On tap at the brewery. When you enter OMB, there is a sign on the outside stating which beers they serve. One is Chief Stout. On the inside there is a board that amongst the other beers says Stout III. Chief Stout is not mentioned. At the bar, the menu says Imperial Stout. Quite confusing I think, and at two of my earlier visits, none of the staff has been able to give me a good explanation of this, but last week I finally got it; Their beer is an imperial stout called Chief Stout, and it is taxed as a class III in Norwegial legislation. I think it is too weak to be called an Imperial stout. Class III is a retired system, but people still use it. Well, back to the beer. It is black, with a very dense, lasting, medium-sized tan head. Aroma is coffee and roasted malts. Flavor too, but there’s bitterness too there. Full-bodied with a dry, bitter finish. (051123)

Medium, quickly subsiding white fine-laced head. Translucent dark red body. Floral hops aroma, with some resin. Taste is not too heavy, with a strong hop kick, very bitter. Dry, malty, hoppy aftertaste with burnt and resin notes. A bit too bitter for this little taste, I think. Not bad, but not their best. (On tap @ OMB.)

Largish, creamy, off-white head which lasts forever. Body is black and only the faintest hints of red can be spotted through it. A very good-looking beer. Faint, roasty aroma. Taste is faint to begin with, then goes all coffee, burnt toast, charcoal and faint smoky notes. Very dry. Hops can be detected, but only just. Burnt flavours linger. This is more like an Irish stout than an imperial, IMHO. Anyway, a very good stout. (On tap @ OMB.)

Served ice cold; had to warm it manually. Medium offwhite head; deep, dark and faintly hazy body with carbonation. Sweetish licorice aroma with metallic, resiny hops. Taste is again resiny hops followed by roasty, burnt malts. Watery mouthfeel made chewy by the carbonation. Aftertaste is powdery, dry malts and bitterness. Acidic with notes of wild berries. This is OK, but not really a Christmas beer. Taste elements are OK, but the combination is not that great. (0.5l on tap.) (Previous rating 2006-01-11: 6/4/6/3/15. Average, creamy off-white head over hazy red translucent body. Harmonic aroma of caramel malts and floral hops with pine notes. Sweet malty flavour quickly followed by a nice, dry aftertaste that’s malty, slightly sourish, and very hoppy. Very bitter for a Christmas beer. Hoppy, dry aftertaste lingers. Quite good, and quite interesting. (On tap @ OMB.))

Small creamy white head on clear copper body with some ongoing carbonation. Light, floral hoppy aroma with notes of pine. Taste is again light, and mostly floral hops, somwhat bitter, with a kind of golden sweetness to the hop taste. No real aftertaste. Not at all bad, but perhaps a little boring. (On tap @ OMB.)

On tap at the brewery. Dark brown with a small beige head. Nice lacings. Fruity and hoppy aroma with coffee and chocolate. Flavor is mostly american hops, chocolate and coffee. Medium body and bitter finish. More fruity than their stout. (051123)

On tap at the brewery. Clear, golden with a small white head. Citric aroma with tropic fruits. Flavor is much the same, with a bitterness that doesn’t taste like hop bitterness. Medium body and quite fizzy. (051123)

Draught at the brewpub. Served far too cold. This is a seasonal Yule/Christmas ale. Deep reddish brown colour, hazy. Pleasant malty aroma and flavour with caramel and spices. A bit too carbonated for my taste.

Rerate, 500 ml bottle, brewed at Telemark Mikrobryggeri. ABV is 6.5%. Malts are pale and crystal, hops are Zeus, Golding, Cascade, Citra and Columbus. Hazy deep golden / orange to amber colour, large off-white head. Distinct aroma of spruce, pine and citrus, also herbs. Herbal and piney flavour, grapefruity bitterness. Good beer! Original rating: Draught at the brewpub. EBC 18.2, IBU 23. Deep golden colour, slightly hazy, good thick head, moderate carbonation. Dominant Cascade aroma and flavour. Quite good IPA.