Oster India Pale Ale
Tøsse Brygghus

Longest night of the year. I asked the bartender at Henrik øl & vinstove for a rec, any style as long as it was Norwegian, and he suggested this, so…a west coast (of Norway) ipa for this west coast (of the USA) boy. So glad to have it.

Served in a shaker, 1 finger of foamy head, modest retention, but greatly lacing. 90% clear, slightly amber but mainly gold. Nose is okay…mainly sweet fleshy grapefruit and a little pith, and some sweet bready malt. Taste adds some pine to the mix. I don’t get the caramel malt or the resiny hops I associate with many wcipas, but that’s not a criticism. There’s something else (juniper berries?) in there that lingers on the finish very nicely, but I can’t quite place it…. It is almost a little sour, but not quite. I don’t know. Modest but pleasing bitterness but doesn’t finish dry or crisp; middling body and lower carb. Would be happy to drink this one again.

On tap at Cardinal, Stavanger. Clear golden colour, moderate white head. Aroma of pine forest, hints of grapefruit and orange peel. Dry flavour of pine needles, resin and grapefruit. Bitter finish.