Winter Ale
Nøgne Ø

 

 

05. L bottle from circa 2011 into pint glass. 48 deg. F. 8.5%, 30 IBU, 19 Plato.

A-dark brown liquid with a creamy thick,dark tan head. Lacing sticks to side of glass.

S- First thing that popped into my skull was Skullsplitter. Fruitcake, dates, currants.

T-very complex. A little heat, but subdued. Starts out fruitcake, then fades to an oak astsringency, almost like butter. Then a slight roastiness after a while. Sometimes a toffee-like sensation at the end pops up too.

M-very smooth, heavy body. low carbonation.

O - Everything is nicely balanced. You would expect it to finish with a wallop, but then it just kind of creeps off with a velvety smoothness. I drank mine while eating some spicy Veggie Straws- what a combination!

 

Sampled back on 4/6/16. Comes in a 500ml (16.9 ounce) bottle that I found in the discount bin at Hy-Vee over in Council Bluffs, Iowa for just $4.00! Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured in to a "Super de Fagnes" snifter glass.

Brew pours a pitch-black in color with a good 4-5 finger foamy beige head that left LOTS of lacing seen, even after a slow pour. Aroma is of roasted malts, winter spices and dark fruit and even cola or root beer. Lots more going on with the taste and it is hard to figure out what else was in the brew. Anyway, pretty smooth with some bitterness for the finish. Full-bodied with good carbonation. Overall it was different but a good brew, IF you can find it.

A very dark, reddish brown, with a minimal dark tan head that retains well. Light aroma of dark fruit. The taste of dark roasted malt is predominant. A nice, enjoyable winter beer.

 

Been wanting to try this for some time.
A - Pours dark brown or black with a small tan head.
S - My first wiff from the bottle got me thinking of root beer. From the glass was more cola.
T - I like the flavor but I'm struggling to name it. Kind of like a raisin without the sweetness.
M - Full bodied but not thick. Above average carbonation but not too much. I feel than Belgian Stong's suffer if there is too much carbonation.
O - Admittedly I'm struggling to describe this beer. It's not very complex and they are not throwing all kinds of flavor notes at you. But I like it.

 

 

Picked up a 1/2 liter bottle in mid-July from the TW Arrowhead discount "rack" for $3.99. Marked down from $8.99.

Beer poured dark brown with a very nice tan head.

Nose was light dark fruits and winter spices.

Taste was classic Belgian dark strong ale with cinnamon and warming alcohol...nice touch for the cooler weather.

Mouthfeel was thick for the style and not light.

Overall i really liked the flavor of the beer and the warming effect. Very nice winter warmer.

Bad balance, lots of malt, poor spices.

 

Pours a dark brown with khaki colored head, almost looks like a stout. Alcohol on the nose, pretty strong, some roasted malts as well; follows onto the palate. It's only 8.5%, but it smells like it should be 15%. Pretty boozy on the flavor too.

Poured a rich deep brown body, almost translucent, with reddish brown highlights when held to light and two fingers of rich, thick tan head. A truly good looking beer. Scents of chocolate, roast malt, dark fruit, especially prune and raisin, molasses, cherries, a very slight hint of spicy rye in the background and a light smokiness. Light alcohol is present. Overall impression of aroma is of a sweet, dark beer sitting somewhat akin to a Belgian Strong Dark. Very pleasing and a very fitting aroma profile for a winter beer. Flavor begins sweet with notes of dark fruit, prune, raisin and the like, along with semi-sweet chocolate, light hints of apple, light coffee and light hints of roast malt. Middle continues to be sweet, but with a growing presence of chocolate and more roast malt appearing. Finish is moderately sweet, with the same dark fruit flavors present, however roast malt, dark chocolate and coffee have replaced apple with sweetness being molasses-like and a slight hint of spicy rye. Aftertaste is roasted malt, cocoa and spicy, earthy rye with a light smokiness. Overall impression of flavor is of a nice ale that fits fairly well to what is expected from a Belgian Strong Dark, but with some unique twists imparted by the use of rye in the malt bill. Very sweet, rich and warming, a fine ale. Mouthfeel is full bodied with moderate carbonation and a sticky, syrupy feel. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a thick, rich beer. Perfect for winter. Overall this is a fantastic ale. It has a lovely aroma and flavor, rich, sweet and satisfying. The mouthfeel aids this impression of the beer and adds a nicely sippable quality. A very good beer and if it is any indication of the brewery's quality than they are truly great at the craft.

 

 

 

 

A really fine brew, having trouble giving it 4's although I'm digging the heck out of it.

looks dark brown, 2 inch froth settles down into a thin stripe.
Smell is nothing special, not bad, just not beguiling.
Tastes real fine, a black patent note, not too much is on the aftertaste. Figgy, raiseny with that sourish charcoal note making for a clean tasting finish, a unique end note that compels one to sip on. For the style of dark belgian, it's a bit different, but in a good tasting way.

Recommended, although there's a lot of fine competitors in this category, it has something unique and different to offer. Recommended and i'd purchase again.