It is with great exitement that I welcome this beer to be consumed, first-timer for me… The presentation is lightly yellow in colour and a little clouded. Carbonization levels are high as usual in this beer category. Nose is boosted by the yeasty aromas of green apples, lime and dry white wine. Very fruity and acidic even in smell, so there’s not such a surprise to find this prolonged in the taste-which kicks of very acidic, with a very, very light body. Could’ve benefitted from a little more body as well as aftertaste. Should be great for late varm summer nights, this.
Haandbryggeriet «Vinter» (7%) 5/6
Mirky and strictly yellow in colour- more so than golden, but little (if any) sedimentation. High level of carbonization produces large head when pouring. Lightly fruity aroma, not overdone in any way… Hints of citrus. Taste is fruity, more and more so for each sip. Starts off in a light manner, quickly becomes definable and eventually, an orange grows inside your mouth. Strong fruity taste, but also very clean, comfortable fruityness which is longlasting. Nice long aftertaste of orange too. A leader amongst the saisons I’ve tasted yet.
Haandbryggeriet «Surpomp» (8%) 5/6
Dark ale, not even close to transparent. Pours small head. The nose is cherries, raisins, flowers and oak. As far as tastewise, it tastes stingy and fresh, with a very sour cherry-twist that sets in quickly… One can barely sense the fruity comfort before shivers are sent through the body. There’s an underlying sweet, fruity carpet in the back that in turn shows it’s precense, band the taste lingers with good lenght. The aftertaste is redwine from the storage in barrels.
Nøgne Ø «Summer Sommer» (7,5%) 3/6
Medium golden for the eye, with lots of head. Somewhat fruity and sweetish aroma. Less sense of freshness than expected/hoped for, but the sweet fruity features are still present in taste. Subtly bitter undernotes and generally weak tasteexperience in contrary to the expectations, which one should be able to expect from a summerbeer with 7,5 ABV. There are also traces of honey in here.
Lervig/Nøgne Ø «We love wheat» (7,9%) 4/6
Haandbryggeriet «Humlekanon» (7,5%) 4/6
Lervig «Farmhouse IPA» (6%) 4/6
Veholt «Humlehelvete» (8,3%) 5/6
Medium dark brown colour and subtle aroma of fruity hops, is what this imperial IPA gives away. Coated with small hat, expectations are high as the ceiling, being all too familiar with this proceeder’s original, Two Captains (Nøgne Ø, which the brewer won the brewing contest that led to the mentioned beer with). Little carbonization, but exactly the same delicious, massive fruity vibes of T.C.- only that it’s not overshadowed by the hops. Maltsweetness in combination with spruce tips, citrus, green apples and a hint of caramel, before mild, outstandingly great hopfeatures sends the mind off to summerly assocciations, slowly puts a fading final to this exeptionally work of art. Velvety bitter layer surrounds the gums. At least on par, if not better than «the original».
Haandbryggeriet “Tornerose” (8%) 4/6
Immediately to the eye, the colour can best be described as a fusion of orange/brownish/pink. Definite smell of berries: Raspberries, cherries- and rose leaves. Taste is lightly acidic and lightly fruity, with a small bitter hint at the end. Underneath, subtly spiced, all the while calm and well tasty.