Nissefar
HaandBryggeriet

 

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown with a half finger light khaki head dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark malt, chocolate and holiday spices. Flavor of dark toasted malt, chocolate leather, cinnamon, clove and holiday spices. Finishes with spice and light grassy hop bitterness and a hint of smoke. Medium bodied with light creaminess.
A nice winter warmer with a profile that leans more towards a brown ale than an old ale, but it does have robust malt. The spicing, dark flavors and hint of smoke are quite nice for a late year ale. Nicely done.

 

 

7.0% ABV, 25-30 IBU's per the website. No other specs per the bottle or website.
Pours out to a very clear very dark walnut, forming a small tan head with average retention and lacing. The carbonation is quite low, about 1.0-1.5 carbs. The nose is of smoked malt and a subtle sweet earthiness. No hop aroma. Mouthfeel is very smooth owing to the low carbonation, but is chewy with a medium dense body. Rich. The taste is quite nice. Plenty of smoke up front surrounded by a chewy malt body, not much roast at all, however there is a very subtle black patent/roast barley flavor in the aftertaste. Firm mineral taste. Bitterness is very mild, no hop flavor. No off flavors.

A nice malty chewy smoked beer. Not a smoke bomb, but plenty to make this smoke lover happy.
Brought here from Norway from Ani and Erlend. Many thanks!

 

 

 

Pours a half finger of tan head on a dark brown body with lots of sediment floating around.
The aroma is mild chocolate, cinnamon, earth, and Christmas.
The taste has holiday spice, roasted malt, and chocolate. Nice.
The texture is soft and smooth.
Nice and enjoyable.

 

 

Bought for $6.95 on sale after Christmas. 500 ml bottle.

Appears opaque dark brown.

Smells of dark bready malt, floral ginger, maybe spruce, and some harder to define herbal spice. Swirling does not produce much additional aroma.

Taste initially is of darker roasted malts, akin to a porter without as much coffee bean acrid flavors. There is a bit of spice in the middle, but it is not easy to pick out. Bitterness is moderate to low. I was expecting some dark fruit or burnt sugar flavors for whatever reason, there none to be found. Mostly roasted malts in the flavor.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and neither sweet nor dry. Lower carbonation.

Conclusion: Not all that inspired, but not bad either. I just drank the bestefar last night and it was a bit odd, but much more complex and intriguing. This is a fine beer, and I wouldn't be disappointed if I brewed it, but I was expecting something a little bit stranger and interesting.