Another thrill to be experienced is here, in this can in front of me… and just by the odours, I can tell that we’re in for a treat. This dark yellow hop-soup gives associations to an orange soft drink that’s been a fave of mine since childhood. As I put my nose closer, I can sense notes of caramel. Deep yellow in colour, and pours a very fine head. I cannot hold back any longer…

WOW!! Light and bubbly. Immensely fruity and fresh, and with a multiple taste. Hoppy as hell, but not the directly bitter-hoppy way I am used to in double IPAs. First and foremost, it is the ripe fruityness and mango-notes that takes place in this one. Incredibly delicious, rounded off with a sweet drape. (To quote my better half: “Even the burp tastes good!”) There are also citric traces of orange, lemon and even spruce in here. Absolutely astonishing!

After the beautiful middle and great body, there is a small tingly hoppy heat to be sensed, before a long round aftertaste signs off. By far one of the best double IPAs I’ve ever tasted in my life. Hands down.

(A huge thanks to Espen @ Westum homebrewery!)

Photo: M.K. Burheim

Well, this beauty has been a long time coming… After years of storage in the cellar and more recently laid cold. Now the time is up; no more days of temptation in the fridge! With its lush looks and elegant sofistication packaging (a brown nude bottle with the label in a noose around it’s neck), it is with great excitement that we’re getting acquainted tonight. The beer looks stunning, carrying a deep red colour (almost blood-like) and traces of carbonation, despite the fact that this is a limited edition dating back to the year 2013.

Oh my god! The nose is just… I’m totally floored. That ripe fruityness, delicious cherries and other red fruits, such as raspberries and even cranberries are present, even just by smelling. The mateurity og oak-aging has helped tremendously.

Lots of bubbly action going on. Sweet candy’ish start, then transforming into tingly, teasing acidity of greatness before it’s long lasting aftertaste. Vineous and dry, this is beyond good taste, no wonder that the beer carries a gold medal award in it’s year of making. Wish I could swim in a sea of this, forever!

Photo: M.K. Burheim

Now, after reading up on this one, it’s about as close to a religious moment I’ll have this year apparently… And it sure looks fantastic. Black as night in the glass, with a suitable foamhead on top. Nose is massively infused with matured dark fruits and ripe berries, wood, bourbon hints and burnt notes. Count me in on this one, Chicago!

When it comes to taste: A variety of tastes. Starting off with beautiful sweetness of chocolate, and sort of like, say 5 seconds in, spanning over to the uttermost comfortable sour’ish side of the specter of whisky/bourbon taste (almost so that you wonder if you’ve just had a sip from a glass with that!), enhanced with heat, which in turn transforms into the most insane, rich roasted coffee taste imaginable. Gone is the fruity notes from the aromas, but what an exchange!

Mouthfeel: The body is magnificently full, like a velvety cloak dressed around the mouth gland. Perfectly carbonated (of course- this one lives up to (if not exceeds!) all of my expectations. Such quality.

Aftertaste is still lingering, minutes after swallowing… licorice… warm soothing heat. Wow. Just, WOW!

Photo: M.K. Burheim

Now, this should be quite interesting… Having saved this bottle of excitement for merely almost a decade, it is now time to taste it and see what’s in store.

Pouring reveals a devilish black color, whilst notes of licorice, fruits, dark berries strikes the nose. According to the description that I find this is supposed to be a triple/black IPA. I must say and admit that I am highly excited now! It somehow reminds me a little of Brewdog’s other flagship, Tactical nuclear penguin (albeit in a lighter version). Let’s get down & dirty…

Not at all as expected. That is the first thing that comes to mind- there is absolutely no combination left in this beer and the taste is mildly put… ehrm, mild. With no bubbles going on at all, I must say it’s over its peak for sure. Can’t say that I’m that surprised considering the length of storage ? What can I say about taste here though… mild, lightly hoppy (probably lost most of it along the way). Quite dead and bland now, not even traces of heat to be found. Well well, tick the box, I suppose one can say.

Photo: M. Burheim

I am familiar with the Delirium series from before, and from what I can remember, this is good stuff. What’s on today’s menu is their 25th anniversary “Argentum”, a hopped amber beer. When poured, it’s got a nice look to it; yellow brownish (maaaaybe a hint of red!) visuals and a good head. As far as aromas go, this smells refreshingly fruity with clear hints to citrus. A very clean impression is what I get… I can’t hold it any longer, let’s get to the taste.

Lot’s of bubbles! Carbonation level is great here, very fresh. Medium/full body. Extremely dry! A fruity, floral first impression which soon turns into absolute hop-dominance in form of a stingy bitter outro… A bit too much for my taste really. The aftertaste is just to bitter for my liking. Not eligible for a second purchase, so to speak- will go for another one from the Delirium series in that case.

(Photo: M. K. Burheim)