium with the tiring tendency of the cardboard being offset by the gentle, refreshing nature of the hops. Carbonation is also light-medium, and higher levels would be preferred. Overall, this isn’;t all that enjoyable, but the tumultuous journey half-way around the world, and then the six months in cool storage at my place has probably had some impact as well.

Bottle 0,33 l as Ekenäs Dark Lager. Dark amber/copper, bubbly small head. Nose is fresh (hoppy?), syrup. Flavor is vienna-style syrup/caramel malty, sourish, bitter in a way I can’t say if it’s hops or roast. Propably both. Metallic when cold, nasty sour bitter when warm. Thinnish body, soft carb. Mixed bag, yet there’s something intriguing which calls for more. Unique..

Sampled at the RBESG08 grand tasting. Clear amber, medium off-white head. Bland caramelly malt aroma, abit too sweet.

Dark copper with foamy white head. Nose is roasted, a bit buttery and herbal. Roasted malty flavor with dry fruits and herbal hops. Nicely hopped and dry, lingering (again) herbal finish. Almost medium bodied, average carbonation. Nice spicy dunkel, one of the best Stallhagens so far!