[Another century is turned and celebrated by enjoying a Mikkeller beer, this time 6300] A hazy dark orange, leaning towards amber, beer with a thick, but very fluffy tan head. The aroma is dominated by hops of American origin, is it Cascade and/or Chinook, which gives it a touch of grapefruit, while a note of caramel is lingering in the back ground. The flavor has a powerful malt base on top of which is a powerful hop presence, which at first gives the beer notes of grapefruit, and oranges, but the flavor also contains notes of caramel, yeast, and peaches. Towards the end the hops gives the beer a note of straw, before a lovely quite bitter and dry end sets in, with notes of grapefruit and caramel lingering for a long time. Inspite of the strength a very refreshing beer, where the bitterness invites You to take another sip.

Bottled. Cloudy amber appearance. Aroma is fruity with loads of cascade hops aroma with the classic citrus aroma. Flavour is fruity and very soft. Bitter finish. A nice IPA.

Draught. Sweet liquorice aroma. Black colour, very small brown head. Peppery flavour, OK balanced with some citric hoppiness. A bit sour which is also good for the balance.

Bottle. Clear brown colour with a big off-white head. Sweet malty smoky aroma. Sweet malty slighty roasted flavor with some nice smoked hints. Malty smoky warming aftertaste.

Bottled. Pours jet black, with a small tan head. I had it too cold, unfortunately, but on the second pour the head got bigger and creamy. It looks almost oily in the glass. Lots of chocolate and coffee in the nose, with some hops and quite a deal of roasted notes. Lots of flavor, with the same elements as in the aroma. A bit too much Co2, but except for that, it feels good in the mouth. Long, dry, roasted and lightly astringent finish. Another great brew from Mikkeller. (060519)

October 2005 bottle from Engelsmann shared with SuIIy May 2006
Bountiful, dark olivine-tinged coal-black body supports a ash-rubbed dark sienna brown head. Nearly immovable and fills the sides of the glass with sticky lace. Plenty of sediment lies undisturbed at the bottom of the bottle.
The nose is packed with rich, sweet toffee-like malt notes that mix with a strong milk chocolate (also sweet) before becoming lightly fruity (almost a roasted barley vinousness) and finally dried out by coffee (black, rich, french roast-like coffee notes). Sweet, creamy, vanilla-like sugars seem to crowd the very beginning of the aroma and the transition from start to finish is very abrupt and shocking to my nose. With extended warming and breathing, I get a trace of alcohol in the nose, on the very end, mixed in with the bitter black notes and roast.
Sweet chocolate, tempered lightly by poigant roasted notes (dried figs, coffee beans, salty toffee) builds up quickly, and through the middle the creamy sweet caramel, chocolate and vanilla-cream sugars really hang on the palate. But everything is blown away by the massively bitter, acidic and darkly malted finish, laden with both hop acids and black coffee notes.
The carbonation was a touch too loose, or perhaps I just drank it too warm? Odd because it’s naturally carbonated and formed a wonderful head (maybe more an influence from the oats?). But residual sugars seemed to create a heaviness on the mouth, nearly syrupy with, perhaps, an oat-like gelatinousness? (though not cloying). I love an unfiltered texture and a thick, rich body, but things just seemed a little too loose for all of the rich flavors. I also was a little turned off by how powerful and forceful the flavors were. It moves from very sweet to very bitter quickly. Quite extreme, too much so for me, but certainly a well-made beer. I’d love to try another bottle (and hopefully will soon).

(Bottle 50 cl) As "Mikkeller Centennial IPA". Hazy orangey brown with a handsome, beige head with good retention. Fat - but still fresh - hoppy aroma, some flowers in there. Full body with a sweet base of caramel. The Centennial hops are clearly dominating, first fresh and fruity but it gradually builds up on your palate and the beer finishes very bitter. Wauw, and the head still stands after the liquid is gone. 230606

On tap at Cph Beerfestival. Amber, almost clear, without carbonation, and some white bubbles on top. Sour and yeasty aroma with green apples. Quite citric and astringent flavor, with apples and barnyard. No cherries tasted. Tart and astringent mouthfeel, but surprisingly no alcohol, even though it is a bit warming. Not a classic, but an interesting experiment with a pleasant outcome. (060519)