4.5

@ 2017

7

Backlog

7.4

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

One of the winter ales from this Danish craft brewer, bottle from De Caigny, apparently made at Italy's Brewfist. Thickly but very irregularly 'membrane'-lacing, creamy, dense, pale yellowish beige-tinged, remarkably stable head over a misty, very dark but still translucent, red wine-like burgundy-hued dark bronze-brown beer. 'Thick' aroma of 'black' and soggy rye bread, spiced orange bread, dish-gravy and even a faint dash of meat juice from a steak done rare, rabbit stewed with dried prunes, strong salmiak and some licorice candy, black olives on top of a focaccia, Angostura bitters, star aniseed, cloves, gin, background hints of dry leather, vermouth, dried shiitakes, fresh moss, dried banana slices, coffee grounds, Jägermeister, blood-like iron. Dried fruits in the onset but not abundantly so and nowhere really sweet, instead some bitterness and even saltiness is apparent early on, with a dash of sourishness and a clear 'rim' of umami reminiscent of gravy or fresh porcini. Softish carbo, thick and 'heavy' mouthfeel, yet not really oily or vinous but nevertheless very smooth thanks to the oats; thick layers of burnt nut- and black toast-like malts build up in the middle, hardly containing any sweetness at all and intensifying the bitter and salty notes from the onset, with a dim, 'dark grey' rye spiciness being clearly noticeable. Ends bitter toasted, but not in a coffee-like way; spiciness sits on top of that, with a strong emphasis on licorice - or indeed, combined with that salty touch, salmiak. Ethereal, almost volatile anise-like phenolic notes too, but very faintly so; more than anything, a very, very strong, if not harsh, very resinous, very tonic water- and bitterroot-like hop completely bitterness rules the final stage, but this is hardly a surprise as its presence could already be felt in the first sip... This resinous bitterness lingers and lingers, coloured by a soft glow of warming, bitter liqueur- and gin-like alcohol, while the toasted malt bitterness sticks to the root of the tongue as well, only to reinforce the considerable hop bitterness. Feels like a strong, spiced Cascadian dark ("BIPA") of sorts, yet lacking in roastedness and in New World hop fragrance - a weird beer for sure, probably linking the Danish (or generally Scandinavian) tradition of ancient spiced ales with what is indeed best characterized as 'American strong ale' in its uncompromizing, in this particular case even somewhat harsh hop bitterness. Extremely bitter and dry, this is almost a beery equivalent of gentian liqueur, but I think a bit more (malt or even candi sugar) sweetness to balance the bitterness and the umami factor, which is also relatively pronounced here, could do this beer good, as in this form I am convinced that many will find it rather hard to drink - but that may just be my old Belgian palate speaking. And then, it is intended as a slow 'winter sipper' anyway, so... In any case a very bold and audacious, many-faced Danish craft brew, with enough complexity to remain interesting till the last sip.

7

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Draught at Tap10. Dark amber colour with a thin off-white head. Sweet aroma with caramel malts, spiced notes, liquorice, nuts, brown cookies and a lightly toasted note. Taste is light sweet. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and a soft carbonation. Finishes drying and bitter with liquorice and caramel malts. A grassy bitterness. Nice Winter Warmer.

8.8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

Tasting glass draft @ Billie’s Bier Kafétaria. Very dark brown to black, huge collapsing coffee head. Nose is wine gummies, sweet liquorice, Christmas spices, liquorice root, bark, some massive spice that I cannot place. Taste is same sweet red wine gummies, liquorices, bitter liquorice root, candy, clove, massive Christmas-like spice that I cannot place. Very interesting Christmas thick spice red wine gummy brew, quite liked it. More than most Ghost beers.

7.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 9

Draught at KØ17. Good fruity aroma. Black colour, seems hazy. Big creamy light brown head. The flavour is jammy and fruity. Dark bread note and roasted finish.

6.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

Flesje gedeeld tijdens proeverijtje. Goudgeel roodachtig troebel bier met stevig schuim. Aroma is hoppig. Smaak is kruidig en hoppig. Nasmaak is iets bitter .

7.3

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Bottle @ home shared with TomHendriksen, Inoven and Roelzie1986. Dark brown color with a red glare coming through. Smell and taste malts, roast, slightly smoke, some coffee, firm bitterness. Medium body and carbonation. Not bad.

7.2

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Fles gedeeld door Benzai, geprobeerd met Inoven en Roelzie1986. Het is een donker bruin bier met een lichtbruin schuim. Het heeft een goede hoppige smaak.

7.1

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle at home. Pours deep ruby, nose is smoky, malty, biscuity, taste is sweet, caramel, malty, meaty, light fruit.