Nordic Swell
DuClaw Brewing Co.

There's a pretty good looking brew resting temporarily in a clear glass liter mug. The color is a bright copper-amber, a bit of which carries into the head. The head is a little too foamy and it's not receding evenly. Norwegian yeast cultures known as kveik usually bring some pronounced aroma and it does so here. Within the yeast can be found some malt and some hops, but this is a yeast driven smell. Unlike the esters within many Belgian strains, there's less fruitiness and more earthiness to this. But, this ale also allows some malty sweetness to do battle with that, a proper bittering by the hops and a good hint at the 9% ABV. Whatever the contributors, this is one flavorful concoction. After the malty sweetness there's plenty of hopping which adds more to the overall flavor than the yeast, especially at the finish. There, the hops and alcohol take a hard turn from the malt and yeast connection that makes most of the drinking sensation here earthy, but on the sweet side. The finish is sort of amazing in its transition to bitter. There are no subtleties here, this is bold in every taste aspect. The overall mouthfeel suffers a bit because of the alcohol bite, but the body is reasonably good. Not good is the last visual, the glass lacing, or what little there was.

 

 

 

Hits my Founders 14 oz snifter coppery and produces a good cream colored head that lingers.,.,.
Smell is straight up DFH 90, familiar, but that’s just an introduction to the experience.
Taste is wandering a little at first. But that’s a good thing. Can’t quite put my finger on where I recognize it. Kind of like hearing a song for the first time.
“Sounds like dot dot dot.,. “
Iced tea with a hint of honey is present.
The yeast! It sits at the tip of my nose. I look at the can and it says it’s a ‘Nordic strain’. Being a fan of True Norwegian Heavy Metal, I bang my head for a moment. (She says I’m crazy.,.)
Complex. Nice long finish with lingering tongue action that may be attributed to the clove that the can says is used in the brew, but I don’t get as a flavor.
Little oily in the best of ways. Lingers.
Lace stays on top and drizzles down like icicles on a roof in Oslo.
Let it warm a tad.,. work its majick.
Mosh pit in the glass brings forth the secrets of the brewmaster’s vision.
I see it, smell it, feel it, taste it.
Overall, an excellent DIPA from a right fine brewery that deserves distribution.
I bet a pull off a clove cigarette would kick my teeth in.
Well done!

 

Very nicely done malty Double. Pours a dark amber with great lacing. The Nordic yeast is apparent with a great malt profile. Reminds me alot of 90min IPA but a little more herbal and fruity. If this is just a "one off" its a shame. I would definitely buy this again.

This was a very boozy and bitter surprise...

I really enjoyed this beer, the look was an appealing hue of orange with frothy head, and the smell was very complex - all of the spices and herbs advertised on the can. Truly a special double IPA, the flavor followed along the lines of the the smell profile and the mouthfeel was medium-bodied. Another great offering from DuClaw, one of my faves...

Found this at Total Wine. Looks great on the pour---cloudy amber, with ample head and tons of lace. Aroma is apples, honey and hops. Taste is complex and every sip brings out different flavors, This brew is exploding with hints of apple, citrus and pine. Made with ancient Norwegian yeast cultures known as 'Kveik'. Also has wildflower, clove, orange blossom honey and chamomile tea. At 9% ABV, its sneaky strong and sticky and gets more boozy as it warms. Haven't had many Imperial IPAs , but this is an outstanding beer....DuClaw hit a home run with this one!