(Can 44 cl) Beautiful clear amber with a small, white head. Weak aroma of caramel. Light-bodied with notes of roasted malt and caramel. A hint of sweetness, but almost no bitterness. And suddenly it’s gone without anyone really taking notice. 041105

Can. The beer is copper/brown in color with an off-white head that disappeares to fast. Aroma is almost non-present but hints of malt is present. As it is very little taste in the beer, it is quite drinkable in large volumes, but the taste is to me more like a dark lager than what is a brown ale in my opinion. Unfortunately for Mack, I don’t think they have success in making something special, and this is a beer that I won’t return to too often. (050905)

(500 ml can.) Mack Bryggeri in Tromsø, the worlds northernmost commercial brewery (there’s a brewpub further north) is a macro brewery by Norwegian standards (not by American!), but they have recently also bought a full micro brewery equipment in order to brew "niche" beers (= ales, mostly) as a welcome change in the Norwegian pale lager desert. You have to give them props for trying, even if the results are not remarkable (and I’m not sure that the "micro" varieties, all named "Ludwig" something after the founder of the brewery, will help them out of their financial problems). Their attempt at a brown ale has a deep golden brown colour and pours with a large head. Aroma is yeasty and fruity (apples). Flavour is very mellow, some maltiness but not much else. Minimal hoppiness. Flat and bland finish. If Mack’s purpose is to brew a truly GREAT brown ale, they have a long way to go ....