Dark Honey Beer
Olde Hansa

 

Reviewed from notes taken at Olde Hansa in Summer 2014. Paired with bear meat.

AROMA: Muted as hell. All I get is a whiff of zwicklbier-redolent malt. Light.

TASTE: Marvelous honey flavours present fresh and genuine. Fantastic mead-like honey sweetness. Dark caramelized honey. Did I mention honey?

In spite of its honey dominance, it's not too thick or too sweet. Impeccably balanced, with an excellent build, tasting like a gestalt harmonious whole of a beer. One of the best honey beers I've had.

Good depth of flavour. Long flavour duration. Above average flavour intensity. Cohesive. They really committed to the honey; this is excellent stuff and in no way artificial.

TEXTURE: Near perfect. Smooth, wet, refreshing. Aptly medium-bodied and perfectly carbonated. Quenching and approachable, this mouthfeel complements the honey taste brilliantly without ever feeling too thick or syrupy.

Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy.

OVERALL: One of the most drinkable honey beers I've ever had. Pairs wonderfully with food. Downright fantastic. It's in the best of its class amongst Baltic honey beers, and is a must-try when in Tallinn in spite of the obnoxiously touristy vibe of Olde Hansa itself (and its old town pricing).

B+ (3.87) / VERY GOOD

***
Rating from Summer 2015 at Olde Hansa:

Probably the best honey beer in the world, and almost everything a honey beer should be. A must try, and even a year after first having it it's still what I think of when I think of the best beer from Estonia.

High B+ / VERY GOOD

Served in a clay tankard with the small head just visable under the rum. The honey taste is mellow and sweet. Mouthfeel is quite the nice. This beer is very refreshing and drinkable. Well balanced with a very nice aftertaste. Olde Hansa is an amazing establishment brewing old recipes in the original methods!