“This is ale; it is also a wine, and a coffee drink.” Dark Horizon 3rd edition.

Dark Horizon from Nögne Ø is darker an more powerful than Darth Vader or as the brewery describe it; an imperial stout on steroids. Brewed in Norway 03.07.2008. Strength15,5% vol. Numbered 0,25 cl bottles. “Inspiration from the US Midwest, malt from England, bottles from Germany, name from Japan, sugars from Mauritius, hops from the Pacific rim, Yeast from Canada, coffee from Colombia, brewed in Grimstad, Norway.” Ingredients: Grimstad water, malted barley, sugars, coffee, hops, yeast” My experience is that speciality beers is best tasting when aged for a couple of years. It develop much more complex and round aromas. The alcohol is still strong but not so dominant. On the label you can read: We cannot tell you what this is like. You are the boss of your own senses! Taste, evaluate, detemine and enjoy! Kaffikas tastingnotes: Eye: Darker than black opaque with firm bown head. Nose: Volatile alcohol, dark sweet…

Continue Reading →

After 10 months of ageing it became the perfect beer. Nögne Ö Special Holiday Ale 2010.

In December 2010 I blogged about NØGNE Ø´s season ale a compact Christmas feeling- beer. I wrote that I should age one bottle for five years. The bottle however has not been stored in a calm and even temeperature and this summer some weeks where very hot. I thought the Special Holiday Ale has been aged in a to fast pace and it was time for a new try. In December 2010 it was filled with Christmas spices but tasted a lot of alcohol. The color was the same, black opaque and latte brown head. The nose was more put together but still lot of warming aromas of cardemom. On the palate it was a big positive surprise, the texture was like cream! Extra full bodied in texture and flavours. The alcohol was well integrated in the fat and smooth texture. Now the flavours could play togehter and give a…

Continue Reading →

The Mufloni is back! Finnish referens beers from Beerhunter´s in the City of Pori.

Beerhunter´s Mufloni Dark IPA (Musta Intianpässi) 4,5% 0,33 cl Eye: Black opaque with latte brown head. Nose: Intense of yeast and citrus marmelade, coffee and chocolate. Palate: Dry, significant bitterness, citrus peel, acidic, Ecuadorian dark chocolate, coffee and it ends up with rock salt. Long length. Heavy but  soft and balanced malt bitterness. Mufloni Dark Indian Pale Ale is a combination of dark lager and an IPA . Low alcohol content and very clear and fresh in flavours. Tasting Mufloni´s is probably one of the best beer educations you can buy (unfortunately only in Finland). See also single hop.        

Lager and the yeast

An article from the Economist latest print edition. The discovery of the interloper, the half something else in the yeast hybrid that is used by lager brewers. Heady discoveries

A great food pair

Sigtuna Summer IPA, 7% 50 cl Sweden Sigtuna Brygghus Dark amber with a cream coloured thick dense head. Medium intense aromas with clear notes of summer flowers, citrus and yeast. Medium body,  strong alcohol, silky smooth and oily. Distinct hop character. Fresh lemon in the first wave continued with bitterness ,toffee and sweet flowers. Long smooth,  sweet and bitter aftertaste. A great appetizer, well balanced and a perfect food companion. Paired with salty and umami rich Västerbotten Westerbottenost cheese the sum becomes 2,5. Behind the alcohol and the bitterness you find complex fruity notes.