Astoria Black
Ørbæk Bryggeri

Copenhagen 20/4 2019. 33 cl bottle from Ølhandleren in Give (web-shop). As "Coisbo: Astoria Black". Coisbo simple black design in black and silver with the name of the beer in yellow and the logo with the silhouette of a bottle. A bit too old and from the grand old Days before Coisbo went bankrupt.

Pours opaque dark brown with small beige head. Settles as very thin layer of foam just managing to cover the surface of the beer. Moderate Lacing.

Aroma is medium intense dark and sweet. Brown sugar, wood, roasted dark malts, sawdust, alcohol.

Light carbonation. Thick, oily, creamy, soft texture. A little sticky.

Flavor is heavy sweet followed by a medium strong coffee-like bitterness. Aftertaste is sweet with a bitter undercurrent. Lingering. Light alcoholic burn.

Nice heavy, soft, rich porter with a veiled punch well-hidden by a heavy flavor.

500 ml bottle, as Coisbo Astoria Black, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. Also available at Vinmonopolet. ABV is 7.2%. Black colour, large and lasting brown head. Pleasant roasty aroma, notes of dark chocolate and mild coffee, hints of juniper berries (when you mention it) and liquorice. Smooth mouthfeel. The flavour is also smooth and pleasant, not too sweet, not too dry, but does not lack character - again roasty notes of coffee, chocolate and liquorice, with decent hops and a hint of juniper berries. All beautifully balanced. The best I’ve had from Coisbo.