First off: We’re talking mead, not beer.

Still reading? Well, understandably so- from a personal perspective. I’ve lately gotten more and more into those delicious fruity bottles of magic- and today perhaps a little extra particularly excited, as these guys just recently won a silver medal for talent within their game. I’m gonna explore why…

The beverage is reminiscent of a somewhat red-golden colour, looks very delicate. Nose is first struck by honey (albeit not in an intense manner), all the while with a hint of peach and sweet notes.  Mouthfeel is smooth and light-bodied. The taste of elderflower provides a not-so-intense, but still subtly spiced feature which in turn transforms into plum and sugary sweetness. A light rustique aftertaste rounds off the ball.

Gosh… for a moment there, I thought I’d never see this one in my life. (Thx Andreas!) Super-limited edition from back in the days when craft beer had quite a different position than today, this is quite something.

I’ve been excited about this one for ages, and today is the day… For those who have tried  the regular Tokyo: This is quite something else.

First off: Incredible that this beautiful beast is 12 years old! Lots of aromas, highly intact. Massive oakbarrel nose, soaked in whisky. Supreme carbonisation, full and suiting body. I can best describe this experience like this: lightly subtle sweet introduction, followed by the main ingredient being smokey flavour, which overlaps back & forth with sour mash whiskey.

At the same time: Heavy body, without providing any kind of disturbance to the close-to-perfect balance. Delicious & fullbodied with lots of smooth sweetness that evolves into an exciting acidity. To round things off, this masterpiece is superseded by a megasmoked outro. This 12year old is quite simply astonishing.

Beautiful pouring in the glass, nice brownish red head. Very dark brown colour in glass. Nose is heavily oak, figs, vinous. At the moment the world is cheering for the next American president, so perfect moment to crack this piece of art from Nøgne Ø. But: Nevermind the politics, here’s beer.

Taste is suitably carbonated. Delicately acidity, wallowing over in sweet dried fruit, a super-complex taste-bomb! Small sips keeps new flavours coming up: a hint of liquorice, brown candysugars, dark berries as well as a layer of chocolate in the back. Supreme quad-like strong ale from the Norwegian masters.

Congratulations!

Been looking forward to trying this. A part of the funny gaming-concept «Green city», a series of beers that Other half has launched, this one comes in funny packaging w/box set. What we’ve got at hand today is the funny-named lvl. 2 installment.

Looking as you’d want a hop-juice to do, this is pouring a great creamy layer on top of the yellow sea in the glass. Nose reveals massive fruityness, pineapple & citric fruits in play. Elegantly hopped. Fruityness is furthermore altered in the actual taste, all the while fronted by a stingy hopflirt underneath. There’s also a foresty, earthy (perhaps lightly nutty?) touch to it.

Superb degree of bubbles gives the presentation on the palate a fresh and still smooth impression of this medium bodies Triple IPA. Coated smoothly with interesting twists & turns, it’s definetely a smooth beer. Rounds off with an ever-increasing bitterness, fading slowly.

Photo: M.K. Burheim

I remember this one from the early days of discovering craft beer- and it still holds the standard. Dark. Black as a Wintery night, great carbonated and pouring  a nice creamy head.  Subtle nose reminiscent of coffee. Taste is lightly molasses, coffee and bitterness. Light bodied with ABV well hidden, somewhat a bit thin. A tad bitter aftertaste. Still awesome.

A special occation as the better half passes the 5000 mark on Untappd, demands a special beer. What’s better than this legendary, sought-after 2020 version of Alaska’s pride, Anchorage? That’s right: A deal with none other than the horned one himself. Expectations have long ago sky rocketed with regards to this one, and it’s a matter of hopefully validating the already established fact- that this is a King amongst Barley wines.

Beautiful, simplistic esthetics, waxed can. Thick and oily running down the glass, leaving a rather small head. Aromas I’m getting is a vivid huge spectre that spans from ripe plum and deep high quality red wine, to paralyzing oaky notes. Already know this is gonna be sick right by now.

The thickness builds a perfect fundament, Sweet burning sensation. Dark, figs and dried fruit- heavy raisin-driven. There’s even a slight touch of carbonisation in here. Hints of Sweet caramel/toffee. Heat in bottom, heavy Sweet and a little sour mouth coating that’s close to everlasting. Perfection in style! I did expect that actually, but still left gobsmacked by the outstanding quality of this magnificisent work. Goddamn! This is absolutely amazing. So happy to even taste this brew. Top notch!

Photo: M.K. Burheim

Salikatt is a Norwegian brewery that seems to really have taken off the last two years. Having recently moved location and increased their capacity, they are now able to unprepared to serve a hungry Norwegian market. As with the most popular brews, their new ones now sell out quickly, leaving many thirsty beer enthusiasts. I’ve tried several, and they really are undisputed kings of the scene nowadays in Norway.

Their latest offering, “Cold Fusion” is no exception. So, what are we faced with here is another super-haze: Deep yellow, murky pouring a great head. Nose being distinctly citra notes from the hops, and very subtle fruityness apart from that. In other words, seemingly a very clean beer. And tastewise?

Super carbonization. Fresh as hell, just overall sooo clean taste. So easy to drink! Subtle vanilla notes and creamy medium body. Delicious juicy, fruity mid-section of orange and citrus, before a great adjusted touch of tasty hoppy bitterness gets into play. Eventually the suitable hopburn provides an longlasting aftertaste, tickling & tingling the tongue. Another superb work, which maintains their position. I’d have this all days next summer, please.

Photo: M.K. Burheim

As a fan of many of their brews, Haand does create a bit of excitement for me. Having explored most of their styles, I’m well aware what tricks these guys can pull and the magic they can cook up in them kettles. At hand tonight we have a bold pastry stout clocking in on a quite powerful ABV, something that might be promising for this kind of beer.

Visuals are black and thick, still producing a beautiful head when pouring. Nose is highly complex- not just the coffee roast and choc one would expect, but also with fruity notes, especially of raspberries. But also other berries and green summery fields are detectable, besides the great chocolaty coating. Smooth and balanced, this is a beer I could drink several times. Freshly carbonated at first, developing taste layers throughout and a bittersweet aftertaste rounds off this heavy-bodied beautiful beast.

Haand: 5 points to you!

Every now and then, the time seems right for a lightweight stout. With lightweight I mean not one of those massive RIS that we love so much, but more over an everyday milder stout that is a little bit easier, especcially during hot’n humid summer days. So, what’s the fine gents from my town of birth holding in store this time?

Dark (surprise!) colour that pours an esthetic large head. Nose clearly (first & foremost) roasted coffee malts. I get a light acidity as well, albeit no chocolate what so ever.

Actual taste then? Mild, fresh and sweet at first, enhancing the coffee in here. Just like the aromas, there’s very little else here than bitter coffee. No choc, no nut- absolute abscence of sweetness. I also have a hard time tracking down that Coconut that supposedly should’ve been in here, but… Perhaps it’s only me. Overall light body and good carbonation

Aftertaste is somehow a tad sour, making it a smooth stout to enjoy cold, even in the summer season.

Photo: M.K. Burheim

This one has been lying around for a while now, enough excitement-factor: Tonight’s the night!

I’m familiar with Solo’s (Jikiun’s) brews from before, have had several of them. But the other part herein is new to me, and they’re playing the main part in this one. So how does this work?

Bright yellow in the glass, on the verge to orange. Pours very little head and nose is mildly buttery and fruity of orange/carrots.   Interesting that these guys teamed up with Kjetil Jikiun, previously of Nøgne Ø fame.

Taste is comfortably sour , with a pinch of salty edge to it. There’s distinct lemon in here, and very little carrot remaining intact. Somehow sweet aftertaste rounds it off. Quite smooth for a newcomer to be!