Thurbo Stout

Robust oatmeal stout also containing smoked malts, a creation by Oppigårds, founded in 2003 in the first wave of postmodern Scandinavian craft breweries (though in Sweden preceded by pioneers like Nils Oscar or Nynäshamns). Vintage bottle at Akkurat. Pale yellowish beige, lightly lacing, open and thin head, quickly dissolving completely over a jet black robe with thin mahogany edges. Aroma of cold black coffee and coffee grounds, burnt toast, roasted walnuts, coffee cream, gin, wood glue, charcoal rather than the bacon-like smokiness I was expecting, whisky, black olives. Dried-fruity onset, lightly sweet with dried medlar and old raisin next to equally subtle umami (black olive), medium carbonated with oily, full mouthfeel. Roasted-nutty, hard-caramelly core with flashes of bitter chocolate and liquorice quickly moving to potent 'oldskool' roasted bitterness (black coffee), mouth-filling and accentuated by the smoky element, which again remains fairly restrained and more ashy than smoked meat-like. Roasty bitterness, leafy hops and whisky-like alcohol dominate the finish. Feels old-fashioned, especially because the smoky aspect has been kept subtle - perhaps even a tad too subtle... Very solidly made, though, firmly structured and bold in its personality, so nothing to dislike here if sturdy stouts and porters are your thing.

Bottle from Hopt. Aroma is dark roasted malt, coffee, caramel, chocolate, notes of vanilla, coffee grounds, espresso, and a touch of liquorice. Flavour is medium sweet and moderate to medium bitter. Body is medium to full. Very agreeable coffee-heavy Imperial Stout, good stuff.

Tap at Borefts 2015: Opaque black colored brew with an dry bitter taste, hints of roasted malts, chocolate and coffee.

330 ml bottle. Pours a very dark black with short foamy tan head. Aromas of dry dark chocolate and roasted malts. Flavors of rich dark chocolate, vanilla, and toasted malts. Dry, clean, and on style