Damn… The aromas in this one’s carried by the wind, even as I sit down at the table. The bottle just opened is one that I’ve been looking for- and looking forward to- a lot! The legendary Stormaktsporter series from Swedens Närke is a delicate, hard-to-find one, even on home turf. But as I saw they had it at this one pub on my way to Brewskival, it is time for a pit stop.

And boy, was it worth it! Nose is heavily fig, oak and basement-orientated. Very inviting dark colours, smooth little creamy viscosity and head. Mouthfeel is nothing but superb, oaky-sweet chestnut, underlying layer of honey and humid cellar. Deeper in comes the caramelly middle, followed by darker chocolate and a tingelling sense of heat, perfectly suitable for maintaining the balance. Incredible version.